Here I am...28 year old man...about to highly recommend a kids' movie.
What you're probably wondering is why I, your typical guy would pass up two big budget special effects intensive action movies in The Island (with Scarlett Johansson) and Stealth (cough*Macross Plus 2K5*cough*) in order to catch a kid flick on opening night.
Two words:
Bruce. Campbell.
I don't know if you've seen the last two movies that featured Bruce's talents, and had a super-hero subplot, but Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 turned out pretty good. So I figured Bruce Campbell with super-powers (as "Sonic Boom", the gym coach.) would mean this was an excellent movie.
Or at least not a waste of $10. :)
Sky High revolves around Will Stronghold, the child of the two most famous superparents in the world. However, he just hasn't discovered his powers yet...if he gets any.
His longtime childhood friend/"secret" admirer can influence plant life, his tagalong pal Zack had his powers materialize over the summer, and his main threat at school is a fire blaster from City of Heroes. (There is SO much in this movie "influenced" by that game.)
So, how's a kid supposed to be a hero with no powers? He isn't. He's a SIDEKICK! And so begins all the predicatable plot arcs. His depression that emerges from not having powers, his parents' disappointment, and him shunning all his old friends once he actually does gain powers.
While Sky High is formulaic, and does pander towards the kiddies, adults who are "dragged" by their offspring have a lot to look forward to as well.
The writing for the leads is basically forumlaic and predictable, but the writing for the cameos, and the side characters are done pretty well. "Warren Peace", the brooding pyro, emerges as the most likable character in the entire movie...not because he has a change of heart, and ends up being a big softy underneath, but because he has all the best lines.
Additionally, every bit character in the movie is played by a recognizable character from a "cult" hit TV show, or is a recognizable "That Guy/Girl" from movies. Lynda Carter, Jill Talley, Dave Foley...all of these people make the most of their screen time, and it's enjoyable recognizing them.
Along with actors the non-high schoolers recognize comes the soundtrack. Every song, save one is a remake of an 80's tune, and not necesarily the most popular and overplayed ones. Great thinking on the makers of the film. Even if the parents start zoning on the flick...toss them some music they reocngize, and they're right back in it...especially when you throw them a scene with a bit actor the recognize immediately afterwards.
Oh, and that one non-original song...performed by the best band of all-time...THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS!
All tolled, I enjoyed this movie. I can recommend that parents who enjoyed the Incredibles allow themselves be talked into seeing this one, and even if you don't have kids, it's worth seeing, though the predicatability will drag a bit.
3.5 stars for non-parents, 4 if you're a kid, or a parent. (It's not often enough that you can take kids to a movie that you'd enjoy too.)
A super adventure of heroic proportions, this crowd-pleasing hit from Walt Disney Pictures stars Hollywood favorites Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston! T...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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