HC Reviews

Sky High DVD

Michael Angarano .... Will Stronghold
Kurt Russell .... Steve Stronghold/The Commander
Kelly Preston .... Josie Stronghold/Jetstream

Danielle Panabaker .... Layla
Dee Jay Daniels .... Ethan
Kelly Vitz .... Magenta
Nicholas Braun .... Zach
Steven Strait .... Warren Peace

Malika & Khadijah .... Penny
Jake Sandvig .... Lash
Will Harris .... Speed
Mary Elizabeth Winstead .... Gwen
Jim Rash .... Mr. Grayson/Stitches

Lynda Carter .... Principal Powers
Bruce Campbell .... Coach Boomer
Cloris Leachman .... Nurse Spex
Kevin Heffernan .... Ron Wilson - Bus Driver
Dave Foley .... Mr. Boy
Kevin McDonald .... Mr. Medulla

Every once in a while, Disney comes out with an original movie that is smart, well-acted, funny, and cute. This is that movie.

Seriously, y'all. When this movie first came out, I didn't even give it two thoughts because it was a Disney movie and the trailers made it look like that drek Disney's been pumping out lately. Then I started hearing good buzz about it but I still wasn't going to see it in the theatre because no way was I going to be around that many kids. What got me to put in my Netflix queue was the IMDB boards chatter. Very few people disliked it (of course, there are always the trolls who have to be contradictory just because and naturally, there are going to be people who don't like a movie even if you love it) and there was a lot of pleasant stuff said about it.

Acting:
Strong performances from all the kids. Usually Disney kids are cloying sweet or obnoxiously perky or cartoonishly buffonish. And while there are some stereotypes, most of the kids manage to make the character their own and rise above the single trait that defines them.
The adults are excellent. Kurt Russell (a Disney movie alum) and Kelly Preston are great as the superhero duo and parents. Kurt's character is almost a typical dad in that he just wants his son to take over the family business, as it were, but realizes in the end that what he really wants is for his kid to be happy.
However, the real chuckle comes from the supporting teachers/adults. Bruce Campbell as Boomer is genius casting (because he's got such a recognizable voice). Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald (of Kids in the Hall Fame really shine in their respective roles. I'm not sure if it was done intentionally, but making Dave Foley's character be All American Boy is slightly ironic, considering he's Canadian (and to me, clearly sounds Canadian but that could be simply because I know he is).

Special Effects:
There are a lot of CGI elements in this film which, given that it's about superheroes and a High School in the sky, makes sense. There's also a lot of wire work and stunt work. Because the movie makers used wired stunts (which made it a bit safer), a lot of the kids did their own stunts and I think that makes a bit of a difference because there aren't a lot of cutaways so you can stay on the action longer. And the stunts and special effects were pretty cool. Especially the kid who could make fire.

Plot/Theme:
The plot is simple enough. 2 superhero parents are sending their son to their alma mater high school (named Sky High because it's in the sky) but the son is reluctant to tell them that he hasn't inherited any of their superpowers. He ends up being classified as a sidekick (or Hero Support) because of his lack of powers which he is dreading telling his parents. And to top it all off, he has to deal with an archnemisis and bullies.
What I really liked though were the themes that permeated the movie: the idea that everyone's got their own unique "power" and a cooler power doesn't necessarily make someone a Hero and someone else with a not so cool power a Sidekick; the idea that parents and kids should have an honest relationship with each other; and the idea that sometimes high school is hell, regardless of what power you have or don't have.

Extras on the DVD:
An unfunny blooper reel, a bunch of deleted/alternative scenes, a behind the scenes/making of (which was quite funny, especially when the director and producer were talking about the kissing scenes and the rules for the kids about how no one was allowed to hook up on set), a featurette on the stunt work (very informative), and a music video for one of the songs on the soundtrack (Bowling for Soup doing a cover of I Melt With You).

How could I not love a movie with modern versions of 80s songs?!

Overall, definitely worth a rental and a movie you can watch with your kids (or younger siblings or nieces/nephews).

Posted by xinh at February 9, 2006 08:06 AM