Sky High - Scuola di superpoteri

I saw the advance screening of this movie last night and I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised! I went into this movie expecting a cheesy kiddy movie and ended up spending the next hour and a half being seriously entertained. The story is about a group of freshmen in their first few months at a super hero high school named "Sky High." There are all the familiar struggles of high school, such as fitting in, finding a date, and choosing between the friends you have known and loved your whole life and the new popular crowd. These high school newbies have the additional dilemma of learning to use their powers and live up to the reputations that their parents have established as super heroes. The movie is sweet without sending the viewers into a diabetic coma, and has a great message. The theater I was in was also full of little ones, who I never heard a peep out of! The movie is a great treat for the entire family and will make a great break from the heat or a rainy day activity!

Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) is a regular teen except his parents are two of the greatest superheroes around; Steve Stronghold / The Commander (Kurt Russell) and Josie Stronghold / Jetstream (Kelly Preston). Along with kids of other superheroes, he starts Sky High except he doesn't seem to have a superpower. He's relegated to study being the sidekick with his lifelong friend Layla (Danielle Panabaker). He is embarrassed at his lack of power and sheepishly lies to his parents who have great expectations. Gwen Grayson (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the popular girl on campus. Student Warren Peace (Steven Strait) is angry with Will for The Commander putting Warren's father in prison.

This is a harmless little family movie. It could have been edgier. There are a lot of high school drama being played out but the movie never really pushes it. It's strictly a Disney teen movie or a simplified John Hughes movie. With the cartoon color style, this is more silly than compelling. Although it's not silly enough to be actually funny. Angarano is fine but he doesn't really stand out. For the lead, he needs to be much more charismatic. The character can be nerdy but he needs to be a charismatic nerd. Panabaker is adorable enough for the puppy love story. Generally this is like a well-made movie on one of the those kids TV channels.

Sky High is the perfect blend of high school drama, superhero shenanigans, and early-2000s Disney charm. Watching this as a kid felt like a sneak peek into the coolest school ever-where your classmates can throw fireballs, lift cars, or... turn into a guinea pig.

The story follows Will Stronghold, the son of the world's greatest superheroes, who's dealing with the crushing pressure of living up to his parents' legacy. (Relatable much?) It's your classic coming-of-age tale but with flying buses and epic sidekick banter. And speaking of sidekicks, how can we forget Ethan, who melts into a puddle when stressed? Absolute legend.

The cast is a chef's kiss of nostalgia, with Kurt Russell hamming it up as the macho dad, and Danielle Panabaker as Layla, the plant-wielding queen of unspoken crushes. The plot might not be groundbreaking, but who cares when you've got a soundtrack full of fun rock covers and a third act with villains monologuing like it's their full-time job?

Watching Sky High on Disney Channel back in the day was a rite of passage. It's silly, heartwarming, and packed with enough superpowers to fuel endless childhood daydreams.

Rating 6 out of 10. A school where lunchroom fights involve laser vision? Sign me up. This movie made us believe that even sidekicks can save the day.

Well, I must say that this movie was surprisingly good for it being a Disney Kid Movie. Now it won't win any Oscars, but it really kept up the Disney Tradition for being a clean and fun film. It was wonderful to see Kurt Russell on the screen again with Disney. The acting, again, not an Oscar performance out of anyone, was clean and sincere, very believable. The sets and special effects were, well, good. The diversity and conflict between students of the school, once again... good. There were some very witty and dry remarks about high school life as well. Good writing. I say the most surprising thing about this film was that it was just plain old fun! It had the patrons laughing as well as I. My 7 year old and my 3 year old loved it and it was still adult enough with a strong enough plot to keep the parents interested as well. All in all, it made for a fun afternoon.

This movie is fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's funny. I really don't know why there's such a low score for this one.