Will is a good guy, born to amazing parents. Through the course of the film, he learns an important lesson about what's really important.
Positive Messages
none
Deceits, fights, dirty tricks, and a supervillain's plot to destroy the school.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the film includes several scenes of knock-down, spectacular (but cartoonish) violence, where kids with superpowers slam each other into walls and through windows, or zap one another with freeze rays and fireballs. One particular kid is sulky, others are anxious, and several are bullies, dunking one child's head in a toilet, throwing someone's cap in the mud, tripping, harassing, and beating up smaller kids. At the beginning of the film, superparents save the city, while a TV announcers says, "Evil has struck our morning commute," which some sensitive viewers might want to discuss, in relation to the recent London underground attacks. There is some mild profanity. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
The CGI parts are extremely dated even by 2005 standards. It's computerized action sequences are out classed by older films from the early 2000's like the Harry Potter films, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Star Wars prequels. It also doesn't have much story. If you want a movie about a super hero school you are much better off watching the X-Men cartoons and movies. The only good thing about this is Lynda Carter's cameo and even then you are better off watching the old Wonder Woman than this. What little story is very predictable and the characters can be very annoying. Yes there's predictable character growth after the main character ditches his side kick friends in favor for the hero/popular kid crowd. And then the popular kids end up being evil villains and the main character has to make amends with the unpopular side kicks to save the day. It's such a predictable movie that it's just a note to sit through. Also worth noting that this was released theatrically so there's no excuse for the "made for TV" look. I'm marking violence and also sex because it does have skimpy outfits on female characters and it does have scenes with kissing and mild implied unresolved sexual tension.
I am always looking for nice movies for our family to enjoy together, something my husband and I can like as well as our daughters, 8 and 5. I read the reviews for this movie and it sounded great.
It started ok, but then it just got terrible! I should have turned it off but I thought that the "sexy stuff" and teen romance would lessen rather than become the focus.
The first thing that really bothered me was that Kelly Preston's character, dressed in her super hero suit, had her breasts pushed up more than I thought possible and it was very noticeable and not the body image I want my kids thinking of. Then it got worse because the villain high school girl had the same thing going on with her homecoming dress.
This movie makes being a teen look like it is all about kissing, betrayal, teen romance, bullying, and faking romance to make someone jealous.
There is a part where the main character says "Ew, I made out with an old lady!" "Made out" is not a term I want my kids knowing or saying right now.
Horrible movie! It's for 13 year olds but they wouldn't like it because it is meant for a younger audience. Basically not a good movie for anyone.
What's the Story?
Fourteen-year-old Will (Michael Angarano) is afraid to tell his superparents -- Commander Stronghold (Kurt Russell) and Josie Jetstream (Kelly Preston) -- that his own powers have not yet appeared. And when he begins high school -- Sky High, which hovers above the earth, "in constant motion as a precaution against those who might have nefarious plans" -- his fears are reconfirmed. The students are divided into two groups: those with powers and those without (sidekicks).
Brightly colored and extra perky, SKY HIGH makes good fun of the usual high school drama. This cartoony coming out story soon gives way to a cartoony straightening out story, as Will gains his powers after all, falls for conniving Student Body President Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and almost misses the gentle appeal and loyalty of girl-next-door Layla (Danielle Panabaker).
Will also discovers he has a sworn enemy -- sullen, leather-jacketed firestarter Warren Peace (Steven Strait) holds a grudge against Will because Commander Stronghold defeated his supervillain father ("If you ever cross me again," he growls at Will, "I'll roast you alive.") Because this is a Disney movie, everyone eventually learns to play nice. To get from here to there, this initially sprightly film grinds its gears a bit, though Warren Peace maintains a surprisingly light touch, despite being the designated surly boy, haplessly resisting the call to join the good guys.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between Will and his parents. Worried that he'll disappoint them, he deceives them concerning his lack of superpowers; once he gets these powers, the father deceives the mother about his punishment of the son for "nearly destroying" the school cafeteria.
How do Will's lies to his parents and friends lead to confusion and regret?
How does the film challenge the hero/sidekick dichotomy but reaffirm the hero/villain dichotomy?
How does Will learn to appreciate loyalty over popularity?
MPAA explanation:
action violence and some mild language
Last updated:
August 31, 2024
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