SKY HIGH

SKY HIGH is the first fun, funny comic book movie of 2005. Unlike the heavy-handed FANTASTIC FOUR, SKY HIGH keeps a balanced tone, that may appeal to a broader age range and that elicited applause at the end of the movie. Although it has some profound themes, it never strays into the darkness of many other comic book movies.

A comic book type movie created just for the motion picture medium, the movie tells the story of Will Stronghold, whose parents are famous superheroes, the Commander and Jetstream. When they’re not saving the world the Commander and Jetstream are real estate agents, Steve and Josie.

SKY HIGH opens with Will going to a special high school for the children of superheroes. During the first day, each student has to reveal their powers. One can melt, another can turn into a guinea pig, another can grow plants, another is super fast, and Will, well, he doesn’t have any superpowers, but everyone expects him to because his parents are the most renowned graduates of Sky High. Will’s best friend, Layla (who has the power to grow plants), decides to be a sidekick with Will. The sidekicks are made up of teenagers whose powers are too feeble to be superheroes.

For some reason, however, the top girl on campus, Gwen, who is a superhero and can move technology with her mind, takes a liking to freshman Will. Meanwhile, another superhero who can shoot fireballs out of his hands, Warren, resents Will because Will’s father, the Commander, sent Warren’s father to jail.

The plot thickens as it becomes clear that someone is trying to destroy the superheroes by turning them into babies. Will discovers that he does have some powers, but makes some critical mistakes along the way. The story involves him learning from his mistakes and trying to save the world when the villain is revealed and his parents are turned into babies.

SKY HIGH is hilarious. Often, it is very tongue-in-cheek, intentionally corny, yet full of great insights into high school life. Director Mike Mitchell has done a terrific job of keeping this movie on course. The plot points are unexpected, well developed and properly positioned. This is not an attempt at serious art, but it transcends its own B-movie genre by being better made, better acted, better directed, and more fun than most comic book movies.

Kurt Russell plays the Commander and is a wonderful father figure. He too has to learn from his mistakes.

Love is the bottom line that holds all the relationships together. Lust is rejected. And, self-discipline and doing the right thing are more important than romance. Thus, the movie teaches virtue while entertaining the audience. It is one of the best of the Class of 2005.