SKY HIGH
US, 2005, 100 minutes, Colour.
Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Linda Carter, Bruce Campbell, Dave Foley, Cloris Leachman.
Directed by Mike Mitchell.
This is a really pleasant surprise and made me sorry that I had noticed that director Mike Mitchell had made the first Deuce Bigalow film and Surviving Christmas. This is a lot better, much better.
It’s almost as if you had The Incredibles in live-action. Mum and Dad are heroes who can be called upon at any time to right the world’s wrongs (they are The Commander and Jetstream). Meanwhile, they have a nice domestic life at home. The crisis comes when their son, Will Stronghold, has to go to high school (Sky High which is only for those with superhuman powers, the heroes, and those who are gifted but not in the same league.) He can’t bring himself to tell his parents that he is gawky and has no powers, especially since Mr Stronghold is one of those square-jawed heroes who can’t imagine that anybody would not be like him.
What a relief for him and us when he does get his powers – which get him into all kinds of high school trouble. Lynda Carter is the principal.
Needless to say, there is a crisis in the school at prom night when a vindictive opponent, humiliated long since by The Commander and Jetstream, tries to destroy the school. What follows is lots of stunts and effects while, enjoyably, Will saves the day and finds his true love.
This could have been really terrible and corny, but it isn’t. The screenplay is witty and funny. It does not take itself too seriously even while The Commander takes himself very seriously. He is played by Kurt Russell who enters into the spirit of the thing with fine comic timing and earnest moralising and paternal pride. Kelly Preston is a nice counterbalance as Jetstream/Mum. Michael Angarano (Dear Wendy, Lords of Dogtown) is just right as the potential nerd who becomes actual hero.
A light-hearted adventure most of the family could enjoy.
1.An entertaining high school story – with a difference?
2.The alternate high school? For superheroes? The similarities with an ordinary American high school? The homes, similarities and differences? The environment – and the whole of the alternate society? The visuals for the locations, costumes? The musical score and the songs?
3.The title, encapsulating the themes?
4.The introduction to the Commander and Jetstream? The background of their being the superhero duo? The memories of the past? The American parents? Their teenage son? His going to high school? The preparation – and the son not telling them that he lacks superpowers?
5.The introduction to Will, his age, his relationship with his parents, their setting the standards for superheroes and powers? His consciousness that he has no powers? Getting ready to go to the high school, his friendship with Layla? Her being in love with him? His not being aware of it?
6.The high school, the students? The principal and Linda (Lynda?) Carter from Wonder Woman)? The staff and their attitudes? The enrolment, the separation of the students? The heroes? The sidekicks? Will and Layla as sidekicks? The lower division for students?
7.The group of sidekicks, their friendship: Ethan, Magenta, Zac, Layla? The contrast with Warren Pierce? His background as the son of a villain? His resentment towards Will – because of the Commander catching his villain father?
8.At home, Will confessing the truth to his parents? The build-up to his fight with Warren – and discovering that he did have some powers?
9.Gwen Grayson, attractive, Will falling for her? Their outings? Layla and her reaction? Her pretending to date Warren? Her trying to make Will envious?
10.The Commander, his pride in his son, their going into his inner sanctum? All the mementoes from his superhero days? His asking Will not to let anybody come in? Will and his allowing Gwen to go in, during the party?
11.The party, her organisation, the kissing? The stealing of the Pacifier?
12.Gwen, making mischief, talking to Layla, telling Layla that Will did not like her? Will and his reaction, the clash with Gwen? Layla and her not responding to Will, his phone calls?
13.The Sky High Prom, the Commander and Jetstream and their presence? The fact of their inaugural award, Superhero of the Year? Will, his being upset, staying at home?
14.Gwen, the revelation that she was the supervillain, Royal Pain? Her voice as Royal Pain? Her using the Pacifier, changing the Commander and Jetstream into babies? The prom crowd also becoming babies?
15.Will, his response, coming to the rescue, the sidekicks all helping? The defeat of Royal Pain? The beginning of a new romance with Layla?
16.All the ingredients from high school films and stories and musicals? With the added difference of the superheroes (and memories of the X Men schools)?
