Released: 7/29/05

Viewed: 9:45pm 8/6/05

Starring: Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Danielle Panabaker, Bruce Campbell, Linda Carter, Dave Foley, Kevin Mcdonald

Directed by: Mike Mitchell

Sky High Is awesome? in theory. But so is Communism, so don't get too excited. It's a school with superhero's teaching other superhero's how to use their powers. It's X-men if you take the racism and replace it with a super hero class system. You see, at Sky High, you're either a hero, or a sidekick. Guess which one gets the swirlies? Don't know what a swirly is? And you're reading a comic??

So that the movie is a little disappointing makes a lot more sense when you find out Disney is behind it. It's a little too safe. It sticks a little too closely to the template of feel good family fun. There's nothing wrong with it, but in the end it's just a kids movie. Still, it's a great idea with a lot of potential. Especially with it's cast.

That's the thing. I have no complaints with the cast and the performances. Everyone showed up to play. Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston as the parents are cast perfectly. Russell is such the classic hero type. Hard working, hard fighting he fills out this Captain America-esque role to a T. I love Preston. Ever since Twins. She's aged beautifully and looks great in her Jetstream gear. A surprising amount of cleavage for a Disney movie, but if you're going to push the envelope ? they pushed in the right place. (Obnoxious winking)

I loved the faculty at the school. Bruce Campbell with a booming voice ? money in the bank. Former Kids in the Hall Dave Foley, and Kevin Mcdonald as a aged sidekick and brainiac. That's so perfect. And Broken Lizard's Kevin Heffernan as the loser bus driver, who is just eager to please and be part of the club. All four of these actors steal every scene they are in just dropping in little nuggets of comedy.

Michael Angarano plays the hero of the story, Will Stronghold. He's been doing the movie scene for a while in supporting roles but he's showed he can step up and carry a movie and still make it interesting. At the same time there's no material here that allowed him to really show any kind of acting skill, but he was believable and natural on screen. I look forward to seeing more from him.

Ultimately the cast is the best thing. Even the groups of sidekick friends are all interesting and entertaining in their own way. Where the movie crumbles is in it's predictability. You could literally run down a checklist and as the movie unravels. Like I said ? there's nothing really wrong with that. It is a kid's movie and if it's worked before, it'll work again. But there's always the hope that kids movies will appeal to adults too. People with kids, they have to watch it. So why should they be bored. And it's not that it's boring. It's just nothing special. I think I'm just frustrated over wasted potential. It's a super hero high school for Christ's sake!

But you got to give the producers credit. They at least knew what they had and tried to appeal to adults. This is a superhero-loving world since Spider-man took over Hollywood. So there are potential ticket sales there. The most horrendous decision of appeal was the sound track. They went with classic 80's songs. Awesome. They picked songs that people instantly recognize and have a connection with. Classic songs that make you feel something the second you hear them. But? they had pop punk band cover them. Ok, a great idea? like communism. It just didn't work out. These songs are classic for a reason. They should have just used the originals.

It's hard to be mad at Sky High. It's a nice little movie. Good effects. Enjoyable cast with a few guest spots that will make people smile. A decent final battle sequence. But so what? It's a dime a dozen these days. A better twist ending could have saved it. I'll say that. But can I recommend seeing it? I guess. Are movies cheap near you? It's not a waste of time, but it's nothing special.

6 out of 10 The kids will love it. The adults won't be annoyed by it. If anything you'll just be disappointed that you didn't get to see Campbell's character as a baby. DVD worthy?: Nah. But I wish it good sales on DVD. A sequel could take it to another level. I'd love to see a movie of just that faculty teaching classes.

If you liked this movie check out : Spy Kids

Spy Kids will give you the same safe family fun. It's something the kids can get excited about and the adults won't get bored with. I love the imagination of Rodriguez. He comes up with some crazy stuff. Except the rubber band in Spy Kid's two. That was complete crap. Just watch the original. AS is the style of the time, I have updated the incentive image specific to this strip. It answers the question of what power I would choose to have for myself. The voting has been great lately and I'm extremely grateful. I hope you guys are enjoying the sketches as much as I'm enjoying doing them.