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Sky High

When Sky High first came out, I was embarrassed to admit that I wanted to see it. Apparently, lots of people felt the same way, because it played in theaters for approximately 47 seconds. Sure, it doesn’t have any Hot Bad Guys in it, but every once in a while, you just need to see a movie for the fun of it, not to write a review of it for a web site… HEY! How did this get on my list of movies to review?

Well, moving on. Here’s the Short Story: Will Stronghold is the son of famous superheroes The Commander and Jetstream. Dad (The Commander) is superstrong and Mom (Jetstream) can fly. So, assuming that Will eventually will develop superpowers, he’s enrolled in the local Superhero High School. As it turns out, he doesn’t have any superpowers, so he’s stuck in Sidekick Classes, er, Superhero Support. Will seems to be coping with his disability fine, until he has various run-ins with Warren Peace (I swear, I’m not making it up), son of one of the supervillains Will’s dad put in prison. (Warren’s mom was a superhero. I’d LOVE to read that comic.)

Of course, Will does eventually develop his powers (both superstrength and flying) and wacky high school hijinx ensue, resulting in the Sidekicks saving the school from a Supervillain. And can’t we all just get along?

I was far more impressed with this movie than I thought I’d be. The plot was pretty predictable, but still entertaining. Plus, there were some great supporting actors in Lynda Carter, as Principal Powers, Bruce Campbell, as Coach Boomer, and Dave Foley, as Mr. Boy, The Commander’s former sidekick. Definitely worth renting, if you have the opportunity. And, of course, I’m incredibly relieved that spandex wasn’t part of the required costume when I was in high school.


Quality of the Hot Guys: Kurt Russell is getting a little old for spandex
Quality of the Bad Guys: some high school girl who had a reasonably good plan, but poor follow through
Quality of the Other Stuff: entertaining and funny comic book in jokes
Overall Score: