 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Sky High
- Review Date: January 11, 2006
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Cartoony high school superhero drama; OK for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What 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.
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).
Is it any good?
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.
What families can talk 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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
"I don't know where I stand on this."
I had no concerns as well as no highlights. Will easily caved into peer pressure and then ran off to a party without his parents permission. Even though the movie is about a school, there was nothing educational about it,
And just try to find a positive message in all this. I was not concerned about Swearing or violence because I knew that this movie was not brave enough to carry that out. not that they needed to.
If you or your kids like it, good for you.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 19, 2009
AGE
B-O-R-I-N-G!
Boring. Ive watched it 10 zillion times.
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AGE
Great movie for tweens
My son watches this over and over. He loves it! The violence is very cartoonish. The message is that labeling a person as lesser is wrong and that everyone is of value.
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AGE
Fun hero movie.
This is a fun, lighthearted spoof of the super-hero genre. Still, the final battle is nice.
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AGE
High School with a superhero twist.
This movie is the classic underdog wins the day. It says that you don't have to be in the "in" group to be a winner.
It is ok to be who you are and use your differences and those of your friends, to solve a problem. I think more teens need this type of encouragement.
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AGE
Way cute!
This movie was absolutely fun to watch! No language or sexual situations. Just pure clean fun for kids.
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AGE
Cute Flick
I saw this in the theatre with 4 kids, ages 6, 6, 8, 9. All enjoyed it thoroughly as did the 2 adults. It was cute, about living up to your parents expectations. Something all kids today deal with.
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AGE
Great movie for boys 8+
My son saw this when he was 7 and absolutely loves this movie. The laughter and super hero role models were an immense interest to him and remains one of his top 10 movies of all time!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, superheroes, adventures, high school |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Mike Mitchell |
| Cast: | Danielle Panabaker, Kurt Russell, Michael Angarano |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 29, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | November 29, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | action violence and some mild language |
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