Parents' Guide to

Sky High

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Man rises to top of criminal gang; violence, language, sex.

Movie NR 2020 121 minutes
Sky High Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Sky High Movie: Scene # 1
  • Sky High Movie: Scene # 2
  • Sky High Movie: Scene # 3

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What's the Story?

Angel (Miguel Herron of Money Heist) is an earnest mechanic, seemingly polite and respectful, who suddenly turns into an adrenaline junkie when he joins the rough, tough robbery gang of Poli (Richard Holmes). Even after the violent and soulless Poli betrays him on his first caper, Angel sticks with the gang, gradually seeing the angles and betraying Poli right back. Angel thinks big and tries to eliminate middle men standing in his way, leading him to collaborate with Rogelio (Luis Tosar), a polished but dangerous kingpin with connections at the top of the police department. Angel makes good on the business end and marries Rogelio's daughter, Sole (Asia Ortega), which both offers him safety but also puts him under scrutiny. Various elaborate heists, schemes, and betrayals follow. Elaborate money laundering plots ensue. Angel burns bridges and continues to have an affair with his true love, a tough moll named Estrella (Carolina Yuste). Will he make it out alive?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

This is a movie that seems interesting but loses steam. Sky High gets off to a promising start, introducing a sweet and likable Angel, but as he becomes irretrievably corrupt and as he arrogantly thumbs his nose at the police, the action stagnates into a one-note, repeating pattern. Angel seems like a nice guy, so it's difficult to believe his transformation into a ruthless, macho hothead. And a narrative with so much potential gets bogged down in showy, fast-paced editing designed to showcase precise and dazzling capers. The dazzle wears off as the plot settles into a predictable rinse-and-repeat cycle -- a series of dull and pointlessly risky tensions and risks. Even the enormously sympathetic Herron can't inject the newly ruthless Angel with sufficient charm to keep us interested for two long hours.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about incentives that lead people into crime. Why do you think the seemingly-nice Angel so eagerly and unquestioningly accepts an invitation to take part in a robbery led by a guy he doesn't like?

  • The movie tells us that Angel is smarter than the local small-time gang leader, prompting Angel to betray him and go out on his own. How does having brains get Angel into trouble? What does that tell us about the possibility of having self confidence beyond one's abilities?

  • What role do you think poverty plays in the criminal behavior displayed in the movie?

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