Parents' Guide to

Zoom: Academy for Superheroes

By Jane Boursaw, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Dull superhero tale has comic book violence, potty humor.

Movie PG 2006 83 minutes
Zoom: Academy for Superheroes Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 9 parent reviews

megan K.
megan K. Parent
February 22, 2023
age 4+

OK

It is quite fake, but interesting and cool for the kids if you want a short break from the yelling.

This title has:

Great role models
Gemstone04
Gemstone04 Parent of 6, 10, 14 and 17-year-old
January 3, 2023
age 6+

Fun watch

A great watch for all ages. Suitable for kids to watch, no scary, violence and it’s a fun movie about super heroes.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Thirty years ago, Jack Shepard (Tim Allen) was known as Captain Zoom for his incredible speed. At a secret facility known as Area 52, Jack led a group of superheroes known as Team Zenith, created by General Larraby (Rip Torn) and scientist Dr. Grant (Chevy Chase). Jack's older brother, Concussion (Kevin Zegers), became a villain, murdered most of the team before being sucked into a vortex. Now, Concussion is on his way back to the world through a growing spatial anomaly. Larraby recruits has-been Jack to train a new team of superhero kids: 16-year-old Summer (Kate Mara) is a telepath who can move objects with her mind; 17-year-old Dylan (Michael Cassidy) can make himself vanish; chubby 12-year-old Tucker (Spencer Breslin), can make parts of his body expand to superhuman size; and bratty 6-year-old Cindy (Ryan Newman) has super strength. The kids learn how to control their powers but they're unaware they'll face Concussion when he returns.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (6 ):

The young superheroes are somewhat appealing, but this movie falls flat on just about every other account. The montage scenes get old fast, and the plot is predictable and covers the usual themes of teen angst, fitting in, and finding your own gifts. Chevy Chase still isn't funny, Rip Torn is like a maniacal cartoon character, and Tim Allen needs to find a different niche other than family movies.

Based on Jason Lethcoe's comic-book for young adults and featuring dated tunes by Smash Mouth, this movie is harmless fun for kids, but not a whole lot of new material here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the definition of "family." Does it always refer to people who are biologically related, or can it mean people who are bonded in another way (like the superheroes)?

  • This movie is based on a children's book. What would be the challenges in adapting a children's book into movie form?

  • One of the central themes of the movie is "It's ok to be different." What are some other superhero movies with a similar theme?

Movie Details

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