Apparently the only time Disney can make a family film that features a traditional family is if the family are superheroes. Other than The Incredibles, name a Disney movie that features a traditional intact family. Anyway, like The Incredibles, Sky High is a fun family film that applauds the family unit. However, it lacks the tension that made The Incredibles so good.
Will Stronghold is a typical teenager except that his parents are secretly world-famous superheroes. He is a freshman attending a high school for kids with super-powers. On his first day of school, Will gets placed in the sidekick class. He has yet to discover his super-powers. The first half of the movie is Will discovering them and learning to fit in.
Will has all of the usual angst of your average teen. There are bullies, hotties and his loyal friends. Will's father is overzealous about him becoming a great superhero and his best friend, Layla, is secretly in love with him. He also has some unusual angst, like the supervillain plotting revenge against his parents.
Sky High is first and foremost a fun film. It moves quickly along at a harmless pace. Nothing in this film is offensive and it is completely suitable for all ages. I would have liked the villain to have been a little more threatening. The bad guy and the special effects come across like an episode of The Power Rangers.
Both of my sons loved this movie! The film features characters that are in high school but they act as innocent as elementary school students. Sky High is family fun, but as The Incredibles proved, a little tension can up the entertainment value without making it too mature.
