Sky High

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

Who knew high school could be this much fun without being a jock, cheerleader, or attractive teacher? The makers of Fantastic Four could learn a lesson from Sky High, a tongue-in-cheek comic book movie with big laughs and big effects. At the film's foundation is a clever concept that combines superheroism and everyday tedium. Sky High is set in the clouds, where popular kids are groomed to become the next Superman or Wonder Woman, while geeks can only aspire to a career as sidekick. (Sadly, the screenwriters strip-mine this ingenious premise as if there was oil buried beneath it.) In the middle of it all is young Will Stronghold, living in the shadow of his iconic parents, who finds his superpower potential is virtually nil along with his loser soon-to-be-sidekick friends. But when all hope is lost and his family's in trouble—wouldn't you know it?—Will suddenly finds he has what it takes to stamp out evil after all. A cross between The Incredibles and Clueless, Sky High lays it on a little thick at times and takes too long to pick up the pace, but once the high school hijinks start, you'll settle in like it's your third year of freshman algebra all over again.

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