sky high movie review

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Sky High’ on Netflix, A Spanish Heist Thriller With Flash, Style, and Hedonism 

Where to stream:.

• Sky High (2021)

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If you’re one of the millions of Money Heist fans, Netflix’s new Spanish crime thriller Sky High will definitely scratch your itch. The story of a young man’s criminal coming of age, it combines heist movie suspense and double and triple crosses with a heaping helping of romance. 

SKY HIGH : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Handsome loner Angel (Miguel Herran) loves to flick off the skyscrapers from the hills outside Madrid, where he makes a living as a grease monkey mechanic alongside his buddy Gitano (Dollar Seimouni). When local hood Poli (Richard Holmes) offers him a spot in his crew of heisters, he readily dons the ski mask and performs his first smash and grab job. Why not? The elites have left people like him, Gitano, and his beloved grandfather behind. And if his cut from taking scores helps him impress the beautiful, sassy Estrella (Carolina Yuste), who happens to currently be seeing Poli, then all the better. Angel has big plans. And he’s convinced they’ll lead him sky high, straight to the top.

Of course, Angel’s vaunted plans and jewelry store heisting also leads him into the slammer, where his cocksure attitude draws the ire of Duque (Fernando Cayo), a detective who’s been on Poli and his crew for a hot minute. But with the aid of shady lawyer Mercedes (Patricia Vico), Angel is soon back on the street and back in the crime game. Sensing that the hotheaded, one-dimensional Poli is holding him back, Angel plans and orchestrates the brazen robbery of an Audi dealership, making a clean getaway with five glimmering A7s. As reckless as he is proficient, he does donuts outside Estrella’s building until she comes down to kiss him in the stolen ride.

When Angel’s expanding criminal enterprise puts him in the crosshairs of underworld heavy Rogelio (Luis Tosar, lending an air of maturity to this youthful crime fantasy), Angel straight up offers him his services. He also woos Rogelio’s daughter Sole (Asia Ortega), who he eventually marries, for both love and criminal career advancement. And all the while, Estrella is in the wings, Angel’s true love, even if it’s not good for business. The young heister’s ambitions have led him into quite the pickle, in both the business of crime and that of love. Those he’s crossed are primed to cross him back, and he’ll risk it all for one last, desperate job. Angel thought he was smarter than everyone. But there’s always somebody making moves higher up, even when your ambitions reach all the way to the sky.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of? Sky High was a huge hit in Spanish cinemas at the end of 2020, and Netflix quickly snapped up the international rights. But while the actual film appears there, the streamer also has plans to adapt Sky High into a television series that expands outward from the movie’s climactic finish. To that end, the similarities between Sky High and the Spanish-made Netflix hit Money Heist just keep falling into place, alongside Money Heist co-star Miguel Herran playing Angel in Sky High .

Performance Worth Watching: Spanish actress Carolina Yuste is electrifying in Sky High . As the spirited, feisty Estrella, she’s the only one who challenges Angel’s burgeoning Michael Corleone complex, the only one who keeps him at arm’s length with haughtiness and a wink, always making him clamor for more, even as their love story becomes increasingly complex and sad.

Memorable Dialogue: “From now on, I bring you exactly what you ask me to get. Deliver, get paid, done. That simple.” Angel’s pitch to crime boss Rogelio (played by the always soulful, always fantastic Luis Tosar) is calibrated somewhere between youthful cockiness and being so conceited that he flips the game into utter naivety.

Sex and Skin: Angel and Estrella have their share of amorous encounters.

Our Take: Sky High is artfully crafted, condensing Angel’s expansive, years-long criminal career into easily consumable packets. There are two heist set pieces that feature the right amounts of precision timing, abruptly expended brawn, and audacious exit strategy requisite for any heist film. And of course his crew of pals and criminal hangers-on offer comic relief in the margins, slumped in fancy hotels in tacky leather jackets, or playing various roles in service of Angel’s grand plans. And while it doesn’t spend a whole lot of time filling in the backstory for Angel, Estrella, Sole, and Poli, it doesn’t really have to, because the actors take their broad characterizations and run with them, developing each with a deft blend of flash, hot fuse line read, and real connection in the quieter moments. When Angel and Poli beat the hell out of each other in an elevator, the punches fall with real emotional gravity, but the connection between Angel and Estrella also burns with palpable chemistry.

Part aspirational daydream, part star-crossed love story, part high-end heist thriller, and part cautionary tale, Sky High has more than enough to keep everyone interested, even as its double and triple crosses start to muddy up the works as it puts the narrative pedal to the metal toward the end. Slick, well-acted, and assured of itself from start to finish, it’s no wonder Netflix is scheming to put this heist thriller into prestige television franchise mode.

Our Call: STREAM IT. Sky High hits all the right notes for a heist movie — the crew, the plan, the job, the getaway. Also: the double crosses. Add in solid writing and some great character development, and your movie night has its next watch booked.

Should you stream or skip the Spanish heist thriller #SkyHigh on @netflix ? #SIOSI — Decider (@decider) April 5, 2021

Johnny Loftus is an independent writer and editor living at large in Chicagoland. His work has appeared in The Village Voice, All Music Guide, Pitchfork Media, and Nicki Swift. Follow him on Twitter: @glennganges

Watch Sky High on Netflix

• Stream It Or Skip It

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Film Review: ‘Sky High’

By Joe Leydon

Film Critic

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Smartly written and sprightly played, “ Sky High ” satisfies with a clever commingling of spoofy superheroics, school-daze hijinks, and family friendly coming-of-age dramedy. Comparisons to “The Incredibles” are inevitable, though not entirely apt, but this lively live-action Disney release stands on its own merits as a tongue-in-cheek fantasy with cross-generational appeal. Pic could prove a surprisingly powerful performer in the late-summer B.O. sweepstakes, and will subsequently fly off shelves in homevid release.

In developing their high-concept premise, scripters Paul Hernandez, Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle borrow concepts and archetypes from various corners of the Marvel and DC comic-book universes. (X-Men and the Legion of Super Heroes are only the two most obvious inspirations.) Fanciful scenario can be enjoyed as both a savvy homage brimming with wink-wink inside jokes, and as a straight-ahead action-comedy about gifted teens training to join the ranks of superhumanity.

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It’s never easy for the offspring of celebrities to establish their own identities. But for 14-year-old Will Stronghold ( Michael Angarano ), it’s especially difficult to emerge from the long shadows cast by his dynamic parents, the fantastically strong Commander ( Kurt Russell ) and the high-flying Jet Stream ( Kelly Preston ). When not battling evil, they’re real estate agents Steve and Josie Stronghold.

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With mom and dad fully expecting him to join the superhero biz, Will reluctantly begins his advanced education at their alma mater, Sky High, a lavishly appointed school on a secluded campus miles above the ground. (Thanks to anti-gravity devices, the entire campus remains permanently aloft, hidden by convenient cloud banks.) In many ways, it’s a high school like any other, complete with peer pressures and polarized cliques. The big difference is, the primary division isn’t between jocks and geeks. Rather, freshmen are labeled as either Heroes or Sidekicks, according to their abilities and potential.

Will almost immediately is designated as a Sidekick, with little hope for reassignment because, despite his bloodline, he evidences no sign of being superpowerful.

Helmer Mike Mitchell (“Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo”) subtly handles the script’s metaphorical allusions to adolescence as a time of uncertainty, evolution and establishing identity. Instead of belaboring the obvious, he plays for laughs, keeping the pic light even during elaborate action sequences.

As a Sidekick, Will feels at ease with other dweebs: Layla (Danielle Panabaker), who reins in her powers to control plant life in order to remain Will’s classmate; Ethan (Dee-Jay Daniels), who can melt into a puddle; Magenta (Kelly Vitz), a shape-shifter who, alas, can only shape herself into a guinea pig; and Zach (Nicholas Brown), who can glow like a nightlight.

On the other hand, Will can’t avoid clashes with Warren Peace (Steven Strait), who can toss fireballs from his fingertips — and who nurses a grudge against Will because the latter’s parents arrested Warren’s super-villainous father.

Under the watchful eye of shape-shifting Principal Powers (former “Wonder Woman” Lynda Carter) and the demanding tutelage of high-decibel Coach Boomer (Bruce Campbell), Will eventually discovers his super strength.

Beautiful classmate Gwen Grayson (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) can’t help but notice. However, Layla isn’t pleased that her old friend is being a mite too friendly with someone else.

Narrative is fueled by the mischief caused by a vengeful villain who targets the Commander, Jet Stream and other Sky High alumni. But funniest bits of “Sky High” have relatively little to do with its serviceably comic-bookish plot. Slyly self-satirical perfs by Russell and Preston are consistently delightful, and various oddball touches trigger guffaws of assorted intensity.

In addition to spot-on contributions from Carter and Campbell, funny character turns by Dave Foley (as a former teen sidekick), Kevin McDonald (as a brainy science teacher) and, briefly, Cloris Leachman (as a nurse with x-ray vision) increase the laugh quotient.

Angarano hits the right notes of sincerity and uncertainty while making an engaging impression. Supporting roles are vividly played, with Kevin Heffernan a standout as a gung-ho but super-powerless bus driver for Sky High (portrayed, in a bold stroke of casting, by Cal State U., Northridge).

Overall tech package is sufficiently first-rate to providing some semblance of credibility while sustaining seriocomic tone. (Even f/x tricks are laced with humor.) Costume designer Michael Wilkinson has created a lineup of nifty superhero attire, and music supervisor Lisa Brown has assembled a bevy of covers of well-chosen ’80s pop hits.

• Production: A Buena Vista release of a Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Gunn Films production. Produced by Andrew Gunn. Executive producers, Mario Iscovich, Ann Marie Sanderlin. Directed by Mike Mitchell. Screenplay, Paul Hernandez, Bob Schooley, Mark McCorkle.
• Crew: Camera (Technicolor), Shelly Johnson; editor, Paul Amundson; music, Michael Giacchino; music supervisor, Lisa Brown; production designer, Bruce Robert Hill; art director, William Hawkins; set decorator, Robert Gould; costume designer, Michael Wilkinson; sound (Dolby Digital/SDDS/DTS), Paul Ledford; assistant director, Justin Muller; casting, Allison Jones. Reviewed at Edwards Marq*e Cinema, Houston, July 26, 2005. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 100 MIN.
• With: Will Stronghold - Michael Angarano Steve Stronghold/The Commander - Kurt Russell Josie Stronghold/Jetstream - Kelly Preston Layla - Danielle Panabaker Ron Wilson, Bus Driver - Kevin Heffernan Principal Powers - Lynda Carter Gwen Grayson - Mary Elizabeth Winstead Coach Boomer - Bruce Campbell Mr. Boy - Dave Foley Warren Peace - Steven Strait Ethan - Dee-Jay Daniels Zach - Nicholas Braun Magenta - Kelly Vitz Mr. Grayson - Jim Rash Lash - Jake Sandvig Speed - Will Harris Penny - Khadijah, Malika Mr. Medulla - Kevin McDonald Nurse Spex - Cloris Leachman

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‘Sky High’ (2005) smoothly blends superheroes, teen comedy

“Sky High” (2005) is totally formulaic, and that’s why it succeeds for most of its run time but ultimately flattens out into something safely disposable. It came out during what I like to think of as the Disney comedy boom of the early 21 st century, the time of “Lizzie McGuire” and its ilk. Although the writers and director have worked almost entirely on Disney kids’ and animated projects, “Sky High” is a smart movie with a lot of too-wise-for-school humor.

Sharp humor

For instance, when one student at the titular superhero school asks “What’s embarrassing him in front of the entire class going to prove? That is so unfair,” the other responds with: “Yeah, well if life were to suddenly get fair, I doubt it would happen in high school.”

The blend of superheroes and high school comedy almost writes itself, but credit goes to director Mike Mitchell and the three writers (Paul Hernandez, Robert Schooley and Mark McCorkle) for finding this groove. There are plenty of films where this blend falls flat, but it has some zest here.

“Sky High” (2005)

Director: Mike Mitchell

Writers: Paul HernandezBob SchooleyMark McCorkle

Stars: Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Michael Angarano

The tropes of high school are given a superhero spin from Will Stronghold’s (Michael Angarano, young Nicky on “This Is Us”) first day as a freshman at the floating academy up through the homecoming dance, where villains are revealed and heroes prove themselves. The hero, sidekick and villain tropes match up in lockstep with popular-kid, loser and bully tropes.

In a John Hughesian touch, Will doesn’t notice that his bestie, Layla (Danielle Panabaker, later of “The Flash”), has developed feelings for him. Instead, he gets swept up by an opportunity that’s unlikely yet too good to pass up: The school’s resident popular hot girl, Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, later of “Scott Pilgrim” ), likes him.

You know where most of this is going, and I’m less forgiving of paint-by-numbers plots than I used to be. By the climax, it’s a matter of hitting the obvious beats and ending the movie.

Consistent fun

But for most of “Sky High,” there’s consistent fun to be had in the gags and broad performances, such as Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston as Will’s parents, The Commander and Jetstream. His dad wants him to have super strength like him, his mom hopes he can fly like her.

The teens’ powers are amusingly on-the-nose, such as the “losers” who turn into goo, glow in the dark, and shapeshift (but only into a guinea pig). One of the mean-girl cheerleaders can split herself into six people, thus taking up a whole lunch table to shoo off the “losers.” The leather-jacket-wearing hothead’s power is making fireballs.

Smaller dashes of humor come from throwaway dialog, such as when the gym teacher (Bruce Campbell) – whose power is a sonic-booming voice – tries to get the big-brained “mad science” teacher to partner in a double-date. “She has an evil twin,” is his pitch.

The makeup, costumes and special effects sell “Sky High’s” colorful world without a problem. The soundtrack is successful in an equally slick but less appealing way, featuring a lot of 1980s Hughesian classics (“I Melt with You,” “Voices Carry,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”) covered by modern bands in the edgeless, Disneyfied style.

Ultimately, “Sky High” is a boardroom-produced product. That said, a quality commercial product can be fun to watch for about 90 minutes, and “Sky High” isn’t much longer than that.

Click here to visit our Superhero Zone.

Sky High (United States, 2005)

Initially, Sky High looked like it was going to be one of the summer's throw-away movies - a family comedy with suspicious similarities to last year's The Incredibles . Imagine my surprise when I discovered that not only is Sky High too good to be considered a mere "throw away," but, from a pure entertainment perspective, it is arguably the most enjoyable motion picture of the season. Sky High is funny, smart, energetic, subversive, and has a few substantive things to say. There's nothing on director Mike Mitchell's dismal resume to indicate he was capable of crafting such a welcome diversion.

There is a little of The Incredibles to be found in Sky High , but that's not where the cinematic connections end. Other allusions include X-Men, Harry Potter, Spy Kids , and Can't Buy Me Love . The script, credited to a trio of writers (Paul Hernandez, Bob Schooley, Mark McCorkle) succeeds at the tricky task of lampooning a genre while also becoming an entry. The writing is sly and knowledgeable, and chock full of "in" jokes and witticisms in categories ranging from character names ("Warren Peace" - say that aloud) to set design (Bat-poles) to throw-away lines (Lynda Carter saying, "Who do you think I am? Wonder Woman?") No, this isn't Tolstoy, and despite the "Warren Peace," it's not intended to be. But it is perfect for the mood of the film, which is one third comedy, one third action, and one third drama. And, with no sex or profanity, and only a little in the way of cartoon violence, it's appropriate for the whole family.

The central character is Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano), the 14-year old son of the world's two most revered superheroes, Commander (Kurt Russell) and Jetstream (Kelly Preston). In costume, they repeatedly save the day, while hiding behind their secret identities as mild-mannered real estate agents. For Will, it's time to start high school at his parents' alma mater, Sky High - the learning center for people with superpowers. Joining Will is his best friend, Layla (Danielle Panabaker), who has an affinity for plant life. But there's problem - Will hasn't shown any signs of superpowers, and this gets him placed in the "sidekick" class. While there, he has little chance of attracting the girl of his dreams, Gwen Grayson (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a senior with an affinity for technology. And it doesn't help that one of his teachers, Coach Boomer (Bruce Campbell), doesn't like him. How can Will survive without powers living in his parents' shadow, and how can he find a way to tell his mother and father the truth about his non-existent abilities? And what happens when Commander and Jetstream's arch-enemy hatches a diabolical plan?

For a film as effervescent as Sky High frequently is, the characters are surprisingly well developed. And there are lessons to be learned. Will's experiences with different high school cliques ("heroes" and "sidekicks") are allegorical, and illustrate themes that many pre-teens and teenagers can relate to (alienation, rebellion, etc.). A subplot that has Will turning his back on his friends when the lure of fame and status beckon recalls the storyline of the '80s teen comedy, Can't Buy Me Love . The lesson is the same: popularity is fickle, but true love and friendship last forever.

There are plenty of opportunities for laughter in Sky High , and I won't ruin the surprise of discovery by cataloguing them here. The soundtrack is strong (although there are quite a few covers), with many of the songs used in inventive ways. (Spandau Ballet's "True" being the most striking example.) The real-life difficulties of being a superhero while raising a family are acknowledged, but not overplayed. This does not feel like a rip-off of either Spy Kids or The Incredibles . The special effects are solid - believable when desired and intentionally cheesy when that's called for (such as the robot at the beginning). And the powers of many classic superheroes are represented: Spider-Man, the Flash, Plastic Man, the Human Torch, the Thing, Iceman, and Superman.

The actors are well-cast. Most of the young thespians are fresh faces with limited experience (primarily in TV projects). Michael Angarano, Danielle Panabaker, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead top a list of strong performers who capture the essences of characters that are more compelling than one might anticipate. Steven Strait is suitably James Dean-ish as Warren Peace, Will's nemesis. Better-known actors like Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, and the always welcome Bruce Campbell miss few, if any, notes. And Kevin Heffernan has a small part (as bus driver Ron Wilson) in which he channels John Candy.

There have been so many disappointments during the summer of 2005 that, upon finding something that exceeds expectations, I want to trumpet its existence. One could successfully argue that Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Batman Begins are more complete motion pictures, but it's hard to deny that Sky High has more charm. With likeable characters, an involving and amusing storyline, and solid direction, the film's appeal is hard to deny. Ignore the lame trailers and give Sky High a shot.

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Sky High Review

21 Oct 2005

100 minutes

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: an awkward adolescent with prominent parents goes to a school for specially gifted children in order to hone his special powers. That’s the premise of Sky High, which at first glance looks scarily like a Harry Potter/Incredibles hybrid. Fortunately, though, the film’s smart enough to develop its own identity.

Director Mike Mitchell cannily combines the staples of high-school comedy (bullies, romantic triangles, tyrannical teachers) with something altogether more fantastical — and it’s a blend that works well. The kids’ quirks are more original than your average superhero’s — witness the lass who can shapeshift into a purple-striped guinea pig, or the kid who melts into a puddle on cue.

But it’s the grown-up co-stars who steal the film. Kurt Russell is hilarious as the superhero dad who’s incapable of acknowledging any of his son’s shortcomings, while there’s a great little turn from Bruce Campbell as a sports teacher with a nice line in bellowing.

As derivative as it all may be, it’s still superb entertainment — and in a kids’-film market dominated by computer animation, it’s even better to see a live-action movie making its mark.

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‘Sky High’ Movie Review (2005)

By Laremy Legel

Sky High is equal measures interesting and awful. It’s the perfect tweener of a movie. It’s not terrible enough to repress immediately, and yet it’s not good enough to really talk about. It’s something right there in the middle.

When Sky High is clicking near the beginning you can see the potential of the idea. Superheroes living as normal people, having children, sending them to a high school of other superheroes. Kind of like the X-Men academy but far kitschier and certainly less cool. Some of the cut scenes from the high school do seem pulled directly from the X-Men playbook, girls freezing boys, kids running through walls and such. But the look and feel is well done. My only issue with the concept is how it got greenlit at all, as it follows on the heels of The Incredibles . Yeah, I know Pixar does what they please for Disney but didn’t it occur to anyone that these flicks mine much of the same comedy vein? Or maybe they figured they could copy/paste much of the screenplay? Whatever, they made the movie so we owe it to them to dissect where everything went terribly wrong.

The real problem is one that many movies are running across this year, the plot. Is it unspeakably bad? Well, it’s darn close. I’m sort of speaking about it now, but I wish I weren’t. The story starts as a fish out of water, if water is being in a superhero high school without any powers (unlike the other kids) and the fish is Michael Angarano. Here’s a trivia question; where does Michael Angarano start and Shia LaBeouf end? They seem like the exact same kid to me, and there can only be room for one of them in Hollywood. Perhaps a fight to the death is in order.

Anyway, I was going through the lifeless plot… So Michael (As Will Stronghold) is the son of the two most famous superheroes in Sky City, played admirably by Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston. Here you can see real modern day parallels with celebrity kids such as the child of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley whom I believe is named “Blanket.” In this case Will would be Blanket, he’s got no superpowers (unlike his parents) and the whole world is watching him. When Will/Michael/Shia goes to school and reveals he doesn’t have any powers it’s done pretty well and it feels like the movie might take an interesting turn or two.

Watch out, the wheels fall off. There’s not really another way to describe it. It’s like they were given a checklist of hackneyed plot points to hit and they nail them one by one. Unrequited love with splashes of miscommunication? Check. Turning your back on your friends before ultimately realizing how important they are? Check. Getting your superpowers and saving the day? Check. Fighting a bad kid only to realize he’s go a heart of gold? Check. Renting 10 Things I Hate About You or The Incredibles instead? Priceless.

And so, in the end Sky High can’t be salvaged. It would be a great film to take a kid under ten to, but it’s not complex or compelling enough for us full fledged adults.

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• DVD & Streaming
• Action/Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Kids , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Content Caution

In Theaters

• Michael Angarano as Will Stronghold; Kurt Russell as The Commander; Kelly Preston as Josie Jetstream

Home Release Date

• Mike Mitchell

Distributor

• Walt Disney

Movie Review

Will Stronghold is just an average suburban teenager. That’s a problem. As the only child of the greatest superheroes in the world The Commander and Jetstream (aka Steve and Josie Stronghold, real estate agents), everyone expects Will to have incredible abilities of his own. But on the first day of his freshman year at their alma mater in the clouds, Sky High, Will still can’t lift a car like Dad or defy gravity like Mom.

His inadequacies become embarrassingly clear when the snide gym teacher Coach Boomer separates the heroes from the sidekicks. Turn into a giant rock monster? Hero. Turn into a guinea pig? Sidekick. Since Will’s got nothing, he joins the academic and social ranks of “hero support” along with his best friend, Layla (who refuses to reveal her plant-controlling powers as a protest against the whole unfair “hero/sidekick dichotomy”).

But just as Will and his disappointed dad begin to accept his place in the world, a cafeteria confrontation with a fireball-throwing bad boy reveals Will’s latent super strength. Suddenly, he finds himself propelled into the hero class, skyrocketing popularity and the arms of his crush, pretty senior “technopath” Gwen Grayson. But his new status threatens his old friendships. And a villainous plot at school will force him to join the family world-saving business much sooner than anyone thought.

Levity comes courtesy of Sky High’s familiar faculty. Dave Foley steals scenes as the slightly pathetic—graying and somewhat bitter—sidekick homeroom teacher Mr. Boy. Kevin McDonald’s Mr. Medulla dispenses one-liners from under his giant brain. Rounding things out are Cloris Leachman as a school nurse with helpful x-ray vision and Linda Carter (Wonder Woman!) as Principal Powers. Who wouldn’t want to go to this high school?

Positive Elements

The PG-rated Sky High is aimed at tweens and majors on some super messages. For one, Will has two strong (really strong), committed parents who are married and genuinely like each other—unusual for kids in most Disney flicks. They’re not perfect. Dad’s expectations put lots of pressure on Will, and Will gives into some normal teen temptations including lying, disobedience and reluctantly hosting a party while the ’rents are away. But all his wrong choices have clear, negative consequences. And Mom and Dad are Will’s first stop when looking for support and guidance.

Other positive messages are more standard teen fare: We should respect everyone, including those who aren’t well liked by the crowd. We all have the potential to be heroes. Popularity isn’t worth sacrificing real friendship. We should be honest about our feelings. You’ve got to stay in good shape to look good in a latex costume.

Sexual Content

Teen romance leads to a few kisses, with one reference to “making out.” In an aside, one adult character agrees to a date when he finds out its with a woman’s “evil twin.” A few heroines sport some cleavage.

Violent Content

The cartoonish action violence is sometimes loud and fiery and often sends bodies flying and crashing through walls, but no one really gets hurt. Bullies push around smaller kids, including handing out “swirlies” and stuffing them in lockers.

Crude or Profane Language

Most bad language is carefully avoided. God’s name is used in exclamation. Coach Boomer suggests a student’s power may be “butt kissery.” G-level utterances include “shoot” and “bite me.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

Back in the late ’60s and early ’70s, a young Kurt Russell starred in a series of movies that cemented Disney’s then-reputation for live action flicks that were safe, fun and a little cheesy. Films such as The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes , The Barefoot Executive and The Strongest Man in the World delivered silly, outrageous adventures seemingly designed to be nothing more than two hours of quirky family escapism.

Disney’s squeaky-clean Sky High recaptures some of that spirit while mixing in the goofy superhero spoofery of the 1960s Batman TV series, decent special effects and the angsty teen comic drama of all those current Disney Channel sitcoms. The result is a generally kid-friendly, low stress, sometimes funny little adventure that’s easy to watch and easy to forget.

In a summer crowded with dark, brooding and complex celluloid superheroes, though, Sky High’s light tone, bright colors, chuckles and easy lessons may provide a welcome relief to families looking to satiate their youngsters’ hero-hunger.

Christopher Lyon

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

A Lot or a Little?

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

Crime seems to pay handsomely to those who aim to

A seemingly nice guy turns violent and power-hungr

A woman is shot at point-blank range in the head.

Breasts are seen as couples have sex in dim lighti

"F--k," "s--t," "p--sy," "d--k," "ass," "hell," "d

Adults smoke cigarettes.

Parents need to know that Sky High is the phrase young punk Angel uses to describe the heights he wants to reach in his criminal endeavors. This Spanish drama (in Spanish with English subtitles) showcases many jewelry and luxury car heists, some violent and chaotic and others subtle and well-planned…

Positive Messages

Crime seems to pay handsomely to those who aim to rise above petty and thoughtless thievery. Cops are mostly dirty and protect the most powerful criminals. If you're okay with getting arrested now and then, the stakes are worth it, until they’re not.

Positive Role Models

A seemingly nice guy turns violent and power-hungry, is unfaithful to two women, and flaunts his disdain for authority to his own detriment.

Violence & Scariness

A woman is shot at point-blank range in the head. Blood is seen. A boyfriend and girlfriend shove each other. Cars crash. Thugs punch each other and threaten each other. Hoards of armed police chase criminals.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Breasts are seen as couples have sex in dim lighting. Sexual moaning is heard. A man and woman kiss passionately in a car.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"F--k," "s--t," "p--sy," "d--k," "ass," "hell," "damn," "bastard," "bitch," "prick," "jerk off," "suck," "douchebag," and "f-ggot."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Sky High is the phrase young punk Angel uses to describe the heights he wants to reach in his criminal endeavors. This Spanish drama (in Spanish with English subtitles) showcases many jewelry and luxury car heists, some violent and chaotic and others subtle and well-planned. Characters pull guns on each other and get into fights. A woman is shot at point-blank range in the head. Blood is seen. Expect frequent use of language, including "f--k," "s--t," "p--sy," "d--k," "ass," "hell," "damn," "bastard," "bitch," "prick," "jerk off," "suck," "douchebag," and "f-ggot." Bare breasts are seen in sex scenes. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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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?

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?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 18, 2020
• On DVD or streaming : April 1, 2021
• Cast : Miguel Herrán , Luis Tosar , Asia Ortega , Carolina Yuste , Richard Holmes , Fernando Cayo
• Director : Daniel Calparsoro
• Inclusion Information : Latino actors, Female actors
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Drama
• Run time : 121 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : July 14, 2023

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"At Last, A Fun Comic Book Movie!"

What You Need To Know:

SKY HIGH is hilarious. Often, it is very tongue-in-cheek, intentionally corny, yet full of great insights into high school life. Director Mike Mitchell has done a terrific job of keeping this movie on course. SKY HIGH transcends its own B-movie genre by being better made, better acted, better directed, and more fun than most comic book movies.

(BBB, C, L, V, N, M) Very strong moral family worldview with several clearly defined moral decisions including giving up the Number One girl on campus for the girl who is really your best friend, apologizing to your parents and vice versa, taking responsibility for your actions, caring for others, and consistently trying to save and help others, with of course light Christian undertones but nothing overt; five light obscenities and two Oh, God; lots of action violence, including heavy objects dropped on people, adults turned into babies, one character throws balls of flame at another, heavy objects thrown at people, and many comic action violent activities with shape changing, but these are all done with a light touch and no on screen murders , unlike movies like FANTASTIC 4; typical high school romantic interests, mild kissing three or four times and nothing salacious; babies in diapers but no other nudity; no alcohol, smoking or drugs; and, shape-changing and deception and lying by villain but rebuked.

More Detail:

SKY HIGH is the first fun, funny comic book movie of 2005. Unlike the heavy-handed FANTASTIC FOUR, SKY HIGH keeps a balanced tone, that may appeal to a broader age range and that elicited applause at the end of the movie. Although it has some profound themes, it never strays into the darkness of many other comic book movies.

A comic book type movie created just for the motion picture medium, the movie tells the story of Will Stronghold, whose parents are famous superheroes, the Commander and Jetstream. When they’re not saving the world the Commander and Jetstream are real estate agents, Steve and Josie.

SKY HIGH opens with Will going to a special high school for the children of superheroes. During the first day, each student has to reveal their powers. One can melt, another can turn into a guinea pig, another can grow plants, another is super fast, and Will, well, he doesn’t have any superpowers, but everyone expects him to because his parents are the most renowned graduates of Sky High. Will’s best friend, Layla (who has the power to grow plants), decides to be a sidekick with Will. The sidekicks are made up of teenagers whose powers are too feeble to be superheroes.

For some reason, however, the top girl on campus, Gwen, who is a superhero and can move technology with her mind, takes a liking to freshman Will. Meanwhile, another superhero who can shoot fireballs out of his hands, Warren, resents Will because Will’s father, the Commander, sent Warren’s father to jail.

The plot thickens as it becomes clear that someone is trying to destroy the superheroes by turning them into babies. Will discovers that he does have some powers, but makes some critical mistakes along the way. The story involves him learning from his mistakes and trying to save the world when the villain is revealed and his parents are turned into babies.

SKY HIGH is hilarious. Often, it is very tongue-in-cheek, intentionally corny, yet full of great insights into high school life. Director Mike Mitchell has done a terrific job of keeping this movie on course. The plot points are unexpected, well developed and properly positioned. This is not an attempt at serious art, but it transcends its own B-movie genre by being better made, better acted, better directed, and more fun than most comic book movies.

Kurt Russell plays the Commander and is a wonderful father figure. He too has to learn from his mistakes.

Love is the bottom line that holds all the relationships together. Lust is rejected. And, self-discipline and doing the right thing are more important than romance. Thus, the movie teaches virtue while entertaining the audience. It is one of the best of the Class of 2005.

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Sky High Parent Guide

This superhero movie rises above its genre with a light touch and laugh out loud humor that will be appreciated by viewers of all ages..

Going to a "special" high school just means extra pressure for Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano), the son of two super heroes. Unsure he has inherited any of the right stuff, the teenager is forced to find out after he meets a classmates with a grudge against his family.

Release date July 28, 2005

Run Time: 100 minutes

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by rod gustafson.

High school is tough enough already, but imagine if you had to worry about other issues while negotiating the thorns and flowers of puberty. Such is the case for a select group of teens attending Sky High, a very “special” school for those with budding superhero powers.

Among the freshman is Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano), son of Commander Stronghold (Kurt Russel) and Jetstream (Kelly Preston). Because they are two of the most famous superheroes in the world, Will’s reputation precedes him as he steps upon the turf of his parents’ Alma Mater. Yet, what his fellow students (and even his mom and dad) don’t know is, Will still hasn’t discovered his special power.

First day jitters just get worse when it’s time for gym class and Coach Boomer (Bruce Campbell) begins having the kids demonstrate their powers. Based on Boomer’s assessment, they are either designated as a “hero” or a “sidekick”—the latter being the group to which Will’s friends are ascribed. But for the boy with the super pedigree, high expectations make the situation even more humiliating. The only thing worse is having to reveal his lowly sidekick status to his father.

However, a school rebel inadvertently helps the young man unlock his potential. Warren Peace (Steven Strait), the flame-throwing offspring of a hero mother and a villain father, has a grudge against the Stronghold family. When he decides to take out his hot temper on the cold-footed Will, the confrontation leaves the underdog suddenly bursting with newfound strength—and reassigned to the hero class.

Sadly, the promotion means seeing less of his sidekick friends, however Will gets over any feelings of remorse after meeting his new lab partner Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), an attractive senior and student body president—with a secret.

For those expecting another teen movie, Sky High rises far above the rest of this genre. The imaginative script parallels jocks and geeks, with the added benefit of providing some great discussion starters and lessons for young audiences. These serious moments come off with grace and style, thanks to a good dose of humor that works for children and grown-ups.

Not falling into the “kids know best” trap, both young and old play necessary roles within this community of characters. For instance, Will learns the importance of trusting his parents, while Ron the bus driver (Kevin Heffernan), an adult who didn’t inherit his parents’ best genetic traits, demonstrates how you don’t need superpowers to make a significant difference.

With virtually no profanity, only a few moments of teen romance, and some superhero violence that’s never overdone, Sky High graduates with flying colors for family viewing,

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Rod Gustafson

Watch the trailer for sky high.

Sky High Parents' Guide

In reality, how are heroes and sidekicks determined in your school? Is this a fair classification? Where do you think you fit?

What role does peer pressure play in Will’s life? How did his relationship with Gwen put him and his family at risk? Have you, or your friends, ever been “blinded” by love?

Ron, the bus driver, should have had the benefits of super powers after having two superhero parents. How does he make up for this loss? How can attitude affect our outlook on life?

Loved this movie? Try these books…

​Young readers who daydream about being superheroes should get a kick out of Deb Pilutti’s Ten Rules of Being a Superhero .

Preschoolers will enjoy The Day I Lost My Superpowers by Michael Escoffier. This sweet story combines children, superpowers, and warm parent-child relationships in a story parents and kids will both enjoy.

Teen readers will likely enjoy Dangerous by Shannon Hale. This novel tells the story of the world’s least likely superhero, Maisie Danger Brown, a one-armed, half-Peruvian teenager living in Salt Lake City. Can Maisie develop superpowers and save the world? You betcha.

Shannon Hale has also written a series for younger readers about a superhero princess. Entitled Princess in Black , the series follows Princess Magnolia and her alter ego.

What if the sidekick is the one who saves the world? In A Hero at the End of the World , Erin Claiborne tells the story of Oliver Abrams, friend of the destined superhero, who defeats the villain. Teens will likely enjoy this twist on the Harry Potter series.

The most recent home video release of Sky High movie is November 28, 2005. Here are some details…

School has never been as out of this world as it is in Buena Vista Home Entertainment’s Sky High . Offered either in wide or full screen editions, the DVD features an alternate opening, Breaking Down the Walls (the stunts of Sky High) and Welcome to Sky High (a behind-the-scenes look at the making the movie with the cast and crew). All buddy superheroes will take comfort in the Super Bloopers (which features a little extra kissing not mentioned in our review, and a prank that shows a boy in boxer shorts), while music fans will enjoy Bowling for Soup’s music video I Melt With You . Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), with subtitles in French.

Related home video titles:

The Incredibles is another film with super characters, created jointly by Disney and Pixar Studios. And did you notice the old yearbook picture of Will’s dad? In a past Disney film, Kurt Russell (Captain Stronghold) played a whiz kid in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes , the movie in which he wore that same great sports jacket!

Sky High Director Reveals Plot Details for Canceled Sequel

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Sky High almost got a sequel with original cast members returning, but it wasn't meant to be. The director of the film, Kung Fu Panda 4 helmer Mike Mitchell, has now revealed what the plan was for the unmade movie.

The filmmaker addressed what happened with Sky High 2 in a new interview with ComicBook.com . He confirmed that the original cast members would be reprising their roles, and the plot would see the former students now serving as teachers at a collegiate superhero campus. Mitchell further shared how much he enjoyed making the original movie and pointed out what it has in common with his newest film.

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" All the original kids would be back again , including Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun). That was one of his first films," Mitchell said, referring to Braun's character in the hit HBO series Succession . "Mary Elizabeth Winsted as Royal Pain, Kurt Russell would have to be back as well... We figured all the kids are now grown up and they're all university teachers at a place called Save U . You just take all that fun and we bring it from the high school into the college years. It would be such a blast."

"We figured all the kids are now grown up and they're all university teachers at a place called Save U."

He added, "I was a huge fan of that film as well. I've never had so much fun working on something. That is also to say Kung Fu Panda 4 was pretty great to work on as well. Both of them got to incorporate funny action too, which I think is really important . I love a film where you don't just get to be funny, but you get to really have fun and also insane action. Those films are similar in that way."

Samuel L. Jackson Starred in Two Nearly Identical Non-Marvel Superhero Movies

Samuel L. Jackson is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and the superhero genre, yet his superhero movies like Unbreakable and Jumper are ignored.

Directed by Mitchell, Sky High was written by Paul Hernandez, Bob Schooley, and Mark McCorkle. It follows Michael Angarano as Will Stronghold, a teenager with superhero parents who'd enrolled him into an airborne high school where he learns how to use his powers. The film also stars Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Steven Strait, Nicholas Braun, and Bruce Campbell.

Will a Sky High Follow-Up Ever Happen?

Disney made an official announcement in 2016, more than a decade after the 2005 film's release, that a sequel was in the works. It was later reported that a television series spinoff was planned, but like the movie sequel, this project seems to have similarly fizzled out . Time will tell if the franchise ever gets revisited.

Sky High is streaming on Disney+ .

Source: ComicBook.com

Set in an era where superheroes are commonly known and accepted, young William Stronghold, the son of the Commander and Jetstream, tries to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being.

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Sky High 2: Cancelled Sequel's Plot Details & Returning Cast Revealed By Director

• Director Mike Mitchell revealed plans for a canceled Sky High sequel involving the original students as teachers at a superhero college.
• Cast members Mary Elizabeth Winsted and Kurt Russell were set to return for Sky High 2 , which unfortunately never came to fruition.
• Mitchell envisioned a fun transition from high school to college years for the characters at a place called Save U, promising an exciting sequel.

Director Mike Mitchell is opening up about every key detail from the canceled Sky High sequel. The original movie was released in 2005 and followed the adventures of a group of students at a high school for superheroes. It was relatively successful, having earned $86.4 million on a budget of $35 million. In 2016, Disney announced plans to produce a sequel, but there have been few new developments in the years since. Unfortunately, Sky High 2 simply never happened .

In an interview with ComicBook.com to promote Kung Fu Panda 4 , Mitchell spoke sparingly about the potential story and the cast members for Sky High 2 . The original students would have returned as teachers , and the narrative would have involved a college for superheroes. Other cast members, including Mary Elizabeth Winsted and Kurt Russell would also have returned. Check out his full quote below:

"All the original kids would be back again, including Cousin Greg [Nicholas Braun]. That was one of his first films. Mary Elizabeth Winsted as Royal Pain, Kurt Russell would have to be back as well. We figured all the kids are now grown up and they're all university teachers at a place called Save U. You just take all that fun and we bring it from the high school into the college years. It would be such a blast."

Why Was Sky High 2 Never Made?

Is there still a chance sky high 2 can be produced.

The budget is a major reason for the slow development of Sky High 2 . The Sky High cast includes many names who would go on to become major faces in Hollywood. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's horror movies , for instance, are now incredibly prominent in theaters, as she has gone on to star in 10 Cloverfield Lane , Final Destination 3 , and countless other movies. Kurt Russell and Nicholas Braun are also prominent actors and would likely demand a sizable cut of the budget themselves. In addition to the CGI expenditure and the opportunity costs, Sky High 2 would be an expensive project.

Besides, the idea of a sequel to Sky High was already 11 years late when it was announced in 2016, and the years since have only seen more distance from the original. Nostalgic viewers are quickly growing out of the target audience, leaving little space for the sequel. The prominence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is another Disney product, has also replaced Mitchell's world. If it hopes to produce a school-based superhero movie, Disney can put that budget into the MCU-based X-Men , which will have a far greater return on investment.

Marvel's X-Men Movie: Everything We Know

Anticipation is high for the MCU's X-Men movie reboot, but details are still scarce about when the movie will be released and what it will be about.

Should there ever be a flood of attention to Sky High on Disney+, Disney could consider developing a sequel. As it stands, putting that attention to more popular properties is the choice that Disney found most alluring. Those searching for school-based superheroes will have to look to the existing Fox X-Men movies or to Prime Video's Gen V , which is hardly as appropriate for children and families as Sky High is. Sky High 2 could have revived the franchise, but development has simply stalled.

Source: ComicBook.com

Director Mike Mitchell

Release Date July 29, 2005

Studio(s) Disney

Distributor(s) Disney

Writers Mike Mitchell

Cast Michael Angarano, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Rating pg-13

Runtime 100minutes

Genres Comedy, Adventure

Budget $35million

Sky High is a 2005 comedy that follows the son of two famous superheroes as he attends a high school for student heroes. Michael Angarano stars alongside Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kurt Russell, and Kelly Preston, with appearances by Bruce Campbell and Lynda Carter.

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