Sometimes a movie’s premise sounds horrible yet it turns out OK. I’m thinking Disney’s Sky High is not one of these projects. With the debut of the movie poster (credit: Coming Soon!), I’m almost certain this is a bomb waiting to detonate.
Before we see the poster, let’s read the premise as written by Disney’s marketing gurus: When you're the son of the world's most legendary superheroes The Commander (Kurt Russell) and Jetstream (Kelly Preston), there is only one school for you - Sky High, an elite high school that is entrusted with the responsibility of molding today's power-gifted students into tomorrow's superheroes. The problem is that Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) is starting with no superpowers of his own and, worst of all, instead of joining the ranks of the "Hero" class, he finds himself relegated to being a "Sidekick." Now he must somehow survive his freshman year while dealing with an overbearing gym coach (Bruce Campbell), a bully with super speed and an dangerous rebel with a grudge (and the ability to shoot fire from his hands)... not to mention the usual angst, parental expectations and girl problems that accompany teenage life. But when an evil villain threatens his family, friends and the very sanctity of Sky High, Will must use his newfound superpowers to save the day and prove himself a "Hero" worthy of the family tradition.
Disney worries me sometimes. I would have cancelled this project the second I saw my first clip from The Incredibles. When an animated film shows more life than a live action movie, I think we might have a problem.
As for the poster, take a look for yourself. I’m not sure if Goldie Hawn is married to Kurt Russell, but if she is, I’d divorce him now.
Sky High, directed by Mike Mitchell, stars Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Lynda Carter, Michael Angarano, Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Bruce Campbell and Dave Foley arrives in theatres on July 29th.
