Movie review: Sky High

The key to the success of a one-joke movie is the filmmakers' sense for when the joke has run out of juice. The creators of Sky High have their finger expertly placed on their movie's pulse.

This comes as something of a surprise because director Mike Mitchell's only other movies -- Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and Surviving Christmas -- beat their thin premises to death. But this time, he deftly changes focus at just the right time.

Sky High is a school for the children of superheroes, a place where the teenagers learn to define and harness their powers. The school's administrators are excited about their newest pupil. As the son of the city's two most famous superheroes, Cmdr. Stronghold (Kurt Russell) and Josie Jetstream (Kelly Preston), it's assumed by everyone that Will (Michael Angarano) is destined for greatness.

But Will has a secret: He hasn't shown any signs of having superpowers. Worried about disappointing his parents and embarrassing the family name, he tries to fake his way through school -- not a good idea at a place where one test involves catching a car that's dropped from the ceiling.

Although initially amusing, the scenario hasn't got legs, superpowered or otherwise. It's not long before Will's sham is discovered and he's relegated to the school's "sidekick track."

This is when Mitchell surprises us. Will becomes infatuated with the most glamorous girl in school (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), not realizing that his down-to-earth neighbor (Danielle Panabaker) has a crush on him.

This is an oft-told tale in teen date movies, but one for which the target audience never seems to grow weary. Mitchell executes it solidly, even managing to steer the climax back to the movie's initial superpowers theme without making the conversion seem too forced.

Russell and Preston aren't the only famous adults tackling supporting roles. Lynda Carter plays the principal. (Her best line: "What am I, a wonder woman?") Bruce Campbell breaks with his Evil Dead image as a loopy gym teacher. And as the teacher who tutors sidekicks, Dave Foley demonstrates why he was a successful comedian before he started hosting poker on cable TV.

Angarano (Lords of Dogtown) is overshadowed in the scenes he shares with the energetic Russell. But his low-key, tentative demeanor fits his character. It helps keep Sky High afloat.