Set in a world where superheroes are commonly known and accepted, young Will Stronghold, the son of the Commander and Jetstream, tries to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being.
Michael Angarano
Will Stronghold
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Gwen Grayson / Royal Pain
Kurt Russell
Steve Stronghold / The Commander
Kelly Preston
Josie Stronghold / Jetstream
Danielle Panabaker
Layla Williams
Bruce Campbell
Coach Boomer
Lynda Carter
Principal Powers
Kevin Heffernan
Ron Wilson, Bus Driver
Dee Jay Daniels
Ethan
Kelly Vitz
Magenta
Loren Berman
Little Larry
Nicholas Braun
Zachary "Zach" Braun / Zack Attack
Steven Strait
Warren Peace
Malika
Penny
Khadijah Haqq McCray
Penny
Jake Sandvig
Lash
Will Harris
Speed
Dustin Ingram
Carbon Copy Kid
Christopher Wynne
News Anchor
Cloris Leachman
Nurse Spex
Jim Rash
Mr. Grayson / Stitches
Dave Foley
Mr. Boy
Kevin McDonald
Mr. Medulla
Amy Brown
Twin
Kimmy Brown
Evil Twin
Lucille Soong
Cook
Zachry Rogers
Young Commander
Tom Kenny
Mr. Timmerman
Jill Talley
Mrs. Timmerman
Patrick Warburton
Royal Pain (voice)
Vakisha Coleman
Student Sidekick (uncredited)
Sean Gordon
Penny's Date (uncredited)
Hans Hernke
Laser-Vision Boy (uncredited)
Jason Maxim
Funky Prom Boy (uncredited)
Director
Mike Mitchell
Writer
Mark McCorkle
Writer
Bob Schooley
Writer
Paul Hernandez
September 20, 2020
8
Great watch, will watch again, and can recommend.
This is one of the best superhero movies outside of DC and Marvel movies. Not only does it use the silly costumes that I like from comics, but it incorporates it as part of normal life: the world is clearly built to show that Supers are somewhat normal to see, and that there is a community of them. It's basically Professor X's school if people treated Mutants like the Avengers.
The immediate problems are in the the casting: there are SO MANY great people, almost everyone is funny and takes to their roles perfectly, but the lead, the focus of the story, is forgettable, and it is completely unbelievable that he would have these girls after him, let alone someone who we're happy to have powers. And I hate Kurt Russell, but the movie is so good I forget he's in it until he suddenly appears and smarms it up.
A "coming of age" story, with "high school politics", and "girl next door" tropes all mixed together is a good recipe, and with super powers to keep it interesting. I think that's the thing that makes this movie stand out. Using the super powers, the movie is all about SHOW, don't tell. A lot of movie forget this, overusing narration and dialogue out of place.
The content of the movie is all about meaningful dialogue, showing the world, and how it works. It is also about being fun, they pay special detail to the scenes to keep it light and add something extra to the scenes. Another thing that comedy movies forget is that a joke should compliment the movie, not stop it: there are so many little bits sewn into the movie that happen to the side (Larry being a 2-ton rock at a party), or as part of the world building (a hero support montage of utility belts).
The oddest parts of the movie deal with teens dating and their parents, it's perfectly apt, but you can feel the awkwardness of the situation.
If you've ever liked any super hero anything, then give this a go, you'll probably like it.