Sky High [Blu-ray]

Experience the wonder of the film the New York Times calls "a clever hybrid of HARRY POTTER and THE INCREDIBLES" as Disney’s SKY HIGH soars on Blu-ray’s high definition disc. The fun and excitement reach new heights in this extraordinary format. The son of legendary crime fighters Commander and Jetstream, Will Stronghold has huge expectations as he enters a high-tech school known for molding the heroes of tomorrow. But with no apparent superpowers of his own, is Will destined to be a mere sidekick? Watch in eye-popping 1080p as Will discovers his true strengths, and experience the awesome power of 5.1 48 kHz, 16-bit uncompressed audio. Heroic adventure truly takes flight with Blu-ray™ High Definition!

The idea of a high school for superheroes will appeal to teens and preteens, who struggle powerlessly with petty authoritarians, bullying peers, and their own rampant hormones, and Sky High spotlights young Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano, Lords of Dogtown), the son of top-of-the-heap superheroic couple the Commander (Kurt Russell, Tango & Cash) and Josie Jetstream (Kelly Preston, View from the Top). Unfortunately, though he's about to be dropped into the midst of kids who can stretch, turn to living stone, or shoot fire, Will has yet to develop any powers at all--and may never develop them. His development anxieties (and some entertaining metaphors for high school social hierarchies) contrast with a bubbling plot by an old foe of the Commander's to destroy Sky High and all of superhero-dom. Sky High has a great supporting cast (including Bruce Campbell, Army of Darkness; Dave Foley, NewsRadio; Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman; and Cloris Leachman, Young Frankenstein) and a handful of funny, offhand bits, but the bulk of the movie is bland and obvious. Younger kids may not mind the clumsy action scenes, generic dialogue, and tacky production design, but even comic-book-loving teenagers will label Sky High bargain-basement. --Bret Fetzer