Zoom
By Jane Louise BoursawAverage User Rating:
MPAA Rating: PG for brief rude humor, language, and mild action
Yup, Summer (Kate Mara) is a superhero. She just needs a little training to hone those powers and use them for good. When she and three other kids (Spencer Breslin, Ryan Newman, and Michael Cassidy) – all geeky in their own way – are whisked off to the Academy for the Super Gifted, it’s clear they’ve got a lot to learn about themselves. None of them fit in where they live, but you have a feeling right from the beginning that the unpopular kids will come out on top.
Here’s where Summer’s dad, Jack, comes into the picture. Known as Captain Zoom for his incredible speed, Jack’s powers have faded, so now he works at the Academy, teaching young superheroes how to develop and control their powers. His latest charges include the above-mentioned kids, including his daughter, who only recently learned of her father’s powers.
When it appears that an object is moving towards the planet, the superheroes are called into action to, you know, save the world. They also have to contend with nemesis kids from the Graves School of Super Villainy. Kevin Zegers, who recently shone in Transamerica, brings his own brand of trouble to our heroes.
This movie has a few things going for it: The special effects are fun. It’s based on Jason Lethcoe’s wonderful book series for young adults, “Amazing Adventures From Zoom’s Academy.” And it also has some established actors — Chevy Chase, Courteney Cox, Rip Torn, and Tim Allen — as well as up and coming younger actors. I love Tim Allen and keep rooting for him to come up with a role that’ll put him back on the map the way Home Improvement, Buzz Lightyear, and, some would say, Galaxy Quest, did.
It’s hard not to make comparisons to similar movies like Sky High, The Incredibles, Spy Kids, and even the Harry Potter series with its Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But Zoom fails to measure up to these movies. The plot is predictable and covers the usual teen angst, family issues, fitting in, and realizing your gifts, that most family movies seem to cover. It’s harmless fun for kids, but there’s not a whole lot of new material here.
PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): There’s nothing particularly objectionable in this movie, but because it has real people as opposed to animated characters, and because the storyline follows some grown-up issues involving families, friends, and the like, preschoolers will probably be bored after the first five minutes. For some tot-friendly superheroes, check out Lazy Town, a clever TV series about eight-year old Stephanie, who’s caught between a health-nut superhero and the world’s laziest bad guy. This is a colorful show with a good message about staying healthy and finding balance. Also, Higglytown Heroes, another TV series that shows who the real superheroes are — firefighters, plumbers, and telephone operators in our own towns. Check local TV listings for these cool shows.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6-10): With characters ranging from grade-school-aged to adults, this movie is trying to be all things to all ages. But it’s especially appealing to grade-schoolers because of the awesome special effects, which are more kid-friendly than, say, the X-Men or Pirates of the Caribbean movies. It also has the usual barrage of crude humor, stemming partly from Tucker’s (Spencer Breslin) powers to expand any part of his body (grade-schoolers love that stuff).
TWEEN/TEEN (ages 11+): Struggling with her own teen angst and unpopularity in high school, Summer finally finds a home at the Academy. And as her dad teaches the kids to develop their powers, he regains a sense of control over his own powers. Together, father and daughter work together to, save the world, find their place in the world, and work through some family issues. All in a day’s work for a superhero.
Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries.
