Hollywood's comic-book craze continues this weekend with the release of Disney's "Sky High" (search) — a story about an exclusive high school for "power gifted" students.
Kurt Russell (search) plays a legendary hero whose son is in his first year at "Sky High."
"Everybody there has a superpower of some kind, and it's just comparisons of who can do what and everyone wants to know: which one is greater and which one is lesser? Where do I stack up in that?" he told FOX News.
The movie follows the life and tale of Will Stronghold, the only child of possibly the two greatest superheroes in the history of the planet: Commander and Jetstream.
"The only problem with Will is he's their only child, so everyone thinks he might inherit his father's super strength or his mother's supersonic flight," star Michael Angarano (search ), who plays Will, told AP Television News at the Sunday screening. "The problem with Will is he doesn't inherit any of their powers, and he has no powers whatsoever."
The role of Will's mother is filled by Kelly Preston (search).
"When I read the script, I just thought, 'It's so upbeat, and it's so much a family movie,'" Preston told the AP at the film's premiere.
"It's the perfect Disney," she continued. "It's almost like the Disney movies of yesteryear — you know, those great ones that you could take the whole family to. And it's upbeat and it's clean and I loved the fact that it's a new concept."
The "Sky High" cast includes Lynda Carter (search), who portrayed Wonder Woman in the 1976-79 prime-time series.
"Normally, I have stayed away from sitcoms wanting to take advantage of the 'Wonder Woman' thing, because it's much more about their show and not about my character," said Carter, who turned 54 Sunday and soon returns to the big screen in "The Dukes of Hazzard."
"And I don't ever want to cheapen her, I love her too much," she said. "You know, I love Wonder Woman. But this one was just a nod, a salute. It was paying homage to her in a way."
Associated Press film critic Christy Lemire found the film funny and touching, giving it two and a half stars out of four.
"'Sky High' captures the humor and heartache lurking in the high school halls. The idea isn't exactly original, and neither is the fact that the students who attend Sky High — which is literally hidden among the clouds — are there to hone their superpowers.
"Eventually, the bullies get their comeuppance, the nerds have their day, and young love flourishes. All of this takes place at that teen-movie staple, The Big Dance. But 'Sky High' is so funny and sweet and observant — and so much warmer than other family films that feign hipness through product placement and pop culture references — you won't mind that the steps feel familiar," she wrote.
FOX News' Mike Waco and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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