Zoom: Academy for Superheroes parents guide

Zoom: Academy for Superheroes Parent Guide

Overall B-

Middle age and a bad attitude have taken their toll on Captain Zoom (Tim Allen). So it is with reluctance that the former superhero, whose powers are as out of shape as his body, is forced back into active duty to take on the assignment of training a group of equally misfit kids to be the next generation of superheroes.

Release date August 10, 2006

Violence B
Sexual Content A-
Profanity A-
Substance Use A-

Why is Zoom: Academy for Superheroes rated PG? The MPAA rated Zoom: Academy for Superheroes PG

Parent Movie Review

It sounds like a promising premise. A former superhero and comic book legend known as Zoom (Tim Allen) is called back into action when an old enemy poses a new threat—not to reprise his daring deeds, but to train a new generation of potential superheroes.

Tranquilized and forcibly returned to the secret government agency that honed his unique talents as a youth, the jaded middle-aged man meets their young recruits. They include six-year-old Cindy (Ryan Newman), an incredibly strong young lady with a stronger desire to play dress-up, twelve-year-old Tucker (Spenser Breslin), whose tubby body can expand to immense proportions, sweet sixteen Summer (Kate Mara), a beauty with extraordinary brain power, and seventeen-year-old Dylan (Michael Cassidy), whose cocky and angst filled attitude is almost as amazing as his ability to disappear.

The problem with the movie is, once the introductory credits with the voiced-over narration ends, the plot also vanishes! Instead, the film presents a series of montage sequences—all edited to popular music, of course. These feature things like the candidates’ tryouts (where a group of kids demonstrate their not-always-so-super skills, such as producing giant amounts of gas or green slime from their nose), training exercises (involving a paintball machine and havoc-wreaking opportunities), taking a flying saucer for a spin (that offers a perfect product placement for a fast-food franchise), and seeking vengeance on the chief scientist, played by Chevy Chase (which appears to have been added simply to provide the veteran actor a cameo comedic moment).

The only positive angle to this lack of story may be the similar lack of content issues. A slinky green dress worn by Courtney Cox in her role as the children’s psychiatrist and brief innuendo comprise the only sexual concerns. Nor will much offense be given by some mild stylized violence, slight rude humor and one term of deity used as an expletive.

Still, this hardly compensates for the disappointing script. With competition from the deluge of other superhero films that have recently flooded theaters, I predict Zoom will quickly debut on the silver screen, then make a speedy retreat to the home entertainment market.

Starring Tim Allen, Ryan Newman, Spenser Breslin, Kate Mara, Michael Cassidy, Chevy Chase . Theatrical release August 10, 2006. Updated

Zoom: Academy for Superheroes
Rating & Content Info

Why is Zoom: Academy for Superheroes rated PG? Zoom: Academy for Superheroes is rated PG by the MPAA

Comic book type violence, including stylized superhero action and hand-to-hand combat, is featured in this movie. Flatulence, burping, and nasal excretions are played for humor. A woman seen in a low cut dress, some mild innuendo and inference of romantic interest presents the only sexual content. A term of deity is used as an expletive. The use of a tranquilizer dart is shown and the mention is made of radiation being used to alter the human body.

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Zoom: Academy for Superheroes Parents' Guide

Each of the exceptional children portrayed in this film have experienced teasing and bullying because of their unusual talents. Why is being “different” often a target for ridicule? How interesting would life be if everyone was the same? How do you feel you should react to the uniqueness of each individual?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Zoom: Academy for Superheroes movie is February 13, 2007. Here are some details…

The bonus materials on the DVD release of Zoom: Academy for Superheroes offers a crash course on Bringing Super Heroes to Life: The Making of Zoom, as well as the Academy of Super Heroes Guide For Kids. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), with subtitles in English and French.

Related home video titles:

Young superheroes are the main attraction in the movies Sky High and The Incredibles. Tim Allen lends his voice to another action figure in the Toy Story franchise. Spencer Breslin, who plays Tucker, can also be seen in Disney’s: The Kid.