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Movie: Zoom
2.5 of 4 Stars
Rated PG for mild language and violence
Reviewer: David Criswell, Ph.D.
Featuring:
Tim Allen, Courteney Cox-Arquette, Chevy Chase, Kevin Zegers, Aaron
Abrams, Kate Mara
Director:
Peter Hewitt (Garfield, Tom and Huck)
“A former superhero is called back to work to transform an unlikely group of
ragtag kids into new heroes at a private academy.” If this sounds familiar, it is
probably because last years’ Sky High had virtually the exact same plot. Of
course, if there is anything that Hollywood is good at, it is remakes, rip-offs,
and sequels. Having said that, the fact that this is a blatant rip-off does not
mean that it is bad. In fact, some rip-offs are better than the originals.
Moreover, Zoom is based on a comic strip so it is technically no more of a rip-
off than Superman is of Captain Marvel (or was Captain Marvel a rip-off of
Superman?). How then does it stack up to Sky High?
Although Sky High’s cast was great, Zoom boasts Tim Allen whose knack for
comedy is well known. Chevy Chase returns to movies as an unlikable
technician and Rip Torn appears in a role which looks like a clone of his role
in Men in Black. The newcomers also do a fine job. On a theatrical level, the
movie is a step down from Sky High, although (judging from the audience
reaction during and after the movie) Zoom may be a film that appeals more to
the younger crowd. I found it entertaining, but not particularly worth the cost
of movie prices today. Nevertheless, the children in the audience appeared to
have fun, and a few broke out into applause at the end of the film.
In the film several children are recruited for a top secret organization but the
retired Zoom does not seem eager to teach the children. He seems apathetic
and uncaring as he is still distraught, mistrustful, and angry over the
government abuses that destroyed the last superhero team. Eventually, he
and the children become not a team, but a family. They fight to stop the evil
brother of Zoom, and reverse the effects which turned him from goodness.
Morally the film is aimed at younger audiences although the lurking
appearance of toilet humor rears its nasty head on a few occasions. One
child calls someone a “lard butt,” there is joke about passing gas, a
disgusting burp, and most disgusting is a scene where a kid blows nasal
phlegm (of massive proportions) over several characters. Thus the movie is
clearly PG for parental guidance. Despite these instances, the film is targeted
for children and generally good.
One issue that parents may want to discuss after the movie, however, is how
the movie portrays good and evil. In Zoom, the villain is presented as being
evil because of a dose of gamma radiation. Zoom later tries to reverse the
effects of the gamma radiation through superhero technobabel. Although the
issue is not particularly harmful to the movie, parents should teach their
children that evil is not artificially created but a part of the sinfulness of
human nature. One cannot “reverse” evil’s effects by any means save the
Messiah, Jesus Christ. In an age where terrorism should show how evil in the
world is manifest, the apparent detachment of evil from issues of morality
seems out of place.
Overall, Zoom was entertaining, if not spectacular. It will appeal more to
children than adults, but adults should enjoy it as well. If you don’t have
children, I would recommend waiting until it is on DVD and making it a double
feature with the superior Sky High.
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: None
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