Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 5

August 9, 2005

Films Reviewed: The Island and Sky High

Commentary: The works of Kurt Russell

Featurette: Behind the scenes of The Island

Regarding The Island:

Matt: Well, for a Michael Bay film, it actually keeps itself in check until the second hour.  And I will admit the car chases and explosions served a purpose and made for a reasonably exciting sci-fi film.  Sure, you've seen it before in the 1970's, but it does work fine.  Three stars.

Aron: I felt the advertising on this film was very misleading.  I was expecting something along the lines of "Survivor" or The Beach.  Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is not the case.  Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson make a good futuristic couple trying to escape from their system.  Three stars.

Average Rating: *** (out of ****)

Regarding Sky High:

Aron: What a fun movie!  The teen cast in this are all great as superheroes in training at their titular high school.  No super power is left unturned and the adult cast fit in the ensemble very nicely.  Lots of inside superhero jokes and very interesting uses of songs from the 1980s.  Three stars.

Matt: I felt the film had a great first act and a fantastic third act, but the second act really needed the assistance of a mid-1980's John Hughes.  But the superhero action is nothing short of awesome (even compared to some recent superhero films) and Bruce Campbell makes the best PE coach on screen ever.  Three stars.

Average Rating: *** (out of ****)

Commentary: Sky High marks a milestone in Kurt Russell's career.  This is the first time he plays a parent in a Disney comedy from all the years he played teenagers.  Aron and Matt took a look at his resume and pointed out some of their favorites.

Featurette: Behind the scenes of The Island, a futuristic thriller