Home by myself one afternoon and bored, I put Zoom in the dvd player for some background noise and the occasional viewing while I read a book. I thought this movie would be easy to follow without a lot of effort. It was easy to follow...but, I had to put my book down and give it my full attention because I was liking what I saw.

Zoom: Academy for Superheroes
Jack Shepard, the former superhero Captain Zoom, has lost his powers and become a disgruntled middle aged mechanic. Too bad his evil brother Connor, aka Concussion, is planning to come back to Earth and destroy it.

The former Zenith Project teammates were subjected to Gamma rays by the military personnel that headed the project. This resulted in superhero Concussion going bad and killing all of the Zenith members, except Captain Zoom. A new team is needed to fend off his coming attack.

This new team consists of children who have thought they were weird and different than their classmates. They are, but in a good way...they are superheroes in the making.

17 year old Dylan, 16 year old Summer, 12 year old Tucker and 6 year old Cindy are chosen to save the world with their combined, unique talents. Caring for the children while they are sequestered at the military base that heads the new Zenith Project is Marsha Holloway. All that's needed is someone to teach them how to control and enhance their superpowers. Who better than Captain Zoom? Even if they have to kidnap him to get him to help.

A reluctant instructor who would rather be left alone, an intelligent, but project clueless mother hen and 4 "weird" children are going to save the world...or are they?

How Can I Read My Book if I Keep Laughing at the Movie?
I loved this show...the big name characters had me laughing and the children had me rooting for them. I was totally enjoying the show and the interactions of all the stars, until the end. Zoom would have received 5 stars from me if they hadn't ended it like they did. All is well that ends well is fine...if it's not wrapped up in a couple minutes as if they got tired of filming and just wanted the show to end. At only 83 minutes long, I feel they could have written a longer, better ending that would have been as impressive as the rest of the movie.

Rated PG Zoom: Academy for Superheroes is a movie the entire family can enjoy.

Tim Allen as Jack Sheppard/Captain Zoom was perfect. His sarcastic humor and lack of respect for the people heading the new Zenith Project kept me chuckling.

Courtney Cox playing Marsha Holloway surprised me. I knew she did comedy well...just her brand of physical comedy in Zoom brought back memories of Lucille Ball. Before you blast me for that...I thought it was reminiscent of Lucille Ball...not as good as.

Chevy Chase played Dr. Grant. His wide eyed attempts to garner approval from General Larraby and Captain Zoom and a scene where the kids "blast" him was cute, but not some of his best comedy.

Rip Torn is General Larraby. He played the part as I would think of a high ranking officer. Damn the consequences to the people of the Zenith Project...mankind is at stake.

Kevin Zegers (Conner Sheppard/Concussion)...all I can say is...Please ask for better lines and action in your next film.

New Zenith Team
Michael Cassidy as Dylan West/Houdini did good, not great, at playing the "rebel" who questioned why they were there and accepting a degree of responsibility, as the oldest, in helping the others.

Kate Mara playing Summer Jones/Wonder was another good job...not great. While some others didn't care for the Summer/Dylan relationship...I felt it let us see a more vulnerable Summer and good acting from Kate.

Spencer Breslin had my favorite super power as Tucker Willams/Mega Boy. He was fun to watch.

Ryan Newman as Cindy Collins/Princess was adorable. It always amazes me when a child (her real age is 7) can win me over with acting more than cuteness. While Tim Allen was my favorite of this movie...Ryan gave him a run for his money.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD