Sky High

As the curtain opens, Will Stronghold's voiceover sets the stage for a world where superheroes are the norm. His parents, Commander Steve Stronghold (Kurt Russell) and Jetstream Josie Stronghold (Kelly Preston), are not only revered for their extraordinary abilities but also run a thriving real estate empire. As Will prepares to start high school at Sky High, an institution exclusively for super-powered individuals, he can't help but feel like the odd one out - his lack of powers making him the only student without a superhuman trait. His parents' plans are interrupted by the arrival of his friend Layla, who politely declines their offer of breakfast due to her vegan lifestyle, which is influenced by her mother's extraordinary ability to communicate with animals.

As Commander and Jetstream prepare for another day, they receive a distress call that requires their immediate attention. With a final pep talk from Steve, Will watches as his parents suit up and jet off to save the city from a rampaging robot. The crowd goes wild as Jetstream drops Commander onto the machine, smashing it into submission. The commander then rips out the robot's eye as a trophy, much to the delight of the onlookers.

Back at Sky High, Will and Layla arrive at their bus stop, where they're met with snickers from Ron Wilson (Kevin Heffernan), the bus driver, who takes pleasure in teasing the freshman about his lack of powers. However, when Ron learns that Will is the son of Commander and Jetstream, he quickly changes his tune. As Will makes friends with Zach (Nicholas Braun), a student who's recently gained his superhuman abilities, Layla connects with fellow students Ethan (Dee Jay Daniels) and Magenta (Kelly Vitz).

As Ron Wilson navigates the bus through a construction zone, he makes an unexpected detour by driving it off a bridge. With a calm demeanor, he activates the wings and rocket engines, effortlessly soaring the vehicle to its new destination - Sky High. This unconventional school is sustained by anti-gravity propulsion and perpetually in motion to evade detection.

Upon arrival, Ron briefs the freshmen about their unique institution, where students with extraordinary abilities converge. The group soon encounters two formidable bullies, Lash (Jake Sandvig) and Speed (Will Harris), who attempt to extract money from their peers. However, their nefarious plan is foiled by Gwen Grayson (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), the charismatic student body president. Her words of wisdom about Sky High fall on deaf ears for Will, whose attention is captivated by her charm.

As the freshmen enter the gym, a radiant silver comet streaks across the room, landing at the podium and spinning around to reveal Principal Powers (Lynda Carter). She welcomes the students to their new environment with a warm message. The atmosphere shifts as Coach Boomer (Bruce Campbell) bursts into the gym, ready to begin Power Placement. One by one, the students demonstrate their extraordinary abilities, and Boom assigns them to either Hero or Sidekick classes.

Zach's glowing powers spark initial excitement, but Coach Boomer is unimpressed, relegating him to the Sidekick class with a swift supersonic boom. The remaining freshmen undergo placement at a steady pace. Ethan (whose power allows him to melt into a puddle) and Magenta (who can transform into a guinea pig) are both assigned to the Sidekick category. Layla's reluctance to participate results in her being designated as a Sidekick by default. The bell rings, signaling a break for lunch, with Coach Boomer reserving his attention for Will when they reconvene.

During lunch, Will becomes aware of an enigmatic figure in leather, seemingly fixated on them. Magenta recognizes the stranger as Warren Peace (Steven Strait), the offspring of a superhero mother and a supervillain father. This revelation weighs heavily on Will, who has just discovered that his arch-nemesis is none other than Warren's father, imprisoned by Will's own father for quadruple life sentences. As if navigating the complexities of Sky High weren't enough, Will must now confront the personal demons and potential conflicts arising from this unexpected encounter.

As Coach Boomer puts Will's abilities to the test, literally dropping a car on him and flinging him across the room, Will is forced to confess the truth: he has no superpowers. The coach's harsh declaration of Will as a "Sidekick" is so forceful that it shatters a dozen windows, a testament to Boomer's unyielding dedication to the art of superhero training.

The school nurse (Cloris Leachman), tasked with uncovering the mystery behind Will's lack of powers, can't provide a satisfactory explanation. She suggests that Will may yet develop one or both of his parents' abilities, but there are rare cases where children of superheroes never exhibit superhuman traits. It's an ominous reminder that even in a world filled with caped crusaders, there is always the possibility for exceptions.

Will returns home to face his father, who has been waiting anxiously to discuss Will's powers. Steve brings Will into the Secret Sanctum, where the walls are adorned with trophies from The Commander's battles, including the Robot Eye that played a pivotal role in their morning adventure. As Steve reveals that he has placed Will's name on an empty pedestal, hoping that his son will one day become a great hero, Will is torn between his desire to please his father and his fear of revealing his true nature as a Sidekick.

Meanwhile, the Sanctum is being covertly watched by two enigmatic entities, their presence masked by the glow of the Robot Eye. Their intentions are unclear, but it's evident that they're monitoring the Commander's inner circle with great interest.

Layla pays Will a visit, using her powers to manipulate plant growth as she tries to persuade him to be honest with his father about his lack of abilities. However, Will remains resolute in his decision to keep his true nature hidden.

The next day, Hero Support class commences, and Will meets his new teacher, All-American Boy (Dave Foley), a veteran superhero with a wealth of experience working alongside the Commander. Mr. Boy's revelation that he once worked with the Commander only serves to deepen Will's embarrassment at his own lack of powers.

Just as the class is getting underway, a sudden power outage plunges the building into darkness. Zach seizes the opportunity to showcase his glowing abilities, while Professor Medula (Kevin McDonald), the science teacher with an oversized cranium, arrives on the scene to explain that the blackout was caused by a minor "misfire" in the Mad Science Lab. As the lights flicker back to life, Will can't help but feel like he's stuck in a world where being ordinary is anything but ordinary.

As the week progresses, Will and his friends receive cryptic instructions from Mr. Boy and Mr. Medula, while Ethan becomes a constant target of bullying at the hands of Speed and Lash. The relentless taunting takes a toll on Ethan, who is frequently subjected to humiliating "swirlies." Meanwhile, Will's secret life as a Sidekick comes crashing down when The Commander returns home unexpectedly. Unable to conceal the truth any longer, Will confesses his true identity and his lack of powers, leaving The Commander at a loss for words.

Later that day, Steve and Josie engage in a candid conversation about their son's predicament. While Josie is disheartened by Will's circumstances, Steve remains resolute, suggesting that Will could build a legitimate career in real estate rather than pursuing heroics. His love for his son remains unwavering, despite the setbacks.

The following day, tensions come to a head at lunchtime in the Sky High cafeteria when Lash uses his stretch powers to trip Will, causing his lunch tray to land on Warren Peace, who is incensed by the sudden interruption. Warren's anger boils over as he reveals his pyrokinetic abilities and unleashes flames that threaten Will and their fellow Sidekicks. Panic sets in as Will cowers under the table, powerless against Warren's onslaught.

However, just as all hope seems lost, Will suddenly discovers an unexpected superpower - superhuman strength! He uses this newfound ability to lift the entire lunch table, sending Warren crashing into the teacher's lounge. Undeterred, Warren regains his footing and launches another attack, only to be thwarted once more by Will's incredible strength.

As the commotion dies down, Principal Powers intervenes, dispatching Will and Warren to a detention room where their super-abilities are neutralized. Despite the efforts of Will to resolve the situation peacefully, Warren remains determined to continue fighting. That night, Will returns home ecstatic about his newfound powers, while Josie's demeanor is more somber, given the destruction that has occurred in the cafeteria.

The next day, Steve takes Will on a visit to the Sactum for a heart-to-heart discussion. However, upon arrival, he is overjoyed by Will's development of super-strength and presents his son with an X-Box as a reward. As they share a warm hug, the mysterious figures watching from the Robot Eye remain shrouded in secrecy.

As Will (Will) returns to his ordinary high school routine, he's met with an unexpected surge of admiration from his peers, who are thrilled by his bold display of courage. Mr. Boy announces a significant upgrade in Will's classification, elevating him to the esteemed Hero class. Upon arriving at science class, led by the enigmatic Mr. Medula, Will finds himself partnered with Gwen Grayson, a brilliant technopath capable of controlling various forms of technology. As he struggles to keep up with the demands of his new class, Gwen uses her extraordinary abilities to guide him through the complexities.

During lunch, Will meets with Gwen to discuss his newfound responsibilities as a Hero and receives valuable insights into the expectations that come with this prestigious designation. He also has the opportunity to meet Penny (Malika Khadijah), a fascinating individual blessed with the power of duplication, who is part of Gwen's social circle. Unfortunately, the other Heroes in their group dismiss the sidekicks, labeling them as failures. Feeling sympathetic towards Layla's plight, Will offers to take her out for dinner at the Paper Lantern (her favorite Chinese restaurant) that evening, an invitation she gladly accepts.

As tensions rise in the school corridors, Will witnesses Speed and Lash physically intimidating Ethan and Zach, prompting a bold bet: if Will can surpass their prowess in Gym Class, they will refrain from tormenting the sidekicks for the remainder of the year. However, failure on Will's part would result in Ethan's head being stuck in a toilet every day.

In Gym Class, Coach Boomer presents the challenging exercise "Save the Citizen," where two students must collectively overpower two formidable "Villains" and rescue an endangered individual (actually just a dummy) before it falls into a treacherous spiked pit. Speed and Lash, the reigning champions, take on Will and Warren as their adversaries. Initially, the pair struggles to work together, with Will managing to restrain Lash but Warren becoming trapped by Speed's dizzying circular dash. As Warren collapses under the strain, his fire-based abilities severely impaired by the lack of oxygen, he urges Will to abandon him and focus on rescuing the citizen. However, Will ignores this advice and instead targets Speed, ultimately defeating them.

With mere seconds remaining, Will seizes the opportunity to launch a "fastball special," expertly tossing Warren over the spike pit, ensuring the safe rescue of the citizen.

As Will's proud father, The Commander (actor name), beams with pride over his son's unprecedented achievement as a freshman winner of "Save the Citizen," a chance encounter unfolds at Will's doorstep. Gwen, an unexpected visitor, arrives to assist Will with his science homework and effortlessly charms his parents with her warm demeanor. A nostalgic flip through Steve & Josie's (actor name) old yearbook from Sky High reveals a photograph of Sue Tenny, whose striking resemblance to Gwen sparks curiosity. In a bold move, Gwen invites The Commander and Jetstream to serve as esteemed guests at the upcoming Homecoming ceremony, where they will receive the coveted "Heroes of the Year" award.

Meanwhile, Layla (actor name) sits patiently at the Paper Lantern, awaiting Will's arrival. Warren, a restaurant employee with an uncanny ability to read people, hypothesizes that Layla secretly pines for Will. Her confirmation only fuels her trepidation about Will's growing affection for Gwen. As fate would have it, Will accompanies Gwen home and is overjoyed by the prospect of attending Homecoming as her date, culminating in a celebratory lamp-post knockdown.

The next day, Will apologizes to Layla for missing their dinner plans at Paper Lantern. Layla's spirits lift momentarily until Will reveals his plans to attend Homecoming with Gwen, leaving her devastated. Warren, initially hesitant, agrees to take Layla to the dance as a deliberate affront to Will, fueling his own curiosity about their complicated relationship.

As the week progresses, Will and Gwen meet with the Homecoming committee to discuss the festivities. The entire Hero class converges at Will's residence for an impromptu party. Gwen requests a private setting to converse with Will, leading him to the Sanctum, the one quiet oasis in his house. As they share a tender moment, an unseen figure sneaks into the room and makes off with the coveted Pacifier weapon.

Layla's arrival at the party sparks tension as Gwen dishonestly informs her that Will is repelled by her romantic feelings for him. Layla, heartbroken, exits the gathering. Will, witnessing his friend's distress, confronts Gwen and publicly terminates their relationship. The atmosphere grows tense as he orders everyone to depart. However, just as the room empties, The Commander and Jetstream return home, prompting a hasty exit from the partygoers.

As the dust settles, Will confesses that he didn't plan the party and has no intention of attending Homecoming with his parents. Steve's words of encouragement urge Will to join the dance, promising an unforgettable introduction to "The Stronghold Three," the world-renowned superhero family.

As Will's resolve begins to crumble, he pays a visit to the Paper Lantern, hoping to clear the air with Layla. However, Warren beats him to it, revealing that his friend's motives for accompanying Layla are far from altruistic - a thinly veiled attempt to stir up some good old-fashioned jealousy. The weight of this revelation leaves Will doubting whether he'll ever regain the trust of his former friends, including the enigmatic Layla.

That night, Commander and Jetstream depart for the Homecoming dance, leaving Will to ponder his father's legacy in the sanctum. As he delves into the old yearbook, a mysterious figure from the past emerges - a young woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Gwen. The device she holds is none other than the Pacifier, and its disappearance sparks a flurry of activity. With the situation spiraling out of control, Will turns to Ron Wilson for emergency transportation to Sky High.

Meanwhile, at the Homecoming dance, Gwen's true identity is revealed - she is, in fact, Royal Pain, the notorious supervillain. As Commander succumbs to the Pacifier's mind-altering effects, becoming an infant once more, Royal Pain sets her sights on the remaining heroes. With Speed, Lash, and Penny sealing off all exits, Warren, Layla, and the Sidekicks make a break for freedom via an air vent. Zach's superhuman senses guide them through the maze-like ductwork until they finally reunite with Will.

As the dust settles, it becomes clear that Gwen is none other than the daughter of Royal Pain - a revelation that prompts Will to issue a heartfelt apology to his friends for his recent behavior. Layla, moved by Will's sincerity, bestows upon him a tender kiss, serving as a symbol of forgiveness. Warren, ever the pragmatist, tasks Will with confronting Gwen while he and the others deal with the henchmen.

Ethan, however, has other plans - he makes a break for freedom, inadvertently trapping Lash's head in a toilet bowl in the process. Warren engages Speed in a fierce battle, but his quickness proves too much for him to handle. Speed's momentary lapse in attention allows Ethan to melt away, leaving behind a puddle that ensnares Speed and sends him tumbling into a wall.

As Will confronts Gwen, he is met with the disturbing realization that she intends to use her newfound powers to create an academy of super-villains, re-raising the infant heroes from scratch. The truth finally dawns on Will - his long-held infatuation has been centered around Sue Tenny, a woman who has been masquerading as Gwen. The original Pacifier, in a cruel twist of fate, had backfired on her, forcing her to wait for her second chance at revenge. Will's disgust is palpable as he comes to terms with the fact that his love was rooted in deception.

As chaos erupts in the gym, Royal Pain unleashes a brutal attack on Will, sending him crashing through the wall with reckless abandon. Meanwhile, Penny is still locked in an intense battle with Layla, her determination to emerge victorious driving her to summon a massive, vine-like growth that ensnares Penny and all her duplicates. In a stunning revelation, Penny reveals that Royal Pain has been tampering with Sky High's anti-gravity device, and if they don't act quickly, the entire school will come crashing down in just 10 minutes.

Zach, Ethan, Layla, and Magenta gather around a set of blueprints, their eyes scanning the intricate diagrams as they search for a solution. Their attention is drawn to a small opening that leads to the anti-gravity room – an entrance that none of them can fit through except for Magenta in her guinea-pig form.

As Will and Royal Pain continue their brutal fight, Royal Pain lands a devastating punch that sends Will flying out of a window and plummeting towards the ground below. But in a stunning display of agility, Will returns to the same spot mere seconds later, revealing his astonishing second power: the ability to defy gravity and take to the skies.

Royal Pain is busy loading a bus with the infant heroes when Ron Wilson happens upon the scene and quickly shuts down the vehicle, preventing their escape. Magenta, meanwhile, has reached the anti-gravity device just as it's shutting down, and she begins to gnaw through a crucial wire. Will takes to the skies, determined to stop Sky High from crashing into the nearby residential neighborhood.

As the school narrowly avoids disaster, Will and his friends are left wondering what their next move should be. Mr. Medula, still possessing his remarkable intelligence despite being an infant, decides to re-program the Pacifier in order to regain control of the situation. As the heroes slowly return to normal, Will apologizes for allowing Gwen into the Sanctum, and The Commander and Jetstream decide that the "Hero of the Year" award should rightfully go to Will and his friends (including Ron Wilson) for their bravery in stopping Royal Pain.

As everyone returns to their normal form, they resume the Homecoming dance, the night filled with music, laughter, and celebration. In a final flourish, Will delivers a voiceover during the end credits, reflecting on the surreal events that have transpired: "My girlfriend became my archenemy, my archenemy became my best friend, and my best friend became my girlfriend. But hey – that's high school!"