Are you tired of the grim and gritty superhero stories dominating the big screen? Yearning for something lighter, funnier, and genuinely family-friendly? Then prepare to rediscover a forgotten gem: Disney's Up, Up, and Away! This 25-year-old Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) is a superhero flick that dares to be…well, fun.
Forget the brooding billionaires and world-ending stakes. Up, Up, and Away! offers a refreshing dose of humor, heart, and a whole lot of aluminum foil-induced superhero weakness. But here's where it gets controversial... Is this movie just a silly kids' flick, or does it hold a deeper message about family and acceptance that resonates even today?
For parents seeking to introduce their kids to the world of superheroes, the current landscape can be tricky. The genre, in recent years, has leaned heavily into darker, more serious narratives. While exceptions exist, like the upcoming James Gunn's Superman or the beloved Sky High from 2005, many modern superhero movies might be too intense for younger viewers. But how many have shown their children the overlooked classic that is Up, Up, and Away!?
Directed by Robert Townsend (known for The Meteor Man, a superhero film criminally ignored in the 90s), Up, Up, and Away!, which premiered on the Disney Channel in January 2000, is a unique blend of coming-of-age story and superhero adventure. It seamlessly weaves these two themes together, creating a delightful experience. If more of today's young audiences knew about it, it could easily stand alongside Marvel Comics adaptations as one of the best superhero titles on Disney+.
A Superhero Movie Disguised as a Sitcom
The story centers on Scott Marshall (Michael J. Pagan), a teenager living in a world where superheroes are commonplace – and his entire family is made up of the most celebrated heroes around. His father, Jim (Robert Townsend), is the Bronze Eagle, soaring through the skies. His mother, Judy (Alex Datcher), is the super-strong Warrior Woman. His older brother, Adam (Kasan Butcher), is the lightning-fast Silver Charger, wielding electricity. Even his younger sister, Molly (Arreale Davis), can unleash heat vision, despite not being old enough to officially join the family business. And this is the part most people miss... Scott is the only one without any powers. Talk about teenage angst!
However, when a nefarious organization disguised as environmental activists, called Earth Protectors, starts using mind control technology for their own sinister purposes, Scott becomes the unlikely hero who can save the day. The movie cleverly establishes the Marshall family's dynamic as a classic sitcom setup, initially presenting them as an ordinary family with a few quirky secrets.
It takes about 15 minutes for the superhero plot to fully kick in, with Jim having to ditch Scott's soccer game to stop a bank robbery. Yet, even amidst the superhero action, the characters remain grounded as a typical family, with relatable rules like Adam needing to finish his homework before fighting crime. It's a clever touch that adds to the film's charm.
Laugh-Out-Loud Superhero Spoofs
The humor in Up, Up, and Away! goes beyond sitcom-style antics. It frequently ventures into full-blown parody, fearlessly poking fun at the genre's more absurd tropes, like the superheroes' over-the-top costume designs. The costumes alone are worth a watch!
But the film's most memorable parody moment comes with the revelation of the Marshall family's specific weakness: aluminum foil. Yes, you read that right. Not kryptonite, but aluminum foil. This is subtly foreshadowed in an early scene when the family reacts suspiciously to Scott's friend, Randy (Christopher Rodriguez Marquette), bringing them zucchini bread wrapped in it. Now, this is where it gets controversial...
This detail raises so many questions. Are they weakened by the element aluminum itself, or only when it's in foil form? If it's just the foil, why? Are all superheroes in this universe vulnerable to aluminum foil, or just the Marshalls? Despite these logical gaps, the aluminum foil weakness works perfectly within the film's campy tone, which Townsend smartly plays straight, reminiscent of the 1960s Batman TV series.
Superhero Cameos and Comic Book Nods
In some of the film's funniest moments, the parody directly targets familiar faces from the Marvel and DC universes. Instead of creating its own separate world of heroes, Up, Up, and Away! exists in a world where its original characters coexist with well-known comic book icons.
For instance, Scott's grandmother, Doris (Joan Pringle), casually mentions having "Spider-Man and Mary-Jane" over for dinner, before asking Judy for tips on removing webs from her carpet. Later, Scott's grandfather, Edward (Sherman Hemsley, from The Jeffersons), also known as the Steel Condor, complains about his jealousy over "Clark 'Curl in the Middle of His Forehead' Kent" being called the "Man of Steel," fearing it makes him sound like the "Bird of Steel." Imagine the Thanksgiving dinner conversations!
While neither Spider-Man nor Superman makes a physical appearance, Up, Up, and Away! comes close to featuring Mr. Fantastic from The Fantastic Four, with a character named "Reach" who has elasticity powers and wears a blue jumpsuit. It's a fun Easter egg for comic book fans.
A Heartfelt Message Beneath the Action
Like Townsend's The Meteor Man, Up, Up, and Away! offers more than just sci-fi action and comedy. While The Meteor Man tackled themes of community and resisting violence, the DCOM explores a message that many young viewers can relate to: accepting oneself and not feeling pressured to live up to family expectations.
Scott's desire for superpowers stems from wanting to impress his parents. This leads him to fake having super strength and flight, which inevitably gets him into trouble. Ultimately, he realizes that his family loves him for who he is, powers or no powers. It's a powerful message about self-acceptance and the importance of individual identity.
By having the ordinary Scott be the one to save his family and the world, Up, Up, and Away! emphasizes that superpowers aren't necessary to be a hero. The film could have amplified this message by including a cameo of a vigilante who uses intellect and combat skills, like Batman. After all, if the Steel Condor knows Clark Kent personally, it's possible he has met Bruce Wayne, too.
Robert Townsend, now known for directing episodes of shows like Netflix's Kaleidoscope and ABC's The Wonder Years reboot, created a gem with Up, Up, and Away! Despite launching his career with the acclaimed Hollywood Shuffle in 1987, Townsend should be proud to have directed and starred in one of the best Disney Channel Original Movies from the 2000s.
So, what do you think? Is Up, Up, and Away! a genuinely good superhero movie, or just a nostalgic trip down memory lane? Does its message about self-acceptance still resonate today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
