Zoom: Academy for Superheroes

Spy Kids meets X-Men in Peter Hewitt's kiddie flick based on a comic book, which stars Tim Allen as erstwhile superhero Captain Zoom. Called out of retirement, the cynical Jack Shepard (Allen), who in an earlier successful but costly battle against the villainous Concussion lost his powers, is enlisted to train four kids with superpowers (in the areas of size, strength, invisibility, and telekinesis) in preparation for the imminent return of Concussion from another dimension. Unsurprisingly, Jack eventually warms up to his charges (as they hone their abilities and learn to work as a team), while also developing a romance with an accident-prone scientist (Courteney Cox) on the private academy's staff. Unfortunately, the film is saddled with lame humor (with the obligatory quota of flatulence jokes and messy gags) sprinkled throughout a script that is sappy and saccharine. Boasting effects that would barely pass muster on Saturday-morning television, Zoom never even takes off, let alone soars. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the 15-minute “Bringing Superheroes to Life” making-of featurette, nine minutes of facetious “Academy for Superheroes: Guide for Kids” PSAs, and trailers. Bottom line: an unexceptional extras package for an unexceptional family flick.] (F. Swietek)