Secret Headquarters movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Secret Headquarters

This fun family flick is now available exclusively on Netflix.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 44 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

While hanging out after school, Charlie and his friends discover the headquarters of the world’s most powerful superhero hidden beneath his home. When villains attack, they must team up to defend the headquarters and save the world.

The target audience is Tweens, so don’t expect this to be a massive blockbuster. Even still, I got a kick out of it and seem to like it more than most film critics.

The movie was directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

THINGS I LIKED:

The young actor who stars as the son is Walker Scobell. We first saw him in The Adam Project. I was super impressed with his performance in that cute Netflix movie too. He has a fantastic future in his acting career. I’m such a fan. One of his talents is he, apparently, can burp on demand.
The rest of the young cast includes Keith L. Williams, Momona Tamada, and Abby James Witherspoon.
Funnymen Owen Wilson and Michael Pena are classic crowd pleasers.
Pig Latin. Ha ha
If you like Escape Rooms, you’ll get a kick out how the kids find the Secret Headquarters.
Kids will get a kick out of all the cool gadgets, including a fanny pack. Ha ha
Fun fact: The futuristic motorcycle we see in the secret headquarters is a real one created by vehicle designer Hugo Eccles. It was manufactured by Untitled Motorcycles in California.
There’s some cute humor, although not all of the humor lands.
Keep watching during the rolling credits to learn what happens next.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I was hoping for more screen time by Owen Wilson.
There are a lot of cliches.
Tons of CGI.
The action sequences are pretty ridiculous, yet still entertaining for kids.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids cheat during a test.
Absentee father issues
Superhero violence
Courage
Being a hero
Various weapons are used
Explosions and destruction
Some blood
One of the kids says she’s saving the first kiss for marriage. Wow, we rarely hear that in movies nowadays.

THEMES:

Parenting
The importance of family
Trust
Power
Choices
Priority
Being a hero
Sharing

FUNNY LINES:

“Unidentifying Aerial Phenomenon.” – Irons (Jesse Williams) “UFO wasn’t working for you guys?” – Jack (Owen Wilson)
“This is so tight.” – Berger (Keith L. Williams) “This is beyond tight.” – Lizzie (Abby James Witherspoon) “This is the tightest.” – Maya (Momona Tamada)
“I’m more of a Luigi than a Mario.” – Jack (Owen Wilson)
“Yeah, you got the suit but you don’t got the swagger.” – Jack (Owen Wilson)
“Boys pick the weirdest times to be vulnerable.” – Maya (Momona Tamada)
“You remind me of a fart.” – Argon (Michael Pena)