Up, Up, and Away – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Up, Up, and Away

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2000

42%

WISE Score

A powerless kid in a superhero family learns he's special too—sweet message, but this 2000 DCOM is pretty rough to actually watch.

Up, Up, and Away

movie

G, 2000

42%

WISE Score

A powerless kid in a superhero family learns he's special too—sweet message, but this 2000 DCOM is pretty rough to actually watch.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is one of those early Disney Channel Original Movies that seemed fine in 2000 but hasn't aged well at all. The message about a 'normal' kid finding his place in a superhero family is genuinely sweet, and it's completely safe for elementary schoolers.

But here's the reality: with a 5.5/10 on IMDb and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd, this is borderline unwatchable by modern standards. The effects are cheap, the acting is wooden, and the story is predictable even for seven-year-olds. The Incredibles came out four years later and basically made this movie obsolete.

If your 6-year-old is desperate for superhero content and you've exhausted everything else, sure, throw it on. But don't be surprised when they ask to watch something else halfway through. There are just so many better options available on the same Disney+ platform where this lives.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-9 who are into superheroes and haven't been spoiled by Marvel's budget yet. Older kids will find it painfully dated, and even younger ones might struggle with the slow pacing and low production quality compared to what they're used to on Disney+.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic family-friendly premise about a kid finding his worth without superpowers, modeling perseverance and self-acceptance. The tone is earnest and positive, focusing on family unity and heroism through character rather than powers. However, as a 2000 Disney Channel Original Movie, the production values and pacing feel dated and somewhat cheesy by modern standards.

Imaginative

The concept of a superhero family with one 'normal' kid has potential, but this is a made-for-TV movie from 2000 with limited budget and scope. The 'computerized brainwashers' villain feels generic, and the execution likely lacks the visual creativity or world-building that would truly spark imagination. It's more formulaic than inventive, especially compared to what came later (The Incredibles did this concept far better in 2004).

Safe

This is a Disney Channel Original Movie aimed squarely at kids, with Common Sense Media rating it for age 7. No concerning content flags, no unexpected violence or mature themes. The 'brainwashing' villain concept is handled in a kid-friendly way. Standard superhero action without gore or scary elements beyond what's typical for the genre.

Enriching

The core message about finding your own worth and being a hero without superpowers is solid and age-appropriate. It touches on themes of family acceptance, self-esteem, and inner strength. However, the 5.5 IMDb and 2.8 Letterboxd ratings suggest the execution is middling at best—the lessons are there but delivered in a predictable, heavy-handed way that doesn't offer much depth or lasting impact. Entertainment value appears low based on audience scores.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Positive message about finding worth beyond external abilities—your kid doesn't need superpowers to be a hero
Family-centered story that emphasizes working together and accepting each other's differences
Safe, predictable Disney Channel fare that won't surprise you with inappropriate content
Might work for younger elementary kids who aren't yet jaded by better superhero movies

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a 25-year-old made-for-TV movie with production values that show it—think cheesy effects and stilted acting
The 5.5/10 IMDb rating isn't a typo; most viewers find this pretty forgettable and hard to sit through
Your kids have probably seen The Incredibles, which does this exact concept infinitely better
Might feel preachy and predictable even for the target age group

Conversation Starters

"If you could have any superpower, what would it be? What could you do to help people without powers?"
"The kid in the movie felt left out because he was different from his family. Have you ever felt that way?"
"What makes someone a hero—their abilities or their choices?"
"If our family had superpowers, what do you think each person's power would be?"

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