Up, Up, and Away

Up, Up, and Away

Year: 2000

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

ComedyFantasyFamily

The only member of his family without a super‑power, a brave young boy must protect them from a sinister group of computerized brainwashers. As the world watches, he learns that courage, ingenuity and determination are enough to become a hero and stop the villains before it’s too late.

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Timeline & Setting – Up, Up, and Away (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Up, Up, and Away (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1990s to early 2000s

The events unfold in a contemporary era when CD-ROMs, early computer networks, and improvised superhero devices shape daily life. Family life is grounded in a suburban setting, with a public bank heist and a community aware of environmental activism. Technology plays a central role as both a tool for good and a means of manipulation.

Location

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:21

Main Characters – Up, Up, and Away (2000)

Meet the key characters of Up, Up, and Away (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Scott Marshall (Michael J. Pagan)

A teenage boy who feels pressure to reveal inherited superhero powers. Though lacking obvious abilities, he is determined, imaginative, and loyal to his family and friends. His journey centers on proving his worth, facing fear, and choosing courage over easy deceit.

🧩 Identity 🦸‍♂️ Aspiration 🧠 Dilemma

Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle (Robert Townsend)

The family patriarch who embodies responsibility and protective leadership. He struggles to shield his loved ones while guiding the next generation of heroes. His experience with old-school courage shapes the team's approach to danger.

🛡️ Family duty ⚡ Power legacy 🔍 Investigation

Adam Marshall / Silver Charger (Kasan Butcher)

Scott's older brother who wields electrical abilities and grapples with revealing his own powers. His actions often bridge the family's normal life with their superhero duties, though his focus may create strain within the group.

⚡ Family Power 🧭 Responsibility 🛠️ Risk

Edward Marshall / Steel Condor (Sherman Hemsley)

The grandfather figure who coaches the younger generation and embodies enduring wisdom. He manipulates memories to protect the family's secrets and provides critical insight at pivotal moments.

🗺️ Mentor 🛡️ Protector ⚡ Legacy

Nina (Olivia Burnette)

A brilliant programmer and activist associated with the Earth Protectors. She uses technology to educate others, but also becomes a target in the struggle against Malcolm's schemes. Her resourcefulness is key to uncovering the truth.

🧠 Activism 🔬 Tech-savvy 🌿 Environment

Malcolm (Kevin Connolly)

Antagonist strategist who exploits technology to manipulate and control others. He pursues power through cunning plots and seeks to destabilize the Marshalls' world for his own gain.

🧠 Manipulation 💣 Antagonist 🕵️ Schemer

Randy (Christopher Rodriguez Marquette)

Scott's loyal friend who joins the mission to rescue his family. He provides courage and humor under pressure, acting as a crucial ally in moments of danger.

🤝 Friend 🗣️ Confidant 🧩 Helper

Amy (Jamie Renée Smith)

A fearless ally who gets drawn into the high-stakes adventure, her actions inadvertently bring the conflict into sharper focus. She represents the risks and resilience of ordinary youth in extraordinary circumstances.

🌀 Risk 🫶 Friendship 🎭 Transformation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:21

Major Themes – Up, Up, and Away (2000)

Explore the central themes of Up, Up, and Away (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Family Legacy

The film centers on a superhero lineage passed through generations, forcing Scott to confront expectations tied to his family's identity. The pressure to live up to legendary powers drives him to fake abilities, reflecting the weight of legacy on individual growth. The narrative explores how inherited roles shape self-worth and responsibility within a close-knit clan.

⚖️ Power and Responsibility

Scott's lack of powers and his parents' heroic history create a tension between personal authenticity and public perception. The family must balance using their powers for good with protecting their own secrets from those who would exploit them. The story considers what true heroism means when one is not born with obvious gifts.

🧠 Mind Control

An antagonist uses a CD-ROM program to manipulate minds, highlighting the ethical dangers of technology as a means to wrongdoing. Nina's activist ambitions clash with Malcolm's coercive tactics, illustrating how information can be weaponized. The plot questions consent, manipulation, and the moral costs of influencing others.

🌱 Environmental Activism

Earth Protectors appear as a movement that aims to educate and mobilize youth on environmental issues via digital media. The summary frames their campaign as a driving force in the conflict, showing how zeal for a cause can become dangerous when exploited. The narrative links ecological awareness with a fight for personal and communal safety.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:21

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Movies about unpowered heroes like Up, Up, and Away

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist who feels inadequate compared to their powered peers or in a world of magic/technology. A crisis emerges where conventional power fails, forcing the hero to rely on their unique human qualities—ingenuity, empathy, or sheer will—to overcome the threat and earn their place.

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Narrative Summary

A seemingly benign or misunderstood technology becomes a real danger, often brainwashing or controlling people. The story revolves around a family—sometimes with unique abilities—working together to understand and defeat this threat. The plot is straightforward, focusing on teamwork, rescuing loved ones, and restoring normalcy with minimal lasting trauma.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique blend of genre (sci-fi/fantasy), audience (family), and tone (hopeful). They maintain medium intensity with tense moments but avoid dark themes, resulting in an adventurous yet safe viewing experience centered on unity and ingenuity overcoming a technological obstacle.

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Up, Up, and Away Summary

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Up, Up, and Away Summary

Up, Up, and Away Timeline

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Up, Up, and Away Timeline

Up, Up, and Away Spoiler-Free Summary

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Up, Up, and Away Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Up, Up, and Away

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