There’s no lack of superhero films to choose from today, which makes Secret Headquarters a hard sell. Clearly aimed at kids but seeming out of touch with them, the film explores what happens when Charlie (Walker Scobell) finds his dad’s secret lair and discovers that Jack (Owen Wilson) is actually the superhero, The Guard.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
It’s good that Scobell has an upcoming project that’s likely to be a success because Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman’s Secret Headquarters certainly isn’t. This superhero film for children is uninspired to the point of being boring, making viewers long for older films like Spy Kids and Shark Boy and Lava Girl whose popularity this film is clearly trying to recapture. Written by Schulman, Christopher L. Yost, and Josh Koenigsberg, the script clearly could have used a few more drafts.
When billionaire villain Ansel Argon arrives at the secret headquarters, he tries to convince the kids that he’s working on behalf of the greater good. However, they figure out the truth and almost succeed in fighting off Argon, Iron, and his mercenaries, but finally are captured. Charlie agrees to trade the Source, the alien power source, in exchange for his friends’ lives, but it’s actually a duplicate.
The real source has been transferred via the portal to Berger’s school locker. Jack arrives in time to help fight off Argon, now outfitted in a superpower suit. However, Argon forces Berger to go with him to the school to retrieve the real power source, with Jack and the other kids following behind. Jack and Charlie have a heart-to-heart and come to terms with the mistakes that each has made, vowing to act better towards each other in the future.
Jack and Argon fight at the school, while Irons (now realizing that Jack is more dedicated to doing good than Argon is) helps the kids get the Source. All hope seems lost as Argon first threatens to kill Charlie and then acquires the source. However, Charlie uses a grenade, which sends Argon to a different dimension because of his proximity to the Source. (This all sounds a bit convoluted because it is.)
Then, the school dance continues, and Charlie, Maya, Jack, and his wife dance together. The film ends with Charlie and Jack finally going on their camping trick and Jack being open about his superhero work, now with Irons as part of his team. The end sets up a potential sequel though whether one will happen is unknown.
