Secret Headquarters (2022)

Secret Headquarters is the kind of breezy, kid-powered superhero romp that remembers movies can be fun first and mythic second, with a hidden-lair premise that taps straight into every after-school daydream. Directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost keep the pace snappy and the tone light, letting slick, colorful effects and clever gadgetry do the heavy lifting while Owen Wilson brings an easy charm that softens the story’s family edges without turning it syrupy. The movie’s best trick is how it balances adventure and comedy: it’s energetic, approachable, and genuinely engaging in that “Saturday afternoon crowd-pleaser” way, with Michael Peña adding welcome spark on the villain side. It’s not for viewers hunting a deep, lore-heavy superhero saga, and some of the PG jokes may feel a little corny, but if you want a spirited family-friendly ride with laughs, action, and a sense of wonder, this one delivers.

Secret Headquarters is clearly aiming for a kid-friendly, gadget-packed superhero romp with a bit of family reconciliation tucked underneath, and on paper that’s a perfectly workable Saturday-afternoon pitch. The problem is the execution: the story feels generic and oddly muddled, with choppy pacing, thin character beats, and action that rarely builds to anything memorable. The humor leans on dated, “trying too hard” banter, so if you’re older than the target audience you may find yourself checking the time. Still, Owen Wilson’s easygoing charm and the fun idea of kids poking around a high-tech lair can entertain younger viewers, but if you want sharp writing, real emotional payoff, or standout superhero thrills, this probably isn’t it.