Secret Headquartersis a 2022 Americansuperherocomedy filmdirected byHenry JoostandAriel Schulman,who co-wrote the movie withChristopher L. Yostand Josh Koenigsberg, based on a story by Yost.[1]StarringOwen Wilson,Walker Scobell,Jesse Williams,Keith L. Williams,Momona Tamada,Charles Melton,andMichael Peña,the plot follows a child (Scobell) and his friends (K. L. Williams, Tamada) who begins to suspect his father (Wilson) might be a superhero after discovering a secret headquarters in his basement.
| Secret Headquarters | |
|---|---|
 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Christopher L. Yost |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Larry Fong |
| Edited by | Gregory Plotkin |
| Music by | Lorne Balfe |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Paramount+ |
Release dates |
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Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film premiered at the Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia on August 8, 2022, and was released in the United States on August 12, 2022, onParamount+.The film received generally mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
editJack Kincaid is The Guard, a superhero chosen by an alien artifact to inherit its powers and save the world, but his hero duties cause him to neglect his parental duties to his son Charlie, driving a wedge between them. When Charlie stays at Jack's house for his birthday, he invites his friends Barry Berger, Lizzie, and Maya Monroe over, where they find Jack's underground lair and find out his secret identity. Meanwhile, weapons CEO Ansel Argon wants to use The Guard's power source for his sinister schemes.
After the kids use Jack's gadgets, Argon's head mercenary, Sean Irons, brings his team to track down the power source. The kids fight back against them, and Jack manages to arrive just in time, but when Berger sends the source through a portal connected to his locker at school, Argon uses one of Jack's gadgets to get his suit and kidnaps Berger to find the source. Charlie leads his friends, plus a reformed Irons, to get their gadgets to fight back. The showdown takes place during the school dance, ending with Charlie sending Argon through a portal to another dimension with a grenade. He ends up dancing with Maya and kissing her. Charlie ends up joining Jack so they can fight crime together, while Irons ends up becoming Jack's mission control.
Cast
edit- Owen Wilsonas Jack Kincaid/The Guard, a superhero.
- Walker Scobellas Charlie Kincaid
- Louie Chaplin Moss as Younger Charlie Kincaid
- Keith L. Williamsas Barry Berger
- Momona Tamadaas Maya Monroe
- Michael Peñaas Ansel Argon
- Jesse Williamsas Sean Irons
- Charles Meltonas Hawaii
- Abby James Witherspoon as Lizzie
- Kezii Curtis as "Big Mac" Berger
- Jessie Muelleras Lily Kincaid
- Lucius Bastonas Jerry the Janitor
- DK Metcalfas Coach Hammer
- Dustin Ingramas Jersey
- Levy Tranas Virginia
- Michael Anthony as Wisconsin
- Lav Luv as Umpire
- Dayna Beilenson as Ms. Squint
- David Lengel as Coach Skipper
Production
editSecret Headquarterswas announced in January 2021, when it was reported thatHenry JoostandAriel Schulmanwould direct the film forParamount Picturesand would also work on the current draft for the project with Josh Koenigsberg from an original idea byChristopher Yost.[2]In May,Owen Wilsonwas cast in an undisclosed role.[3]Principal photographybegan inAtlanta, Georgiaon May 25.[4][5]In June,Michael Peña,Walker Scobell, Momona Tamada,Keith L. Williams,Abby James Witherspoon, and Kezii Curtis were all announced as part of the cast.[6]In July,Jesse Williamsjoined the cast as the villain.[7]Lorne Balfecomposed the score.[8]
Release
editSecret Headquarterswas released onParamount+on August 12, 2022.[9]It was originally scheduled to be released in theaters on August 5, 2022 before moving to streaming on the same date.[10][11][12]The film's red carpet premiere took place at the Signature Theater inNew York Cityon August 8, 2022.[13]
Home media
editSecret Headquarterswas released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 20, 2022.[14]
Critical reception
editOn thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,45% of 38 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "There are far worse family viewing options, but given the talent assembled,Secret Headquartersis a disappointingly bland and muddled action movie. "[15]Metacriticassigned the film a weighted average score of 47 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[16]
References
edit- ^"Secret Headquarters".Writers Guild of America West.November 24, 2021.RetrievedDecember 23,2021.
- ^Kroll, Justin (January 28, 2021)."' Project Power's Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman To DirectSecret HeadquartersFor Paramount And Jerry Bruckheimer ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on May 5, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 28,2021.
- ^Kroll, Justin (May 6, 2021)."Owen Wilson To Star inSecret HeadquartersFor Paramount And Bruckheimer Films ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on May 6, 2021.RetrievedMay 6,2021.
- ^"Secret Headquarters- Production Listing ".Production List.April 26, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on April 27, 2021.RetrievedApril 27,2021.
- ^"Film and TV Projects Going Into Production –Secret Headquarters".Variety Insight.Archivedfrom the original on May 24, 2021.RetrievedMay 24,2021.
- ^Kroll, Justin (June 11, 2021)."Michael Peña Joins Owen Wilson InSecret HeadquartersFor Paramount And Bruckheimer ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on June 11, 2021.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 1, 2021)."Jesse Williams Joining Owen Wilson & Michael Peña In Paramount'sSecret Headquarters".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
- ^"Lorne Balfe Scoring Henry Joost's & Ariel Schulman'sSecret Headquarters".Film Music Reporter.March 10, 2022.RetrievedMarch 11,2022.
- ^Massoto, Erick (July 14, 2022)."'Secret Headquarters' Trailer Sees Owen Wilson Getting His Superhero On ".Collider.RetrievedJuly 14,2022.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 1, 2022)."Owen Wilson ComedySecret HeadquartersJumping From Theaters To Paramount+ ".Deadline.RetrievedJune 1,2022.
- ^Kay, Jeremy (January 21, 2022)."Mission: Impossible 7delayed again as Paramount, Skydance push next two instalments to 2023, 2024 ".Screen Daily.RetrievedJanuary 22,2022.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 2, 2021)."Owen Wilson MovieSecret HeadquartersTo Hit Theaters In Summer 2022 ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^"Cast Members of Superhero Comedy 'Secret Headquarters' Attend the Red-carpet Premiere of... - Latest Tweet by Reuters".LatestLY.August 10, 2022.RetrievedAugust 12,2022.
- ^"'Secret Headquarters,' 'Amsterdam' and 'Reacher' on disc ".Flamborough Review.December 12, 2022.RetrievedApril 27,2023.
- ^"Secret Headquarters".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedSeptember 4,2023.
- ^"Secret Headquarters Reviews".Metacritic.RetrievedJanuary 22,2023.
