Name: Secret Headquarters
Genre: Action, Comedy, Science Fiction, Family
Released: 2022-08-12T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Owen Wilson, Michael Peña, Walker Scobell, Momona Tamada, Keith L. Williams

The neon glow of a hidden lair spills across the faces of teenagers who’ve just discovered their friend’s basement houses something extraordinary. This should be the electrifying spark that ignites Secret Headquarters, but director Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman’s 2022 film never fully capitalizes on its own premise. Instead, it settles for a safe, sanitized superhero adventure that plays it too cautious to thrill or surprise.

What it is: A family-friendly action-comedy about 14-year-old Charlie Kincaid (Walker Scobell), who learns his estranged father Jack (Owen Wilson) is the masked vigilante “The Guard.” When corporate villain Ansel Argon (Michael Peña) threatens global security, Charlie and his friends must step up to protect The Guard’s hidden headquarters—and maybe even mend their fractured family. Premiering directly on Paramount+, Secret Headquarters targets young audiences with lighthearted action and a message about father-son bonds.

The film’s emotional core is its strongest asset. Charlie’s resentment toward his absent father is palpable, and Wilson brings understated warmth to Jack Kincaid, a man torn between his superhero duties and his role as a parent. Their strained relationship drives the story, grounding the fantastical premise in something relatable. Scobell, best known for The Adam Project, delivers a solid performance as Charlie, capturing teenage frustration and burgeoning heroism with earnestness. The chemistry between him and Wilson is the film’s emotional anchor, even if their reconciliation feels rushed in the third act.

Where Secret Headquarters falters is in its execution of action and humor. Joost and Schulman, who previously collaborated on Catfish and Nerve, fail to bring their signature visual flair to this project. The set pieces lack energy, relying instead on generic chases and uninspired fight scenes. The film’s comedic beats often miss their mark, with Peña’s over-the-top villainy feeling more cartoonish than threatening. Argon’s sinister schemes—centering on weaponizing The Guard’s power source—are underdeveloped, leaving his motivations vague.

The pacing is another issue. At 105 minutes, Secret Headquarters feels bloated, particularly in its middle act, which struggles to maintain momentum. Subplots, like the budding romance between Charlie and Maya (Momona Tamada), are introduced but never fully explored. The resolution—Charlie sending Argon through a portal during a school dance—lacks the weight or spectacle it should carry.

Yet, there are bright spots. Jesse Williams, as Irons, a mercenary pursuing The Guard’s technology, brings unexpected depth to his role. Keith L. Williams and Abby James Witherspoon, as Charlie’s friends Berger and Lizzie, provide welcome comic relief, even if their characters sometimes feel underutilized.

Thematically, Secret Headquarters explores the tension between duty and family—a theme that resonates in superhero stories but rarely feels fresh. The film’s attempt to blend action with heartfelt drama is commendable, but it never fully escapes the shadow of more iconic family-friendly superhero films like Big Hero 6 or Spider-Man: Homecoming. Those movies balanced humor, emotion, and spectacle far more effectively.

Visually, the film leans heavily on neon-lit interiors and CGI-heavy action sequences, but its aesthetic lacks distinction. The underground lair, while impressive, never feels as immersive as similar settings in films like The Incredibles or Ant-Man. The sound design is functional but unremarkable, failing to elevate the film’s more intense moments.

Ultimately, Secret Headquarters is a forgettable entry in the superhero genre. It’s not without charm—Wilson and Scobell’s performances are its saving graces—but it lacks the originality or energy to stand out. The film plays it too safe, never fully committing to the thrill of discovery that should define a story about uncovering a secret lair beneath one’s home.

The film is clearly aimed at young audiences, particularly those who enjoy lighthearted superhero adventures with a focus on family dynamics. However, even within this niche, Secret Headquarters struggles to differentiate itself from better-executed films in the same vein. It’s a movie that will likely entertain children and preteens but fail to leave a lasting impression.

For older viewers or fans of more complex superhero narratives, the film offers little in the way of substance or innovation. The emotional beats are predictable, the action sequences unremarkable, and the humor often falls flat. While it’s commendable that Secret Headquarters attempts to explore themes of family and duty within a superhero framework, it does so without adding anything new to the conversation.

In comparison to other recent family-friendly superhero films, Secret Headquarters comes up short. Films like Big Hero 6 and Spider-Man: Homecoming managed to balance humor, emotion, and spectacle in ways that resonated with both children and adults. They offered compelling characters, inventive action sequences, and a sense of wonder that made them stand out.

Secret Headquarters, on the other hand, feels like a missed opportunity. With a talented cast and an intriguing premise, it had the potential to be something special. Instead, it settles for safe, generic storytelling that fails to capitalize on its own strengths. The film’s performances are its strongest asset, but even they can’t elevate the material beyond mediocrity.

In conclusion, Secret Headquarters is a disappointingly bland and muddled action movie. It’s far from the worst family viewing option out there, but given the talent assembled—including Owen Wilson, Michael Peña, and Walker Scobell—it’s surprising how little it achieves.