Line #37 Film/StarKid


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/starkidfail.jpg]]
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3	''Star Kid'' is a 1997[[note]]It was first released in Singapore on November 13, 1997; its American release was on January 16, 1998.[[/note]] indie sci-fi/family movie that revolves around the adventures of one Spencer Griffith (Creator/JosephMazzello), a normal kid who found an alien spacesuit lying in a crater in his hometown, crawled into it, and got stuck inside. Soon enough he finds himself speaking to an alien A.I., transforming into an advanced tech version of a SuperSoldier, and having to save the Earth from InsectoidAliens.
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5	Unlike most kid heroes, Spencer never JumpedAtTheCall; he got shoved. Of course, [[AscendedFanboy that's not to say he won't have a little fun while he learns how to be a hero...]]
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7	Not to be confused with the musical theatre production troupe Creator/TeamStarKid.
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9	----
10	!!The movie has many sci-fi–related tropes:
11	* AbusiveParents:
12	** Arguably with Spencer's dad Roland. He tries to be a good father, but he's too busy with his work. He also scolds his son for not waiting for him to pick him up from school, even though he was ridiculously late.
13	** Turbo's dad blames him for what Spencer/Cy did and continually refers to him as "[[NeverMyFault his wife's]]" son.
14	* AdaptiveArmor: The suit can create a cannon, a shield and who knows what else.
15	* ArtifactOfDoom: If Cy fell into the wrong hands, he would become this.
16	* ArtifactOfPower: Kinda, except Cy's a talking sentient suit.
17	* BigBad: The unseen ruler of Brood Warriors.
18	* BizarreAlienBiology: The fact that they seem to urinate from ''something'' placed at shoulder-bone height says a lot about the alienness of Cy's creators.
19	* TheBully: Turbo is definitely this to Spencer, pushing him, insulting him, being territorial and even spitting in his comic book. Dude is NOT nice.
20	* BystanderSyndrome: Spencer, after he convinced Cy to let him out. Even being told that the Brood Warriors will conquer Earth once they obtain Cy, Spencer is too afraid to do something about it but eventually comes around to.
21	* CallingYourAttacks: In this case, calling "code words" to make sure Cy doesn't blow up any innocent bystanders.
22	* CameFromTheSky: How Spencer discovered Cy.
23	* ClingyMacGuffin: Cy the [=CyberSuit=]. He initially can't be removed until Spenser tests his combat capabilities in a field mission.
24	* ClothesMakeTheSuperman: The combat suit again.
25	* CoolTeacher: Janet Holloway begins by helping Spenser with bullies and giving advice, then moves on to helping him with the alien issues.
26	* DiabolusExNihilo: The Brood Warrior certainly gives this impression.
27	* EmbarrassingFirstName: Turbo's real name is Manfred.
28	* EurekaMoment: When Turbo figured out it was Spencer inside the alien suit who threw him in the trash, after his dad says the same thing Cy said to him, which Turbo said to Spencer earlier in the film (see Ironic Echo).
29	* ExactWords: Spencer is told he can't leave the suit until he has "engaged in a field combat situation". After a near-disastrous first encounter with The Brood Warrior, Spencer convinces Cy to let him out since the mission was technically accomplished: They didn't need to ''win'' a fight, just "engage" in one.
30	* HeroicHost: Spencer and Cy, the suit's A.I.
31	* HeroicSacrifice: Of the non-dying variety, but still a sacrifice. [[spoiler:When Cy ejects Spencer just before his power runs down completely.]]
32	* HumanoidAliens: The midget aliens, known as the Trelkins who built Cy.
33	* IronicEcho: "You are a USDA choice dead meat."
34	* KickTheDog: The first time Turbo bullies Spencer, he makes a point to steal and actually spit ''into'' Spencer's comic book.
35	* MechaMooks: The Brood Warrior army.
36	* MissingMom: Spencer's mother died from an unspecified sickness two years before the events of the movie.
37	* MistakenIdentity: Cy mistakes a guy in a suit as being from another hostile species known to his creators.
38	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Cy could occasionally be a little ''overzealous'' when using his weapons.
39	* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: The issue of ''[=MidNight=] Warrior'' advertises its story as "Rage of the Giant Nazi Zombie."
40	* PottyEmergency: Cy does have a means to release bodily fluids, but that part is locked and sealed with no way for Spencer to open it on its own. He needs his teacher to open the part.
41	* PoweredArmor: The suit.
42	* RefusalOfTheCall: Cy tries to convince Spencer to put him on in order to defeat the Brood Warrior and save Earth, but Spencer is too scared to do it because he's just a kid and leaves Cy be. Though he tries to warn his family about the invasion, but his dad doesn't believe him. After being sent to his room, he realizes his mistake leaving Cy, so he returns to him and puts the suit on again to face the Brood Warrior.
43	* RobotNames: Cy the [=CyberSuit=], [[SarcasmMode very original]].
44	* ScaryDogmaticAliens: The Brood Warrior.
45	* SecretKeeper: Turbo, about Spencers tenure as a ''Superhero''.
46	* SpitefulSpit: Manfred or Turbo as he likes to be known, knocks Spencer's comic book on the ground as he's bullying him, spits in it, and shoves it back at him.
47	* SuperPrototype: Cy is the first of his kind.
48	* TastesLikeFriendship: Subverted. Spencer tries to eat a hamburger through Cy's mouth, who then takes out all the good stuff. He thus turns it into a ball of beef-like eck.
49	* TemptingFate: Spencer tells Cy that no dangerous aliens around, soon after, a Brood Warrior arrives on Earth.
50	* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Spencer says something along these lines when he gets ready to face the Brood Warrior.
51	* WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld: Averted. Sure, there ''is'' going to school in the prologue and epilogue, but the whole situation happens during one wild night.
52	* WaveMotionGun: Both Cy and the Brood Warrior are equipped with such weapons.
53	* WhatIsThisFeeling: Cy experiences humor, as he faked a malfunction which could cause him to explode while Spencer is wearing him.
54	* WhatWouldXDo: {{Discussed}}, which leads Spenser to decide to save the day like his favorite comic book character, [=MidKnight=] Warrior.
55	-->'''Stacey:''' [Mom] said, "Think of someone you really admire, and ask yourself what they would do in that situation."\
56	'''Spenser:''' What happened?\
57	'''Stacey:''' Well, when I told her that person was the lead singer of Switchblade Nuns, she figured maybe that wasn't the right approach for me. But hey, I mean, it might work for you.
58	* WithCatlikeTread: At one point Spencer/Cy are moving noisily through the house and Spencer asks if Cy has a stealth mode. Cy replies that he ''is'' in stealth mode.
59	* YouHaveToBelieveMe: Spencer's teacher told Roland about his son and Cy, but he doesn't believe her and argues with her. Spencer returned home and confirmed everything (including the coming of the Brood Warriors), but he just tells him to go to his room. He then shouted when Spencer starts to argue. He did manage to see the spaceship of Cy's creators as it took off, but was more concern about his son at the moment.

Context Film / StarKid