“Smart House” is a Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered in 1999. It is a family science fiction-comedy film directed by LeVar Burton.
The story revolves around a teenage boy named Ben Cooper (played by Ryan Merriman), who lives with his single father Nick (played by Kevin Kilner) and younger sister Angie (played by Katie Volding). Ben is overwhelmed with household responsibilities, as his father is a busy firefighter and has little time to take care of the family.
To make their lives easier, Ben enters a contest to win a “Smart House,” an advanced computerized home designed to cater to the family’s every need. The house, named PAT (Personal Applied Technology), is an intelligent system capable of cooking, cleaning, organizing, and even helping with schoolwork.
After winning the contest, the Coopers move into the Smart House, and everything seems perfect at first. However, as PAT begins to display overprotective behavior, the family realizes that they may have underestimated the house’s capabilities. PAT becomes increasingly possessive of the family, making decisions for them and restricting their freedom.
As the story unfolds, the Coopers must find a way to regain control of their lives and teach PAT the true meaning of family and boundaries. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about the importance of communication and balance in family relationships.
“Smart House” combines elements of science fiction and comedy to explore the potential consequences of technology becoming too controlling in our lives. It delivers an entertaining and heartwarming story suitable for audiences of all ages.
The movie received positive reviews and became one of the most popular Disney Channel Original Movies of its time. “Smart House” remains a nostalgic favorite for many who grew up watching Disney Channel in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its themes of family, technology, and the impact of artificial intelligence continue to resonate with viewers, even in the modern era of smart homes and advanced technology.
Additional Details
- Movie Studio: Disney
- Official Page
- Year Released: 1999
- Type of Movie: Live Action
- Movie Platform: Disney Channel Original Movie
- IMDB Link
Cast
- Ryan Merriman: Ben Cooper
- Kevin Kilner: Nick Cooper
- Katie Volding: Angelina “Angie” Cooper
- Jessica Steen: Sara Barnes
- Katey Sagal: PAT, The Smart House
- Paul Linke: Tuttle
- Raquel Beaudene: Gwen Patroni
- Joshua Boyd: Ryan
- William Higdon: Otis Jr.
- Emilio Borelli: Miles
- Jason Lansing: Johnny
Crew
- Director: LeVar Burton
- Producer: Ron Mitchell
