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Welcome to Movies & Film
Movie Reviews, & Film Industry Commentary
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2004 – PG – 115 min.
Director: Brad Bird
Primary Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Wallace Shawn, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Brad Bird, Elizabeth Pena, John Ratzenberger
Stars **** (of 5)
Popcorn **** 1/2 (of 5)
Film Type(s): Animated, Superheroes, Family, Spy
Synopsis: The Parr’s try to live normal lives. The only problem is that 15 years ago, both were Crimefighters. Helen (Hunter) was the independent thinking Elastigirl, able to stretch to fantastic lengths and Bob (Nelson) was the Superstrong and durable Mr. Incredible. After a series of events cause the government to pass an “Anti-Supers” law, the entire Super powered community is forced underground. The Parr’s now live with their three children: Force field producing / shy teenager Violet (Vowell), Super fast / hyper pre-teen Dash (Fox), and ‘non-powered’ infant Jack-Jack. But then Bob receives a clandestine message that calls him to a mysterious island and back into action. Unfortunately his family gets involved in a plot to take over the world.
Review: Superhero movies get turned on their head in this Pixar / Disney movie. With a sly script Written by Director Brad Bird, this film follows a closer story structure to a combination 1960’s spy film and modern family drama rather than a ‘Superhero’ movie. Instead of tripping up this film like other mish-mashes of story structures have for other films, it makes it more endearing. (The island jump’s right out of 1962’s Dr. No. ) Bird’s invention of an Anti-‘Supers’ law is, in fact, a brilliant idea, since it opens up all kinds of dramatic possibilities for the characters, seeing them struggle with civilian life. Opening on a series of ‘old’ TV interviews with the three principles, we see the irony in how ’15 years later’ they get exactly what they were asking for and instead, want what they had before (Translation= they have a ‘normal’ midlife crisis). Mr. Incredible (Nelson) gets a family, but at the cost of being unable to use his powers to help others. Elastigirl (Hunter) has kids and (ironically) settles into being a homemaker a little too well. And Frozone (Jackson) becomes a great husband rather than a swinging bachelor. One of the highlights is Director Bird’s role as Edna Mode, an egocentric Fashion Designer / Inventor. The performance channel’s Hollywood Fashion icon Edith Head with dash’s of Desmond Lleywn’s ‘Q’ from James Bond, not to mention Bird gives himself some of the best lines (“NO CAPES!”). The script for this film is always fun and witty without ever losing the sense of the Incredibles as a family. Pop Author / Assassination History Buff Sarah Vowell lends her voice to teenage daughter Violet. The film’s score by Michael Giacchino reflects the aforementioned 60’s spy film style, so much so that he recorded it in Mono rather than Stereo to get the effect of a John Barry and Monty Norman–like score. The two old men at the end of the big battle royale are Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, the then-remaining members of the so-called “Nine Old Men”, who worked directly for Walt Disney and drew the early Disney movie classics (Snow White, Pinocchio, Bambi, etc.). Both had befriended Executive Producer John Lasseter and Bird, but unfortunately Thomas died of pneumonia shortly before this films release.
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