Today’s quick review: The Incredibles. After a public relations disaster forces America’s superheroes into early retirement, Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson), the former Mr. Incredible, and his wife Helen (Holly Hunter), the former Elastigirl, settle down to an ordinary life in the suburbs to raise their shy daughter Violet (Sarah Vowell), their hyperactive son Dash (Spencer Fox), and their baby Jack Jack. But when Mr. Incredible resumes hero work behind his wife’s back, the consequences of his actions threaten to tear his family apart.
The Incredibles is a CGI family comedy and Disney’s take on the superhero genre. The Incredibles features superpowered action, themes of family and supporting one another, and a stylized world of heroes and villains inspired by the glory days of the superhero genre. The graphics are dated but nevertheless impressive, while the writing sparkles with humor and clever details. The whole is capped off by an outstanding soundtrack with a strong trumpet theme.
Fans of the superhero genre may find The Incredibles odd at first. The setting is a hodgepodge of superhero conventions more than a world of its own. The Incredibles’ powers are close, but not identical, to the Fantastic Four’s. The family dynamic seems to distract from the core hero work. But eventually the film proves that it is not only an ode to the genre, but a competent story in its own right.
The Incredibles does a surprisingly good job of handling the familial aspects of its story. The story is not just about Bob’s midlife crisis, but Dash’s need for an outlet, Violet’s lack of confidence, and Helen’s efforts to keep them all together. For relatively simple character concepts, they touch on some interesting themes, and their interactions and growth are handled quite well.
Watch The Incredibles if you are looking for a family-friendly adventure with great characters, strong writing, and mountains of style. Most people will enjoy the film to some degree, and many will find it a modern classic.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 to 8.5 for smart writing, action, and fun.