Well, after weeks of non-stop advertising, I finally broke down and went to see
The Incredibles last night with my dad. I admit that I was a little worried about seeing this flick. I got the impression from the previews that this was one of those movies that could be either fantastic, or really awful depending on the talent and skill of the people involved. I almost decided to avoid it, but--fotunately for me--my adolescent love for all things superheroic won out. [Following this impulse hasn't always worked for me. When I went to see The Hulk for instance.]
Anyway, my Dad and I get to the movie theater. After complaining about the butter on the popcorn (why does movie theater butter taste so awful now?), and mocking the previews (see also: National Treasure), we settled in to watch the movie. First of all, the opening Pixar cartoon is as adorable as usual. Secondly, the entire opening sequence of the movie is awesome. We start out with Mr. Incredible, a superhero with a cool car and super strength, on his way to an important event that involves wearing a tux. In the process of getting there, he helps get a cat out of a tree, stops a thief, saves a suicidal jumper, and thwarts a bank robbery attempt. Not to mention saving his number one fan and would be sidekick "IncrediBoy"
from getting blown up. All of this is done well with great dialogue, cool action sequences and enough foreshadowing to make it work. In the end, we find out that the event he's on his way to is his very own wedding to ElastiGirl (voiced by one of my favorite actresses, Holly Hunter). All seems to be wedded bliss, until we cut to a neat little sequence that parodies old newsreels. Here we find out that Mr. Incredible is being sued by the jumper who didn't want to be saved. This brings on a rash of law suits for the super suits, which leads the government to form the Superhero Relocation Program.
A few years in the program find Mr. Incredible and ElastiGirl living as Bob and Helen Parr with their 3 children. Super fast Dash, Violet, a sort of goth version of the Fantastic Four's Invisible girl; and Jack, the baby with no superpowers at all (they think, anyway). All is not domestic bliss, however. Helen has her hands full with the kids, and Bob is moping about his lousy job with an amoral insurance company by day, while going out at night to recapture his glory days doing undercover heroics with his old buddy FroZone (voiced by a cool as ice Samuel Jackson).
After being fired for throwing his boss through several walls and putting him in traction, Bob finds himself in trouble. The government refuses to help relocate him again, and how will he tell Helen? Fortunately help comes in the form of a mysterious benefactor who hires him to take out a giant robot. After succeeding (and getting paid handsomely), Bob is ready to resume the superhero life. The problem is that his new boss is not what he seems, and when Mr. Incredible gets into trouble it's up to ElastiGirl to come out of retirement and save the day. With a little help from the kids, of course.
Like most of Pixar's films, this one sparkles with energy and humor, but it takes a more grownup approach to the dialogue and themes than previously. The best analogy would be the Harry Potter books, a series that assumes that kids are smart enough to understand the jokes that make adults laugh. The writing and directing are top notch, which didn't surprise me once I found out that Brad Bird, the genius behind
The Iron Giant, did both. Look out for some great character moments, especially from Edna Mode, fashion designer for the Superhero set (voiced by Bird, believe it or not). She is one of the funniest characters in the movie.
Go see this movie. Seriously, I mean it. If you like action, humor, family, and great animation, you will thank me.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -- Mark Twain
!! I am a HUGE, and i repeat HUGE fan of Alan Rickman, and i was very surprised when i accidently fell on this movie, it was a very good surprise!
at: 5/5/04 3:08 pm
Out 
) Melanie Lynskey, also making her debut (whatever happened to her?).
]
Out 
it really was exceptional.
very good... me like! It captured my attention so much I didn't notice my friend beside me get out of her seat twice to go to the little nuns room!
