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The Incredibles review
2004.11.28 — Entertainment | Movies | Movie Reviews | by Andrew Cole
The Incredibles. [official site] |
Perhaps jazzed by the fun they've had with Buzz Lightyear, Pixar has leaped with both feet into sci-fi superhero adventure with The Incredibles. And once again the Pixar method has produced a winner.
Craig T Nelson is the former Mr. Incredible, now known only as Bob Parr, insurance adjuster, after a string of unfortunate lawsuits has required him—and every other superhero—to hang up the spandex.
Seeing Bob and wife Helen (the former flexible feminist Elastigirl) deal with ordinary lives should ring true for any parent who has had to grow up. Holly Hunter really puts the southern sass in Helen Parr, but the entire cast shines. Spencer Fox and Sarah Vowell (NPR commentator and frequent David Letterman guest) support as the kids. Jason Lee (you'll know him when you see his picture) is bad guy Syndrome.
The Parrs have the added difficulty of keeping their super children Violet and Dash from blowing their cover. It's a funny premise in itself, but Bob Parr isn't satisfied with family life. He sneaks off and fights crime with pal Lucius, the former Frozone (Samuel L Jackson, doing his best Samuel L Jackson impersonation).
...we know that only trouble—both global and domestic—can result. |
When Bob gets coaxed into slipping into (well, squeezing into) the old Mr. Incredible costume for some lucrative covert missions, we know that only trouble—both global and domestic—can result.
Writer/director Brad Bird is not a Pixar insider. He comes from The Simpsons and The Iron Giant. He has his own style that is bigger than previous Pixar efforts, but no less personal (and definitely does not include Randy Newman songs).
But it's also a knock-down, drag-out, rock-and-roll clash of titans. |
His story explores what it means to become responsible and honest, what it means to be superlative, and what it means to be a family. But it's also a knock-down, drag-out, rock-and-roll clash of titans. This is not a movie for little kids; the violence is fairly tame, but still pretty shocking for a Disney flick.
Without borrowing directly or parodying, The Incredibles references Superman, Spider-Man, the X-Men, James Bond, Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, and more. It creates a real adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Some of the scenery and gadgetry is breathtaking. The fact that it's animation will not console the owners of the James Bond franchise when they realize they now have to compete with a cartoon.
Good luck, 007.
f e e d b a c k
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