An ongoing series looking back at the feature films from Pixar Animation Studios
When I first came up with the idea of this ongoing perspective, any thoughts of a continuation on the 2004 smash hit The Incredibles was out of mind and out of sight. So it comes in good timing that, mere weeks before I get round to covering the first film, that a sequel is announced alongside a third instalment to the Cars franchise (which the first film will be discussed in tomorrow's Perspective). But onto the film itself. It's hard to come up with a worthy successor to 2003's Finding Nemo. Add director and writer Brad Bird, who brought in his old team from his 90s classic The Iron Giant into a format which they weren't familiar with - it could have gone wrong. But The Incredibles gets it right. It manages to do the things which a modern live action blockbuster can't due to its budget thanks to its animated format.
The Incredibles manages to recreate a basic American family and add superpowers into their correctly designated characteristics. Every family at that time would say they would be *this character* because they were that age and gender. The family themselves are a joy to watch. You see each member grow in some way or form, which allows great viewing. Bob Parr (Craig T Nelson) finally realises how important family is after spending the last 15 years "reliving the glory days", Helen (Holly Hunter) , Dash (Spencer Fox) is finally allowed to do sports after begging to do so during the first act, and Violet (Sarah Vowell) is given the confidence boost that many girls her age need. As for baby Jack Jack, he is sidelined for a majority of the film, but for good reason - it wouldn't be good parenting to have a baby amongst explosions and giant robots. Superhero companion Frozone (Samuel L Jackson) is also sidelined, also for good reason, but makes a triumphant reappearance in the final battle, and is a cool character. Supervillain Syndrome (Jason Lee) is a grand nemesis for the super family, with a great incentive hidden within the first act and with possibly the biggest villainous plots in modern cinema. However, the funniest of the bunch is Edna Mode, voiced by director Brad Bird, with her great monologues discussing fashion. She's memorable to this day, with a huge following, deservingly. Other characters are good to watch, but don't bring much in comparison to the main stars.
The story is incredibly original. In most first instalments in the superhero genre, it's the character getting their powers and facing a bad guy with a simple jealousy incentive. With the likes of X-Men and The Avengers, they already have their powers but must learn to come together. Here, the team are already together - they just need the threat to show off their abilities with good measure rather than fighting one another. Add the classic tone it gives through its style and music, it makes great viewing.
Humans are always difficult to animate. If they make them too realistic a la motion capture (The Adventures of Tintin and The Polar Express being key examples; only one is getting a sequel), but too distant can make them feel too fictional. The blend between the two here - almost comic book-like, which is fitting going by the scenario - really works for the characters at hand. Add the great visuals (who doesn't love the chase scenes?) throughout, it makes the simplistic designs of objects and buildings acceptable.
The Incredibles is a film worthy of a sequel. It has great characters, a story which is new to the genre, and a blend of action, adventure and comedy which would only be successfully replicated in 2012's The Avengers. It may follow the usual "big battle finale", but it does so with immense enjoyment. 10/10.
Next Time: Turn right to go left...
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