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The Incredibles (directed by Brad Bird)
5 out of 5 stars
There has never been an American animated film like Pixar's newest offering, The Incredibles. It truly advances the art of animated film-making, not just in terms of animation quality, but also in storytelling and subject matter. The Incredibles is just amazing in every possible way.
Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) is a depressed, listless suburban father who works as an insurance claims specialist. His wife Helen (Holly Hunter) is a stay at home mom raising three children. What nobody knows is that this seemingly normal couple used to be super-heroes, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. After a series of lawsuits from an ungrateful public, they were forced into hiding as part of a government relocation program. Superheroes are considered threatening to the idea that "everyone is special," so they're relegated to the scrapheap of history. Bob, along with his best friend, Lucius, formerly known as Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), long for the days when they were heroes, Helen has her hands full with her children, who also have powers but don't understand why they aren't allowed to use them. Fourth grader Dash (Spencer Fox), who's power is super speed, copes by lashing out at authority figures, and Violet (Sarah Vowell) a mopey teenage goth girl who can make herself invisible and create force fields, is painfully withdrawn and alienated from the other children. The only normal member of this family is Jack-Jack, a happy infant who's only problem is not knowing how to use the toilet. When Bob is called back to action by a mysterious (and deeply unhinged) benefactor (Jason Lee), he finds his passion for super-heroics rekindled and his quality of life improves. But when he is betrayed, Helen is forced out of retirement to save him, and the children must become the heroes they were born to be.
The Incredibles is a brilliant film. It creates it's own fully realized world and makes you care deeply about the characters. It works on so many levels, everyone will find something to like about it. Kids will enjoy the super-hero action and especially the exuberance of pre-teen super hero Dash. Adults will appreciate the wicked satire, sharp humour, and mature storytelling offered by Brad Bird's astounding screenplay. If ever an animated film deserved a Best Picture nomination, The Incredibles would be it. There are no cute talking animals, no wacky side-kicks, no songs to fill up the film's two hour running time, and they aren't needed. It is a huge step forward for the art of animation, and one that I can only hope others will follow. (sadly, Pixar's next film, "Cars," looks like about six steps backwards from this triumph.)
The Incredibles is the best film this year, and rivals Spider-Man 2 for the title of "Best Super-hero Movie Ever." Go see it now.
5 out of 5 stars
There has never been an American animated film like Pixar's newest offering, The Incredibles. It truly advances the art of animated film-making, not just in terms of animation quality, but also in storytelling and subject matter. The Incredibles is just amazing in every possible way.
Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) is a depressed, listless suburban father who works as an insurance claims specialist. His wife Helen (Holly Hunter) is a stay at home mom raising three children. What nobody knows is that this seemingly normal couple used to be super-heroes, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. After a series of lawsuits from an ungrateful public, they were forced into hiding as part of a government relocation program. Superheroes are considered threatening to the idea that "everyone is special," so they're relegated to the scrapheap of history. Bob, along with his best friend, Lucius, formerly known as Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), long for the days when they were heroes, Helen has her hands full with her children, who also have powers but don't understand why they aren't allowed to use them. Fourth grader Dash (Spencer Fox), who's power is super speed, copes by lashing out at authority figures, and Violet (Sarah Vowell) a mopey teenage goth girl who can make herself invisible and create force fields, is painfully withdrawn and alienated from the other children. The only normal member of this family is Jack-Jack, a happy infant who's only problem is not knowing how to use the toilet. When Bob is called back to action by a mysterious (and deeply unhinged) benefactor (Jason Lee), he finds his passion for super-heroics rekindled and his quality of life improves. But when he is betrayed, Helen is forced out of retirement to save him, and the children must become the heroes they were born to be.
The Incredibles is a brilliant film. It creates it's own fully realized world and makes you care deeply about the characters. It works on so many levels, everyone will find something to like about it. Kids will enjoy the super-hero action and especially the exuberance of pre-teen super hero Dash. Adults will appreciate the wicked satire, sharp humour, and mature storytelling offered by Brad Bird's astounding screenplay. If ever an animated film deserved a Best Picture nomination, The Incredibles would be it. There are no cute talking animals, no wacky side-kicks, no songs to fill up the film's two hour running time, and they aren't needed. It is a huge step forward for the art of animation, and one that I can only hope others will follow. (sadly, Pixar's next film, "Cars," looks like about six steps backwards from this triumph.)
The Incredibles is the best film this year, and rivals Spider-Man 2 for the title of "Best Super-hero Movie Ever." Go see it now.