Written by: Kevin Berge
Jack-Jack vs. the raccoon is going to be the focus on the third in the trilogy. (Image Courtesy of: geektyrant.com)
Quick Take: Incredibles 2 has all the charm, wit, and depth of its predecessor even while it feels much less timely. It is hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this film regardless of age even if its story is a bit stretched in focus.
My Definitive Pixar Rankings (Updated to include this film)
***This movie just recently was released, so the reader is not expected to have seen the film yet. Therefore, this will be a non-spoiler review, only detailing the set-up (detailed in the trailers) that makes this film unique from its predecessor.***
If there was one Pixar movie that needed a sequel, it was The Incredibles. The first film was a superhero film that came out just before the genre exploded, showcasing the importance of heroism and family. It's a simple but often prescient look at a genre that now dominates the landscape.
The sequel could go in so many directions, making it hard to believe it took Brad Bird 14 years to make the second. However, it is at least clear that once again this is the only Pixar franchise under the complete creative control of one name with Bird returning as both director and writer.
For all Pixar's awkward attempts at sequels, that continued creative control almost guaranteed this second act would at least be good. How could it fail with everyone returning and so much time put behind it? There's so much room for storytelling.
The focus Bird decided to take with Incredibles 2 follows directly after the first, continuing the tale of superheroes fighting for their freedom to use their powers. This time, Winston Deaver (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) recruit Elastagirl (Holly Hunter) to try and salvage the image of heroes to the public.
This leave Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) to look after the family as Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner), and Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) all go through new challenges as their powers and responsibilities grow. Both parents face challenges by accepting they have two roles to play: hero and guardian.
In other words, much of what the first film articulated, the second one emphasizes. Smartly, it doesn't forget what happened in the first which would have been easy. Even while the Incredible family occasionally renege on what they decided in the first, they always reaffirm it while growing more.
***This movie just recently was released, so the reader is not expected to have seen the film yet. Therefore, this will be a non-spoiler review, only detailing the set-up (detailed in the trailers) that makes this film unique from its predecessor.***
If there was one Pixar movie that needed a sequel, it was The Incredibles. The first film was a superhero film that came out just before the genre exploded, showcasing the importance of heroism and family. It's a simple but often prescient look at a genre that now dominates the landscape.
The sequel could go in so many directions, making it hard to believe it took Brad Bird 14 years to make the second. However, it is at least clear that once again this is the only Pixar franchise under the complete creative control of one name with Bird returning as both director and writer.
For all Pixar's awkward attempts at sequels, that continued creative control almost guaranteed this second act would at least be good. How could it fail with everyone returning and so much time put behind it? There's so much room for storytelling.
The focus Bird decided to take with Incredibles 2 follows directly after the first, continuing the tale of superheroes fighting for their freedom to use their powers. This time, Winston Deaver (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) recruit Elastagirl (Holly Hunter) to try and salvage the image of heroes to the public.
This leave Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) to look after the family as Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner), and Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) all go through new challenges as their powers and responsibilities grow. Both parents face challenges by accepting they have two roles to play: hero and guardian.
In other words, much of what the first film articulated, the second one emphasizes. Smartly, it doesn't forget what happened in the first which would have been easy. Even while the Incredible family occasionally renege on what they decided in the first, they always reaffirm it while growing more.
In this movie, Dash mainly seems to be fighting the sun given how red he always is. (Image Courtesy of: villagecinemas.com.au)
Where the film suffers is its ability to juggle the importance of the five characters. Elastagirl and Mr. Incredible take such a heavy focus in this narrative that it feels like Violet and especially Dash are forgotten. The speedster almost feels like he's only around because he had to be.
Violet has a barely focused romance that never amounts to anything. Jack-Jack is the scene stealer throughout with his growing powers making for quality comedy, but he is mostly an obstacle for Mr. Incredible to overcome. This is a shame because the kids were the ones with real room for growth.
They play a crucial role in the story overall, but, if we ever get an Incredibles 3, the film will need to move away from the parents and focus on the kids. It feels like the themes of Bird's two movies have run their course with both the heads of the family now even if the best voice actors of the film are in those roles.
Hunter (The Piano) both plays the star of the film and is the standout performer throughout. Elastigirl is fully developed here as a mother trying to best by her kids, enjoying playing the hero while struggling to leave her children behind. Nelson (Coach) occasionally has to stretch to keep Mr. Incredible likable as his obsession with playing the hero can be frustrating even if his story comes nicely full circle over time.
In many ways, this is a better superhero film than animated film. The villain is not all that engaging a presence, but the threat of that villain gives shape to the narrative. The action scenes especially focusing on Elastagirl are spectacular. There's so much quiet variety here to celebrate.
As an animated adventure, it cannot quite reach the depths of many Pixar experiences. While it can appeal to all ages especially with its comedy, I don't know that it will stand out for younger kids as much as other animated films. It's not as flashy and quotable as a Disney movie for example.
In the end though, this just feels like a film that would have been even better released a few years after the first. It comes off a bit like another Marvel film without even being in that universe which holds it back from being the classic it might have been at one time.
Violet has a barely focused romance that never amounts to anything. Jack-Jack is the scene stealer throughout with his growing powers making for quality comedy, but he is mostly an obstacle for Mr. Incredible to overcome. This is a shame because the kids were the ones with real room for growth.
They play a crucial role in the story overall, but, if we ever get an Incredibles 3, the film will need to move away from the parents and focus on the kids. It feels like the themes of Bird's two movies have run their course with both the heads of the family now even if the best voice actors of the film are in those roles.
Hunter (The Piano) both plays the star of the film and is the standout performer throughout. Elastigirl is fully developed here as a mother trying to best by her kids, enjoying playing the hero while struggling to leave her children behind. Nelson (Coach) occasionally has to stretch to keep Mr. Incredible likable as his obsession with playing the hero can be frustrating even if his story comes nicely full circle over time.
In many ways, this is a better superhero film than animated film. The villain is not all that engaging a presence, but the threat of that villain gives shape to the narrative. The action scenes especially focusing on Elastagirl are spectacular. There's so much quiet variety here to celebrate.
As an animated adventure, it cannot quite reach the depths of many Pixar experiences. While it can appeal to all ages especially with its comedy, I don't know that it will stand out for younger kids as much as other animated films. It's not as flashy and quotable as a Disney movie for example.
In the end though, this just feels like a film that would have been even better released a few years after the first. It comes off a bit like another Marvel film without even being in that universe which holds it back from being the classic it might have been at one time.