Written by: Kevin Berge
Can't wait for Incredible 2 where Jack-Jack becomes a completely OP supervillain and destroys everyone. (Image Courtesy of: nerdist.com)
Quick Take: The Incredibles is everything it promises to me in its premise and just a bit more with clever witty dialogue to go along with its flashy action. One of the best superhero movies ever made, the movie mastered a formula that films these days are still trying to understand.
***This is a detailed review of the 2004 film The Incredibles, exploring its important moments and themes. Those who have not seen the movie and plan to do so should watch it first before reading on as there will be many spoilers.***
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008 with Iron Man, but I always assumed it truly began when someone high up the later at Marvel Studios watching The Incredibles. Way ahead of its time, this Pixar film mastered the superhero formula before anyone fully understood it was a formula.
Set in the 1960s after superheroes have all been asked to retire, the classic superhero Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) is now living as an insurance salesman while his wife Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is a stay-at-home mother for their three children, the invisible Violet (Sarah Vowell), the speedy Dash (Spencer Fox), and the infant Jack-Jack.
Of course, normal life just does not work for these superheroes especially Mr. Incredible who jumps at the opportunity to return to action after quitting his job. He is so eager that he has no idea he is walking right into a trap from which only his whole family can save him.
It's easy to love The Incredibles. From the animated take on classic superhero tropes in its opener to the way it forces its characters in mundane situations that are harder to face than great perils, the movie knows what the audience wants to see these heroes do.
In this way, the whole film is playing on expectations and the many movies that came before. This is certainly a bit of a Fantastic Four riff, but it also echoes Superman, X-Men, and even James Bond. Everything is fair game.
More importantly, the themes of the story are far more relatable than they had any right to be. This is a story about coming to terms with your place in the world particularly a world that seeks a sense of uniformity. Most growing up today know what it is like to feel different yet to be unfairly normalized in the crowd.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008 with Iron Man, but I always assumed it truly began when someone high up the later at Marvel Studios watching The Incredibles. Way ahead of its time, this Pixar film mastered the superhero formula before anyone fully understood it was a formula.
Set in the 1960s after superheroes have all been asked to retire, the classic superhero Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) is now living as an insurance salesman while his wife Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is a stay-at-home mother for their three children, the invisible Violet (Sarah Vowell), the speedy Dash (Spencer Fox), and the infant Jack-Jack.
Of course, normal life just does not work for these superheroes especially Mr. Incredible who jumps at the opportunity to return to action after quitting his job. He is so eager that he has no idea he is walking right into a trap from which only his whole family can save him.
It's easy to love The Incredibles. From the animated take on classic superhero tropes in its opener to the way it forces its characters in mundane situations that are harder to face than great perils, the movie knows what the audience wants to see these heroes do.
In this way, the whole film is playing on expectations and the many movies that came before. This is certainly a bit of a Fantastic Four riff, but it also echoes Superman, X-Men, and even James Bond. Everything is fair game.
More importantly, the themes of the story are far more relatable than they had any right to be. This is a story about coming to terms with your place in the world particularly a world that seeks a sense of uniformity. Most growing up today know what it is like to feel different yet to be unfairly normalized in the crowd.
So many superhero movies need an Edna Mode. No, scratch that, all movies need an Edna Mode. (Image Courtesy of: jovemnerd.com.br)
Director and writer Brad Bird has had his greatest successes in animation from Iron Giant to Ratatouille, but this is the movie that feels tailor-made for his style. This film is dripping with his criticisms of the real world intermixed with imaginative comic-book-inspired fun.
While I would not call this the best Pixar film, I would say it's the funniest. The consistent riffs on culture really shine through with some of the smartest humor you will ever find in a kid's movie. It's almost so good at playing on tropes that the jokes could easily go over the heads of younger viewers.
There is certainly enjoyment here for kids. The characters are designed to often look ridiculous, and the vibrancy of the animation would work for anyone. However, I know I would not have understand many of the ways things this movie is trying to say if I were under the age of 10.
The character of Syndrome (Jason Lee) especially is just a wealth of reference gags. The way he is so keenly aware of his own villain status makes for some fantastic moments especially his self-aware "monologuing" jokes. He is incredibly creepy but always entertaining.
The rest of the cast are more grounded with some great performances from the voice actors to make them feel real. Holly Hunter as Elastigirl stands out because you truly believe in her as a caring mother. You feel her anxiety, frustration, and pain throughout the story.
One surprise standout in the cast is Brad Bird himself as Edna Mode who is a minor character in the story but an absolute showstealer. If there is one character I will always remember from The Incredibles, it is Edna from her warnings about capes to her casual friendliness locked behind an impenetrable obsession with her work.
While I would not call this the best Pixar film, I would say it's the funniest. The consistent riffs on culture really shine through with some of the smartest humor you will ever find in a kid's movie. It's almost so good at playing on tropes that the jokes could easily go over the heads of younger viewers.
There is certainly enjoyment here for kids. The characters are designed to often look ridiculous, and the vibrancy of the animation would work for anyone. However, I know I would not have understand many of the ways things this movie is trying to say if I were under the age of 10.
The character of Syndrome (Jason Lee) especially is just a wealth of reference gags. The way he is so keenly aware of his own villain status makes for some fantastic moments especially his self-aware "monologuing" jokes. He is incredibly creepy but always entertaining.
The rest of the cast are more grounded with some great performances from the voice actors to make them feel real. Holly Hunter as Elastigirl stands out because you truly believe in her as a caring mother. You feel her anxiety, frustration, and pain throughout the story.
One surprise standout in the cast is Brad Bird himself as Edna Mode who is a minor character in the story but an absolute showstealer. If there is one character I will always remember from The Incredibles, it is Edna from her warnings about capes to her casual friendliness locked behind an impenetrable obsession with her work.
That's a face not even a mother can love. (Image Courtesy of: writeups.org)
Composer Michael Giacchino has made many great scores for films including most of the modern Pixar films, but The Incredibles' score is his most memorable work with Pixar. He truly connects with the heart of the superhero theme with the references pervading the score design as well.
This wouldn't be a Pixar movie without having real heart. While consistently funny, the characters are developed through their connections with one another. Dash can be wild and unwieldy, but we see that he truly cares about his sister. Mr. Incredible can be stubborn and proud, but Elastigirl can always reel him back in.
While the movie has more scathing critiques, its discussion of family and belonging is the most accessible and perhaps the most important to the widest audience. Everyone should seek to do what they love and be the best at what they do best, but, more than that, they should always seek the support of those they love in their endeavors.
Modern superhero movies often struggle to find their own themes. They have the characters and the action, but the focus is muddied. The Incredibles never has this issue because the essence of these characters is their thematic focus. They are defined by their search for importance and family ties.
This is not to say these characters could not exist outside of this movie though. The opposite is true. It is easy to believe that Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl had many adventures over the years and that Dash and Violet will have many in the future. They just are introduced in just the right "comic book" story.
Pixar's breadth of stories has always been impressive, and The Incredibles is one of the most unique films the studio has ever produced, beating most major studios to the superhero craze. It is funny, heartfelt, intense, and feels relevant at all times.
This wouldn't be a Pixar movie without having real heart. While consistently funny, the characters are developed through their connections with one another. Dash can be wild and unwieldy, but we see that he truly cares about his sister. Mr. Incredible can be stubborn and proud, but Elastigirl can always reel him back in.
While the movie has more scathing critiques, its discussion of family and belonging is the most accessible and perhaps the most important to the widest audience. Everyone should seek to do what they love and be the best at what they do best, but, more than that, they should always seek the support of those they love in their endeavors.
Modern superhero movies often struggle to find their own themes. They have the characters and the action, but the focus is muddied. The Incredibles never has this issue because the essence of these characters is their thematic focus. They are defined by their search for importance and family ties.
This is not to say these characters could not exist outside of this movie though. The opposite is true. It is easy to believe that Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl had many adventures over the years and that Dash and Violet will have many in the future. They just are introduced in just the right "comic book" story.
Pixar's breadth of stories has always been impressive, and The Incredibles is one of the most unique films the studio has ever produced, beating most major studios to the superhero craze. It is funny, heartfelt, intense, and feels relevant at all times.
Final verdict:
Three Defining Success
Three Defining Success
- An intelligent critique of both comic book superheroes and the modern society.
- A host of memorable characters that feel like they live far beyond the story.
- Vibrant animated action that absolutely thrives in the excitement of its superheroes and their powers.
- Due to its clever touches and plays on various concepts, The Incredibles is the least accessible of Pixar's best films especially to a younger audience.
