The Incredibles



The Incredibles is almost a kiddie's version of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal graphic novel Watchmen. Both are about worlds where superheroes are forced to retire or work for the government, until a hoaxed alien invasion appears to threaten the world. Pixar's newest film is up the incredibly (heh) high standards they've set for themselves with their previous movies, with perhaps a touch more depth to the characters.



How do Mr. Incredible's freakishly thin ankles support his weight?

Bob and Helen used to be Mr. Incredible and Elasti-Girl, but now they're just another suburban couple with 2.5 kids, Violent, Flash, and Jack-Jack. When Bob gets fired from his insurance job for trying to hard to help people, the only way he can keep it from Helen is by taking a mysterious job that involves suiting up and destroying a giant robot on an remote island. Months later Bob is called back to the island and is captured, and it's up to the rest of his family to rescue him.

The best thing about The Incredibles is the visual look. It's a strange combination of 60's mod, Jack Kirby, and James Bond movie. The backgrounds are detailed and realistic, and the characters are cartoonish yet still expressive. I don't feel like seeing the movie once was nearly enough to take it all in.


"Look out! Dick Cheney!"

Writer/director Brad Bird made The Iron Giant back in 1999, a fine movie that unjustly bombed. The Incredibles is his response to that failure. It's got the same clever take on superheroes (I loved the bit where Elasti-Girl gets into a bind that only she and Mr. Fantastic could understand), and a lot of talk about how you shouldn't be forced to be mediocre just to be accepted. I don't think it's tough to see how Mr. Bird applies that last lesson to his own work.

Posted: Sun - November 7, 2004 at      

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