A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: The Incredibles

Date Viewed: 11/14/04

Details:

Voice talents: Craig T. Nelson

Holly Hunter

Samuel L. Jackson

Jason Lee

Written & directed by: Brad Bird

Score: +1/2

The Review: The historical background to the Incredibles' universe is provided in B&W flashbacks and albums with news clippings -- it seems that occasional snafus and "human" errors, combined with an increasingly litigious society and gradual loss of respect, has resulted in the banning of superheroes. All those with secret identities have been in hiding for at least ten years, or concealed by some sort of witness-protection-like program. But time passes, memories fade, couples get married and have kids, middle-age sets in, boredom and grumpy dissatisfaction settle around the growing midriff. No one talks about the offspring of mutant superheroes; no one talks about ennui and mid-life crises of differently-talented adults.

Until now...

The Incredibles leverages the mid-life crisis into a rebellion against sidelining, a rebirth of the superhero (little say the family unit), and a lot of action-adventure. And it does so with incredible humor and fun, and at several different levels of (at)(in)tention. Highly recommended.

Pun-filled: pay attention to the characters' names, for one; I wonder if the multi-lingual meanings (e.g., Mode) were intentional. Detail-filled: pay attention to the automobiles and rolling stock, all of which has been animated to match the designs of the 1950's.

It appears there's a consistent but private mythology of superheroes that breaks through in lots of intriguing and amusing details: design and trade-marking of the super-suit, fashion accessories, etc. There's an hysterical riff on capes: which super-hero wore a cape, what did it look like, which ones encountered which problems due solely to the cape, culminating in a diatribe against the wearing of the cape. And as it turns out, this litany bears fruit before the movie is over.

It's been awhile since Brad Bird's last entry into the animation genre -- the excellent Iron Giant -- but the wait has been worth it.

(31-Dec-04)

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