THE INCREDIBLES
US, 2004, 120 minutes, Colour.
Voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Bird.
Directed by Brad Bird.
It’s almost too late to say that Pixar Studios have done it again. Every reviewer seems to have said it. Of course, they are right. Who thought it was impossible to top the Toy Story movies or A Bug’s Life or Monsters Inc or Finding Nemo? Probably Finding Nemo reaches a wider audience, especially of littlies, but there is no denying that The Incredibles is an extraordinary tour-de-force of animation genius and wizardry.
There is obviously an audience for this type of heroic action adventure that involves the whole family. The Spy Kids stories proved that. Thunderbirds (which this story resembles) tried to do it.
The Incredibles, despite the fact that it runs for two hours, seems to keep the attention of the young audience. After all, they are watching a family, not just any old family, but a family of superheroes who are trying to blend in, to be normal, but then have to rescue the world from a young mad scientist (voiced by Jason Lee but looking and sounding like a more manic Jack Black). There is plenty for adults to enjoy. Not just the action, which animation has enabled to be more flexible and derring-do than Spiderman), but also the parody of ordinary living, the satire on science fiction and a good deal of humour.
Speaking of humour, actor Craig T. Nelson has never given the impression of being a comedian. He is usually a reliable hero (TV’s Coach) or a solid leader or a solid villain. But he voices Mr Incredible with fine comic timing, pride and modesty and some nice romantic touches. Mr Indcredible is extremely likable. Holly Hunter is recognizably welcome as Mrs Incredible (nee Elastogirl). Samuel L.Jackson voices their superhero friend.
One can only say again just how fluid, colourful, fast-paced and seemingly effortless the animation is that has created such an action-packed and amusing entertainment. It is a tribute to writer-director, Brad Bird.
1. The film’s acclaim, awards? The success of Pixar Studio films? The sense of what audiences like, subjects and treatment?
2. The title, the tradition of images of heroes? The irony of the couple being heroes, their solving cases, service to the city, the mistakes, the disasters? Their being in a protection program? The transition to ordinary life, their children with their gifts – and the yen for the heroic? The public response to the Incredibles?
3. The quality of the animation style, widescreen and colour, design, characters, real/parody? Action types, the action sequences, editing and pace, computer graphic effects, the skills and catching the audiences up in the atmosphere?
4. The parents, the children? The voices – and the rendition of the comic lines?
5. Mr Incredible and his look, Chesty Bond? Seeing him in action, in the city, responding to needs, thwarting evil? Elastagirl and her look, her arms, stretching, her feats? Frozone and his character, appearance, skills in action, the freeze?
6. The world of ordinary people, the criminals, the success of the Incredibles, the victims, suing, the public? Government decisions, retirement? The effect on the family and their having to go into ordinary life, the relocation, the jobs, home life, ordinariness for fifteen years?
7. The family, the bonds between them, Bob as a good father, Helen as a good mother? Violet and her skills, the petulance of the young girl, Dash and his energy? The baby? Living in the suburbs, ordinariness – and the importance not being special?
8. Bob at work, its dullness, at the desk, the clients, his giving help to the clients with interpreting the law, the boss, his threats?
9. Helen, home life, the domestic style, the children and their going to school, frustrated at having to be ordinary at school and control and conceal their gifts? Their eagerness to use them? Their not understanding their parents?
10. Bob and Frozone, the Wednesday night out, not telling the truth to Helen, their motives, talking about the situation, listening in to the calls, going into action – and seeing them in action saving people? The heroism at the house?
11. Helen, her finding out, the consequences?
12. The character of Bud, Incrediboy? His wanting to help Mr Incredible, his presence, the inventions, his being a nuisance, Bob stopping him helping?
13. Bud and his growing to be Incrediboy, his resentment of the past, his dislike of Bob, his becoming a mad inventor, a kind of Dr No on his island, controls, sending Mirage on her mission?
14. Mirage, appearance and style, her mission? The unleashing of the rogue robot, Omnidroid? The devastation?
15. Bob, the confrontation with Omnidroid, his victory, his being sacked from his firm, the satire on bosses and bureaucrats?
16. Bob, a new chance in life, reforming, not fitting into his uniform, getting slimmer, the design – and the designer and her comments about the uniform, fitting him out?
17. Syndrome, the power, the devastation of the Omnidroid and its wreaking its destruction in the city?
18. Helen, going to Edna, the uniforms, with the children, wanting to rescue Bob, their all being captured?
19. The continued havoc of the Omnidroid, the destruction of Metroville? The need for saviours?
20. Mirage, the Incredibles, Frozone – and the battle, the overcoming of Incrediboy?
21. Syndrome, the baby, the fiery talent of the baby? Violet and her being invisible, Dash and his speed? Their using their skills with flair?
22. The continued dangers – and the continual need for heroes?
