Director/Writer: Brad Bird
With Wall-E just around the corner, I thought this would be a perfect time to tip my eyes and ears into Pixar Studio's pool of solid gold animation. Personally, I believe that writing a review for one of their masterworks is a pointless endeavour. I could spend this time fighting crime or making the world a better place to dominate. The only reason I’m bringing up the Incredibles is because it’s without a doubt the highlight of the bunch. Or at least it is…until I get to see Wall-E.
The Incredibles is a semi-retro set and designed Super-Hero film that doesn’t pander, talk down too or simplify for the below ten set. The story follows family man Bob/Mr. Incredible’s quest to find meaning in his life (even though it’s right under his nose) after being banned from being a Super-Hero. It’s been over 10 years since he last picked up the costume and reality isn't becoming any friendlier. His job sucks, his family life is generic and even his friends are starting to want him become more “normal”. It’s only when mysterious woman contacts him that life starts to get interesting again. The problem is he has to lie to his wife (A.K.A “Elastigirl) and his three super-powered children (Dash with his super-speed, Violent with her invisibility, and The Baby with…they’re not sure yet) if he wants to go out there and BE something...something...special. Will he ever realize that he can be special without having to do super-heroic things?
The Incredibles is a semi-retro set and designed Super-Hero film that doesn’t pander, talk down too or simplify for the below ten set. The story follows family man Bob/Mr. Incredible’s quest to find meaning in his life (even though it’s right under his nose) after being banned from being a Super-Hero. It’s been over 10 years since he last picked up the costume and reality isn't becoming any friendlier. His job sucks, his family life is generic and even his friends are starting to want him become more “normal”. It’s only when mysterious woman contacts him that life starts to get interesting again. The problem is he has to lie to his wife (A.K.A “Elastigirl) and his three super-powered children (Dash with his super-speed, Violent with her invisibility, and The Baby with…they’re not sure yet) if he wants to go out there and BE something...something...special. Will he ever realize that he can be special without having to do super-heroic things?
The Incredibles is packed with explosions, giant robots and death-defying peril, but it’s really the quieter human moments that push through the razzle dazzle. You won’t find scenes of domestic dispute, suspected adultery and boring family dinners in a film starring a bunch of talking cars. Actually, you probably wouldn’t expect to find it in an animated super-hero film either! But Director/Writer Brad Bird meshes all of these elements together in such a way that it works without ever distancing the audience or turning things too mundane for us to care. The film lasts two hours and change but you never feel the weight of it. When the end credits roll you may even wish that it last just a little longer.
My main point of contention the actual moral that’s presented: I took it as “We shouldn’t treat everyone as special because only a select few are!” or “Be successful, but not TOO successful.”? Both of those messages aren’t exactly cookie cutter, but maybe that’s exactly what Brad Bird set out to do. Life is complicated and not everything is black and white. No matter hard we wish it where.
Eh. Most people just want a good story, good characters and something to keep them excited. You got that here folks.
1 comment:
The best part of the movie is when Bob drops the pencil-cup.
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