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14 years. It has been 14 years since Incredibles hit the screen. 14 years is a long time. In the memory of movie going audiences, that time span can dull the sense of anticipation and leave people wondering, did we need this sequel at all? Was anyone asking for this?
As it turns out, we did need Incredibles 2 and, of course, almost everyone was asking for it. Frankly, audiences had been demanding it, so much so that the movie begins with something of an apology for taking so long to hit theaters… well done Pixar/Disney.
Therefore, Incredibles 2 had a lot of expectations, a lot riding on it, a lot to live up to. And it succeeds on almost every level.
Picking up almost precisely where Incredibles left off, Incredibles 2 spins the somewhat obvious story of the so-called “Supers'” (what super powered beings are called in the Incredibles universe) quest to reestablish their legitimacy in the world – a world that is not at all convinced it needs Supers to save it. Supers have done a lot of damage in the past (and present), have inspired complacency in those they save and have been forced underground, much to the chagrin of Mr. Incredible and his pal Frozone. While much of this ground was covered in the first film, Incredibles 2 makes the case – again – that the world needs Supers.
A mega-rich, mega-powerful brother and sister duo set out to bring the Supers back into the spotlight and to re-legitimize them. In doing so, they select Elastigirl (played most delightfully by a game Holly Hunter) as the poster child of the effort. Research has shown that she was among the most successful Supers considering a number of metrics including bringing the bad guys with little to no property damage. This is a great call by writer/director Brad Bird as the resultant situation created between Elastigirl and Mr. Incredible generates the perfect amount of narrative tension for the film.
Mr. Incredible (voiced by an energetic Craig T. Nelson) in his civilian identity of Bob Parr is left to play Mr. Mom as his wife, Elastigirl (Helen Parr), begins the quest to bring Supers back into the spotlight. Both story lines are enjoyable, though Mr. Incredible’s antics allow the audience to spend time with the two best characters in the film: Incredible son Jack (whose manifesting powers are something to behold) and a feisty raccoon. I would pay to see 90 more minutes of Jack Jack vs. that raccoon. And I would pay to see more of Violet (author Sarah Vowell is an angsty riot) and Dash (Huckleberry Milner) as well. Violet gets a nicely realized coming-of-age story line in the movie and, if Dash is given a bit short shrift, that is okay. He gets his moments, too.
The movie makes a simple but important comment on gender roles as Elastigirl becomes the de facto bread winner while Mr. Incredible has to determine how to run the domestic side of their lives. Neither has it easy and, as one might predict, neither is as successful alone as they might be together.
That message is, in fact, the heart of the movie. The Parr family – the Incredibles – are much more successful together than they are apart. This super powered five-some functions as a unit, if not always a well oiled one, and this dynamic drives the film so much so that one character towards the end of the proceedings notes “you’re a really close family, aren’t you?”.
So they are.
While Incredibles 2 may not soar to the heights of the original film (and, though I understand that this is a kids’ movie, did the denouement have to be so obvious?), it has an exuberance, a joy and a hopefulness that is welcome. We could do worse in 2018 than go to the movies to enjoy the adventures of a family that loves and cares about one another. We could do much worse. Something tells me we will not have to wait until 2032 for Incredibles 3.
p.s. – Disney seems poised to acquire assets from 20th Century Fox which includes rights to the Fantastic Four. Incredibles and Incredibles 2 are the BEST Fantastic Four movies ever. When Marvel, inevitably, goes back to the FF well, it should look to these movies as a template.
INCREDIBLES 2 receives FOUR ANGRY RACCOONS out of a possible FIVE.
And There Came a Day... 