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| Courtesy of Disney-Pixar |
So, was Incredibles 2 worth the wait? Depends on your perspective, I suppose. Because the original is one of my favorites from the studio, I went in with moderate expectations, assuming there was no way it could live up to more than a decade of hype. As a result, I walked out of the theater two hours later with my heart pounding and a big smile on my face.
No, it isn’t as good as the original – but it’s far closer than I would’ve predicted. Honestly, compared to Pixar’s most lackluster sequels (the dreadful Cars 2 and the unnecessary Monsters University) it’s practically a masterpiece. What it lacks in narrative one-upmanship it makes up for with its stunning animation. Technology has advanced exponentially since the early 2000s and writer-director Brad Bird takes full advantage of the progress. Several action sequences are quite literally jaw-dropping.
Picking up immediately where the original ended, Incredibles 2 finds the Parr family rejuvenated by the chance to use their superpowers as a team. But after the initial rush of victory wears off, frustration sinks in as they realize the world still fears them and uses government bureaucracy to force them back into hiding.
However, when two corporate siblings (Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener) devise a shrewd marketing strategy to get superheroes some positive press, they recruit Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) to be the program’s guinea pig. That means Bob/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) must swallow his pride and be a stay-at-home dad to Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile).
It’s not an easy task, so Bob gets help from some old friends Lucius/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) and superhero costume designer Edna Mode (Bird). However, when a new villain emerges with a plan to get rid of superheroes permanently, the family must suit up once again to save the day.
The original film hit theaters just as the modern trend of superhero flicks was establishing itself, so its paradoxical retro-futurist style was a breath of fresh air that came along at the perfect time. A decade and a half later, Incredibles 2 arrives after viewers have spent years consuming a steady diet of comic book flicks and television shows, meaning they’ve developed an inherent knowledge of genre tropes. They also know how to deconstruct them thanks to the massive success of the Deadpool franchise.
As a result, while Incredibles 2 isn’t as innovative as the first movie, it succeeds in a genre that has a much higher degree of difficulty than it used to. I especially liked that the stakes remain mostly personal. Yes, the climax involves a runaway ship headed straight for a city port, but that’s still relatively small-scale compared to recent benchmarks like a villain who wants to wipe out half the universe (Avengers: Infinity War) or a time-traveling vigilante devoted to murdering a troubled child (Deadpool 2).
In addition, the story is intricately layered so there are plenty of elements to analyze upon subsequent viewings. The film has a terrific message about parenting in the current age and subtle metaphors about modern gender roles without ever getting preachy or overtly political about it.
I also appreciated that Pixar decided to take a break from ripping viewers’ hearts out of their chests (Coco, Finding Dory, Inside Out, Up, Toy Story 3, etc.) and focus on sheer thrills and entertainment. That’s particularly true when it comes to little Jack-Jack, who discovered his superpowers in the original’s finale.
He is, without question, the clear standout this time around. Every scene he’s in is hilarious and adorable, particularly his riotous encounter with a hungry raccoon. To elaborate further would spoil one of the best movie moments of 2018.
Incredibles 2 doesn’t need critics’ help to become a box office behemoth. It’s probably going to smash records and make all of the money. Still, it’s fun when both financial success and critical acclaim match up. There aren’t many opportunities to make everyone happy these days, so we should enjoy it while it last.
Incredibles 2 is rated PG for action sequences and brief mild language.
Grade: B+
Incredibles 2 doesn’t need critics’ help to become a box office behemoth. It’s probably going to smash records and make all of the money. Still, it’s fun when both financial success and critical acclaim match up. There aren’t many opportunities to make everyone happy these days, so we should enjoy it while it last.
Incredibles 2 is rated PG for action sequences and brief mild language.
Grade: B+
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