Proper popcorn fun, but don't expect too much

Rating: 8/10 (2 August 2018)

14 years is a long time between sequels, and unsurprisingly it's meant that the first Incredibles has - very rightly so - cemented its place as one of the all time animated greats. Living up to that is just never going to work.
Thankfully, The Incredibles 2 doesn't do that, coming across more as an episode in the Parr family story.
It's a lot less nuanced than the original, and the pacing felt needlessly jumpy at points. Fast paced is certainly the right phrase to use, though that certainly didn't stop it from being seriously good fun to watch.
In particular, it's the action scenes that stood out most. They're so fluid and dynamic, and are benefited by fantastic cinematography and sound work. They make up for the predictable story and some of the more forced elements of the film.
In saying that, both of the storylines were balanced well, and tied in well, even if the ending felt rushed. Bob's arc felt more like the comic relief to Helen's classic action hero-esque storyline, though both managed to tread carefully and avoid too many cliches. It's simple, and less interesting than the first one, but it doesn't stop every minute of the film being a lot of fun.
It also doesn't dwell too long on references to the original, a particular strong point in my book. This isn't a whistle-stop nostalgia tour as I had feared it might become. Particularly in the opening scene with the Underminer, the way they just jumped into the action sequence felt so refreshing - straight into the new, never stopping once to reference the old.
Less nuanced and less interesting than the titanic first film, but no less fun to watch. Not so much a sequel, but rather a new installment in The Incredibles story. Perhaps it's that laid back approach that makes it such good fun.