Predictably safe but effortlessly fun - a moderately worthy sequel to the original

Rating: 8/10 (16 September 2018)

A reliably entertaining and charming sequel - and in many ways, well worth the 14-year long wait.
Sure, it falls short compared to the classic brilliance of the original ; the central conflict and villain(s) aren't as interesting, and the plot plays it safer and more predictable. Much of the sophisticated noir-ish tone - partly what makes the first movie so special - is also sacrificed for a slightly more conventional animated/superhero movie take.
But what may be lacking in narrative heft makes it up for pure, breezy entertainment. Being made 14 years since the original, the animation comes off as spectacular, paying homage to classic '30s superhero capers and vibrant with popping colors and visuals. The brilliantly inventive action sequences themselves are some of the best Pixar has done (the now-iconic raccoon chase and Mrs. Incredible's fight against the Screenslaver) - even rivaling some of the best action in superhero movies nowadays. Director Brad Bird - ever-reliable as an entertaining movie auteur, stages these set-pieces with such a masterful touch that (for the most part), the movie is a pure breeze to go through.
While the movie plays it safe with conventional superhero and family drama tropes, its social commentary regarding media and modern feminism is commendable. And Bird clearly understands the core themes that makes The Incredibles great: the central family dynamics, in which he helms with an effortless grace.
While Incredibles 2 has a lot going against it as a long-awaited follow-up to a classic masterpiece, and while it does fall short against massive expectations, it remains reliable as an animated and superhero film, worthy of the 14-year long wait.