Incredibles 2 Packs an Action Punch, but Lacks the Original's Creative Spark

Rating: 7/10 (31 July 2018)

Since 2010, Pixar, the one-time CG animation juggernaut, has been crippled by the sequel bug. The studio that for a solid decade plus made nothing but modern classics, has in recent years strained to imitate the formula that launched them into the animation stratosphere in 1995. The result of this effort? Sequels to nearly all of their most beloved films. Their latest, and possibly most anticipated, is Incredibles 2. The original Incredibles is one of the five most influential movies of my childhood, and a perfect action movie in its own right, yet I was firmly in the minority when it came to the possible sequel. I didn't want one, and I suspect its writer and director Brad Bird didn't either. Because after a 14-year hiatus, The Incredibles sequel arrives with all the action and humor of the original, but none of its passion.
Incredibles 2 begins immediately where The Incredibles ended; with The Underminer on the verge of a high-profile bank heist, and the newly assembled Incredibles ready to take him down. After that rousing introductory action scene, we are introduced to our new characters, Evelyn and Winston Deavor (Catherine Keener and Bob Odenkirk), a brother and sister duo determined to legalize "supers". To do this, they recruit Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and Frozone, to take on a publicity tour of sorts, and create goodwill among the people. Elastigirl is given the biggest spotlight, leaving her husband at home with the superkids. So the story goes, with Helen Parr performing grand acts of heroism while tracking down the mysterious Screenslaver, and Bob struggling to keep up at home. Throw in a handful of quirky new superheroes, and some spy thriller elements, and you have a plot that differs enough from the first film, but never does quite enough to justify itself as a natural continuation of the story. The Screenslaver is an interesting villain, and the mystery plot unfolds in relatively surprising ways, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this story was simply one of hundreds of possible exploits for the Incredible family. It pulls you in, but only as much as a new episode of your favorite TV show might. For me, that was plenty, but for fans feverish over where the series might head, it may be a disappointment.
Incredibles 2 matches the first film in most important measures. Particularly the action and pacing that made The Incredibles so much more than just another cartoon. Despite directing only two or three films that can be considered "action movies", Brad Bird has managed to position himself as one of the great action directors working. His work on Incredibles 2 once again proves why. Through several impossibly complex set-pieces, including an exceptional train rescue, Bird uses animation and action together like the maestro he is celebrated as. Because he's working within an animated comic book world, these action scenes always have something new up their sleeves. The various superpowers are utilized so deftly that it makes the Marvel and DC movies look like they're not even trying. Animation liberates great filmmakers, and if you needed more evidence that Brad Bird is indeed a great filmmaker, the truly rousing action scenes in Incredibles 2 should put that to bed. The film is also remarkably well paced. There are two distinctly different stories going on simultaneously, one a taut thriller and the other a family comedy, and it doesn't feel as if either is given too much or too little attention. That means the film moves steadily and purposefully, but still allows for laugh breaks and breathers. That doesn't mean both story threads are equally good, though. The home life stuff starts off as a pointedly funny look at superpowered parenting, before becoming a hit or miss sitcom by the end. If you like baby noises, boy is this for you! Me? I found Jack Jack's antics (involving his increasing number of powers) annoying. Baby giggles are low hanging fruit for a sequel whose predecessor was so naturally, and confidently clever in its humor. I was also struck by how off line the voice performances were. Craig T. Nelson sounds totally disinterested throughout, and the supporting characters are always pushing a little too hard for a laugh. Holly Hunter is the only one to recapture the casually natural sound that made the first movie special.
It all leads back to my initial hypothesis. I don't think Brad Bird really wanted to make this movie. Why else for the 14-year gap? It's not as if the script connected to the first in any meaningful way, or broke any new ground. It's simply a hunk of meat, thrown to the fans to shut them up. And at the same time, it's really good. Bird is the key player. He's a great filmmaker, and he keeps Incredibles 2 lively and fun. So a few gags failed to land, so what? The film works. The action scenes pop off the screen, the story moves along briskly, and there are good, hardy laughs along the way. You can't recapture lightning in a bottle. Incredibles 2 doesn't. But in terms of sequels, I can live with something that entertains and thrills heartily, even if it doesn't meet the original's passion.
76/100