Fantastic

Rating: 9/10 (22 August 2018)

A sequel to one of Pixar's most beloved films, Incredibles 2 delivers in almost every way - and even when it falters, you're having too much fun to notice.
Pixar's track record with sequels is somewhat mixed. In the case of Toy Story, the trilogy has proved a resounding success. With the likes of Finding Dory, however, the result proved somewhat lacklustre, and the less said about Cars 2 the better. Learning that Disney planned a sequel to the hugely popular Incredibles (14 years after its original release), I approached it with a slight skepticism. Would the characters be able to bear the weight of a sequel? Could they maintain the stylish and fresh atmosphere of the original? Would the film collapse under its own hype, leaving everyone extremely disappointed? Yet, as soon as Michael Giacchino's classic score roared into the cinema, my fears were soon put to rest.
Following directly on from the events of the first film, Incredibles 2 picks up with the Underminer's attack on the Metroville Bank. The sequence, perhaps one of the finest action scenes in animation history, is dizzyingly fun, giving each of the family a chance to showcase the superpowers that we all know and love (save perhaps Jack-Jack, but more on that later). After this, the main plot kicks in, with Bob, Helen and Frozone recruited by a business tycoon hoping to make superheroes legal once again. What follows sees a twist to the original, with Elastagirl taking on the crime-fighting responsibilities, with Bob left at home to deal with Violet's mood swings, Dash's homework - and the discovery of Jack-Jack's many, MANY powers.
If there is one true strength to the film, Incredibles 2 is constantly hilarious. Whether it be a set-piece battle between Jack-Jack and a racoon (a real highlight) or just throw-away lines, the script maintains an energy and buoyancy throughout. The film, as one would expect, is beautifully animated, and highlights a clear technological advancement since it's predecessor. It's hard to imagine some of the impressive showdowns of super-heroics in the final act to be carried out with the same gravitas back in 2004. Indeed, this sequel has advanced with the modern world in a number of ways, with Elastagirl's more central role fully embracing female empowerment. The film is not inherently political, but rather embraces more current sensibilities, even within it's 60s-inspired narrative framework.
If there is one gripe that I had with the film, then it's the villain. The Screenslaver lacks the particular menace or motivations in the early section of the film, and their true identity (which I will not divulge here) is somewhat expected. This is particularly infuriating in comparison to Syndrome, Mr. Incredible's "Number One Fan" from the original, who had considerable depth and a strong personal connection to Bob. But it's hard to let this detail drag you down when the rest of the cast is so strong. Craig T. Nelson brings incredible comic potential to Mr. Incredible, while Holly Hunter provides a grounded and relatable presence. The return of Edna Mode is always welcome, and Jack-Jack steals absolutely every scene that he's in.
Witty, fast-paced and surprisingly relevant, Incredibles 2 is a worthy sequel to its classic counterpart, and proves that good things really do come to those who wait. Even if it's 14 years.