Incredible.

Rating: 10/10 (13 November 2004)

Mr. Incredible is a superhero that got sued by dozens of people after causing havoc in a city. He and his Newly-wed wife Elastigirl are forced to make their secret identities their only identity. 3 years later, they are now settled in a new home with 3 children, all of which have superpowers. Violet can turn invisible and make forcefields (or shields. Whatever). Dash can run very, very fast. But their not so sure about their baby yet. Mr. Incredible is umber-strong and can lift huge trucks or just about anything. Elastigirl can stretch far and wide. All of which make for a unique and interesting family.
Brad Bird, the writer and director of another favorite, The Iron Giant, also writes and directs the film. While I was quite surprised that the usual Pixar team wasn't writing the film (hell, throw in Joss Whedon too), Brad Bird was able to handle the film pretty well and knows his stuff. The movie doesn't have any cheesy, "I love you family," type of speeches that becomes quite awkward for the audience to watch and doesn't leave any eyes rolling. Bird knows how to handle each scene and doesn't chicken out on anything.
While the first hour or so isn't as funny and gets uninteresting in some parts, the rest of the film makes up for it. The animation is amazing. I was quite unsure how Pixar would be able to handle an animated film with human beings as their characters, but there's no need to worry. The design of the characters are flawless. The jungle and underwater scenes are handled very carefully and the result is magnificent. Dash running around in the island and the jet explosion was one of the most impressive things I've seen this year.
All of the character's powers are shown in outstanding detail but never becomes forced or feel that the creators showing off their visuals. And while his powers are only shown at the climax of the film, Frozone sliding at his ice thingy is outstanding. Same goes for Elastigirl, who we once see jumping around buildings. All of the action scenes are very, very impressive. The jet exploding, those circle blade thingys chasing Dash and blowing up and the ending are astounding. And the lack of action in the beginning doesn't become a problem at all.
Brad Bird never forgets the characters and excellently develops all of them. Instead of going with the action and developing characters along the way, the big trouble doesn't even start until the audience knows each character well enough to care about them. None of them are left behind and gets to do at least something important. All of the voice work are excellent and makes the characters believable and often times hilarious. But still, Ellen DeGeneres as Dory is tough to beat.
The Incredibles is quite different from all the other soon-to-be-classic-films that Pixar made. It has a different feel that I can't really explain. It doesn't have many kiddy moments and was shot in 2.35:1 aspect ratio (besides the usual 1.85:1 flat). It's more mature than all the others and the villains actually get killed in explosions etc. It's not as funny as the Toy Story movies or Finding Nemo, but The Incredibles is just as great and sits comfortably among them, just waiting to be a classic. One of the year's best and most impressive films.
9.0