A flawlessly executed movie! *selected containing spoilers warning for precaution*

Rating: 9/10 (29 March 2005)

As many critics have pointed out, The Incredibles does not have an original storyline but is rather a combination of ideas and experiments throughout underground cinema history. Some even goes as far as to devalue its worth. However, considering that movies have been directed and produced for decades, it is not fair to argue originality when the sad fact is that the well of originality as been sucked dry a long time ago. This is not to say that The Incredibles did not have their moments of originality, because it had its moments (many moments to be fair) as well as something else that merits more than the desire to be something new.
As far as visuals go, Pixar once again reminds us just why they are the reigning champions of animation. Taking the world of animated movies by storm with their debut major film, Toy Story. With the beautifully rendered textures and visual effects (especially that of the fire and water scenes) the audience is again left wondering the thin line between virtual and reality. Incredibles, like its predecessors continues to boasts its accomplishments in the digital world, creating everything from rippling shades on costumes to the unshaven specks on Mr. Incredible's face. The only flaw in terms of animation is that on few occasions the lip-sync of the characters and the voicing is slightly off tempo.
Regarding, Brad Bird has certainly put today's movies to shame. With a world of infinite possibilities in the animation realm, Bird unleashes his pent up imagination, an imagination overlooked with the underrated Iron Giant. What Brad Bird has given us is something that few movies, animated or live-action, have today is something we call execution. It is true that it wasn't original, but it was directed to perfection with a completely believable plot. It was a balanced mix of clean comedy, family values, drama, action, visual effects, and social morals. With a jazzy soundtrack and classic looks as well as drooling visuals and fast paced action that appeals to both the old and young. Pixar must also be congratulated in maintaining a humor level appropriate for children in a world where crudeness seems to be the solution for box office hits. What Bird has done is deliver us an animated movie with perfect settings, the perfect voice cast, appropriate soundtracks, balanced drama, comedy, and action, and character development and balance as well. Though some may argue that in developing some of the characters, Bird had slowed the movie's pace, it is only in these tender moments that we can truly develop a character. Be honest with yourself, when was the last time you saw a movie not produced by Pixar/Disney or Dreamworks where you remember someone that wasn't the main character. The fact that so many reviews mentioned Frozone and Edna Mode is proof positive of Pixar's unique accomplishment.
In terms of themes, like many have stated before, with the leadership of outsider Brad Bird, this movie has taken a departure of the usually "happily ever after" or "cute and fuzzy" themes that Disney and Pixar normally follows, nor the superhero immortality that comics usually have. This movie was darker, dealing with issues of oppression and conformity while putting the very people we idolize in situations of life or death. No longer is it Joker trying to capture Batman to drive him to death with bad jokes but rather ordinary mercenaries truly out to kill our beloved heroes, adult or child. It talks about the greediness and callous attitudes of today's corporations who would do anything to earn the buck as well as the nonsense philosophy of giving everyone trophies in a contest so the losers will feel better about themselves. It shows the bitterness in the oppressed soul, whether it be a middle aged man forced into mediocrity as a sales person or a child unable to do his best, either out of fear of prosecution or the constraints of his or her parents. Yet, despite these dark themes, Pixar achieves a rare balance of a darker movie that still has the elements that appeals to children of all ages. With a comedy clean enough for kids and humor mature enough for teenagers, Bird and Pixar succeeds in finding a successful happy medium for humans of all ages.
The Incredibles is a brilliantly executed piece of cinema that the entire family can genuinely enjoy. With the mold of a typical family (minus their superpowers) thrust in a cruel and greedy world, this is a movie that even our beer guzzling, football watching fathers would approve of. While not exactly breaking new grounds of originality, The Incredibles holds its own and stands tall in its own uniqueness with a perfect balance of the original James Bonds and its accurate observation of today's ruthless society.