Pixar fights crime and comes out on top

Rating: Null/10 (18 November 2004)

There is something about Pixar that puts them above all the rest. As much as I loved the two "Shrek" films, Pixar just seems to bring things to a different level that puts Dreamworks feeling envious. "The Incredibles" is not only about being a superhero, it's about how to deal with the hazards of being a superhero, esp. when you no longer can carry out the task. Bob Parr is Mr Incredible, and when a mishap leads to the courts ridding the world of superheros, Bob must take an ordinary day job pushing pencils. He's married to Elastigirl and they have 3 kids who are just learning their powers.
Fifteen years have passed and Bob is getting a bit itchy. He's bored with his work and wants to fight crime again. After being lured into a case, Bob realizes that the whole thing is a set-up and part of a devious plan to take over the world and to create a new super human race. It's always about that, isn't it.
The movie plays out as sort of an animated Bond movie, with evil female henchman, giant rocket ships, secret island hide-outs, and the music is very retro. It looks great. All the characters are shot very cartoon-like so it would play out to a wide audience and not just an animated action film. It's very funny in places esp. a montage of all the mishaps of why superheros shouldn't wear a cape. That's great stuff.
If the movie has any flaws is that it's too long and drags in many places. A good editing job couldn't hurt. But the movie works in many ways and credit Brad Bird who made the under-appreciated film, "Iron Giant" for bringing these fun characters to life. (***1/2)