With great power comes great fun (finally!)

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2004)

For decades the predominant theme of the superhero universe is that possessing super powers is an angst-ridden burden fraught with eternal peril, lack of remuneration, and worst of all, an ungrateful public. The Marvel pantheon has promulgated that realistic but dispiriting notion through almost all its characters (notably the Hulk, Spiderman, the Thing, and especially the X-Men) to such a pervasive degree that DC Comics, home to the uplifting "god" Superman, had to follow suit. Superman, formerly invincible and infallible, also became lacerated with multiple vulnerabilities, inhibitions, and doubts. Again, this realistic approach is compelling and not a minor contributor to "Spiderman"'s and "Spiderman 2"'s success. But c'mon, if you had a super power, ANY super power, wouldn't you go to town?
"The Incredibles" answers this question with an exuberant "yes!". I will not dwell upon the movies many immaculate virtues, since other posters have already done a thorough job of that. I wish to emphasize that "The Incredibles" succeeds to a large degree by inverting the above-mentioned Marvel superhero theory and "regressing" back to the 50's and 60's and reminding us that, in the final analysis, being a superhero is @#$%^ great. Bob Parr (aka. Mr. Incredible) revels in his abilities and his responsibility to humanity. Unlike with Spiderman, et. al., his powers are not a curse but an unadulterated blessing and his raison d'etre. Unlike Spiderman, et. al. he does not want to be a normal member of the hoi polloi herd, to be equal to them. He wants to be, and is, different, and better. That's why his speedster son Dash (a.k.a. Dashiel's) remark that "when everyone is special, no one is" resonates and does Mr. Incredible's astounded reaction to the requirement to have a 4th grade graduation. Mr. Incredible was atrophying in Conformityville; to survive, he had to put on the tights.
"The Incredibles" is thus not a scathing satire of superheroes, save for a few jabs at Mr. Incredible's spare tire, and Ms. Mode's expostulation and montage on the dangerous absurdity of cape (which Syndrome apparently did not hear or heed by the way). It treats them with respect, and not just Mr. Incredible. As the movie unfolds, it progresses from a stately (perhaps slow) state of domesticity and family to a crescendo of Action with a capital A. The movie is a burgeoning breath of freedom. Of course, "The Incredibles" just acknowledge and juxtapose super heroism with reality (at least the reality of tortuous lawsuits, oppressive "Dilbertseque" corporate workplaces, and the unpleasantness of adolescence through Dash and Violet). But throughout the movie, it gloriously breaks free, and so do Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Dash, and Violet!
The only "flaw" I could perceive in "The Incredibles" is its somewhat derivative nature and amalgamated blend of every superhero, James Bond, Spy Kids, and Powerpuff Girls movie and episode ever made. Good for the movie! I eagerly await the family's next adventure and perhaps the obligatory "origin stories". I know it will continue to keep the proceedings fun.
A few random observations:
1. Mr. Incredible has his foibles (his expanded abdomen, his initial neglect of his family, and his occasional Buzz Lightyearesque imperiousness), but he is no buffoon and no joke by any stretch of the imagination. His family is recognizably human but quite laudable.
2. In an early scene in the movie, just before Mr. Incredible in his younger days confronts Bomb Voyage, the illumination hitting his old suit makes him look like Green Lantern.
3. The Omnidroids Mr. Incredible and family battle resemble a cross between Dr. Octopus's tentacles and a bathysphere.
4. Brad Bird must be a Fantastic Four fan!
5. Evangelical Christians will probably be aghast at Baby Jack-Jack's climactic encounter with Syndrome (which got the loudest cheer from the audience I was involved in).
6. Though spawned by frustrated geeky fan-boy aspirations, I thought Syndrome made a formidable and even occasionally sympathetic villain, channeling the Joker and an evil Mask (as well as, ahem, Heat Miser of course).
7. One cannot trademark a superpower.
8. I wonder if Marvel will contract with Pixar to do a comic rendition of "The Incredibles".
9. Apparently Mr. Incredible possesses strength in the "Class 100" range, easily able to bench over 100 tons. But does he possess other powers. He cannot fly under his own power, but is he invulnerable, have optic and auditory powers, etc.? What are the extent of his family's abilities.
10. I'm glad the Parr's did not have a super-powered pooch or other pet a la Krypto, unless that comes up in the sequel.
11. The PG rating is warranted. Pre-preteeners will find the movie by turns a bit too intense and slow-going, as the occasional infantile whines in my movie audience can attest to. Savvy adults and older teenagers will probably enjoy the movie the most!
12. Despite Bush's re-election, "The Incredibles" may signal the advent of a new age, where superherodom is a serious business, but also such a rush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall rating, by the way: 9.5! :D