"I never look backit distracts from the now"

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2014)

The Pixar Studios, which cannot seem to take a wrong step, steps right again with "The Incredibles," a superhero spoof that alternates breakneck action with satire of suburban sitcom life. Here's another example of Pixar's mastery of popular animation.
Mr. Incredible, the hero of "The Incredibles," is a superhero in the traditional 1950s mold, dashing about town fighting crime and saving the lives of endangered civilians. Alas, the populace is not unanimously grateful, and he's faced with so many lawsuits for unlawful rescue and inadvertent side-effects that he's forced to retire. Under the government's Superhero Relocation Program, Mr. Incredible moves to the suburbs, joined by his wife Elastigirl and their children Violet, Dashiell and little Jack Jack.
One day, however, he gets a message from a woman named Mirage. She has a lot of superhero duties to do, and he agrees to do it without letting his family know. But things go array when it turns out Mirage wasn't the one behind the superhero duties; but her employer, a villain named Syndrome, who a childhood obsession with Mr. Incredible, but now wants to destroy him due to what Mr. Incredible did to him in the past. Syndrome also wants to destroy all superheroes, then make himself a hero through any means necessary.
On the surface, "The Incredibles" is a goof on superhero comics. Underneath, it's a critique of modern American uniformity. Mr. Incredible is forced to retire, not because of age or obsolescence, but because of trial lawyers seeking damages for his unsolicited good deeds; he's in the same position as the Boy Scout who helps the little old lady across the street when she doesn't want to go. What his society needs is not super-deeds but tort reform. "They keep finding new ways," he sighs, "to celebrate mediocrity."
Anyone who has seen a Bond movie will make the connection between Syndrome's island hideout and the headquarters of various Bond villains. "The Incredibles" also has a character inspired by Q, Bond's gadget-master. This is Edna Mode, known as E and voiced by Brad Bird, who also wrote and directed. She's a horn-rimmed little genius who delivers a hilarious lecture on the reasons why Mr. Incredible does not want a cape on his new uniform; capes can be as treacherous.
The Incredibles," too, has special qualities, especially in the subtle ways it observes its gifted characters trying to dumb down and join the crowd. Kids in the audience will likely miss that level, but will like the exuberance of characters like Dash. Grown-ups are likely to be surprised by how smart the movie is, and how sneakily perceptive.
The highlight, and strongest point of the movie, is in the last third where we see The Incredibles team up to defeat Syndrome and his evil plan. Not only are the powers used to the maximum potential, but the climax is a lot of fun. It's action packed, well done, and very entertaining. It's a unique superhero movie because it focuses on the family rather than just one superhero. And the family is unique; the kids are energized, the parents are well written, and what they're going through is relatable (even in the world they live in). Not only do I consider this one of my favorite animated films ever, but also one of my favorite superhero movies ever. It's a must-watch.