One of My Favorite Superhero Movies

Rating: 9/10 (30 March 2018)

After nearly fifteen years, this movie is still one of Pixar's most outstanding works (in my opinion at least). With numerous superhero films coming out in the 21st century, The Incredibles has stood as one of the most unique superhero movies in history, mainly for how it focuses on a family of superheroes (a real family btw, not a figurative one like Fantastic Four). I personally can't even count the amount of times I've watched this movie I love it so much, but let's see why.
Set in a world where superheroes have been outlawed, former supers Mr. Incredible (Bob Parr) and Elastigirl (Helen Parr) have kept their powers and lives hidden away in suburbia for roughly fifteen years while raising their children, Violet, Dash and Jack Jack who also have super powers. One day, Mr. Incredible gets a call to an island to fight a giant robot, only to discover that it was all a trap planned by Syndrome (formerly Mr. Incredible's biggest fan Buddy Pine) in order to kill Mr. Incredible and all the supers with his killer robot and intelligence. With the help of his family, Mr. Incredible must now stop Syndrome from fulfilling his plans of world domination.
Right off the bat, arguably the best aspect of the entire movie is the relationship between Bob and Helen, as we really see just how living away from public consciousness for so many years has put a toll on them. While Helen tries to adapt, Bob simply can't and wishes he could showcase his true potential once again. As someone who wishes to showcase his true talent to the world one day, I can relate to feeling neglected by society's conformist outlook that celebrates mediocrity. Not to mention, the opening scenes which transition from Bob and Helen playfully flirting to them getting married really does highlight their affectionate bond for one another, which makes their future relation all the more devastating and mature when all hell breaks lose. Given that each member of the Parr family has realistic flaws, like Dash also wanting to let his potential of running kick in, to Violet mostly being a social outcast before having to face the world, there are as many grievances in the family as there is tenderness, which really does make the Parr family one incredible family.
However, another notable accomplishment in the film's own right is the villain Syndrome. Originally an obsessive fan of Mr. Incredible who turned to the dark side once he discovered just how little your idols might actually care for their true believers, Syndrome just might be one of the most ruthless and down right sadistic villains in animation. Ignoring the fact that he wiped out nearly all the superheroes to pretend to be one so people could worship him, the fact that he loathes Mr. Incredible enough to not only want him dead, but that he shows no remorse for what he has done is truly heart wrenching. He does have the occasional fanboy moment (that famous "Got Busy" line still cracks me up), but his callous motivation shows just how much he could care less for anyone, even his own assistant Mirage. Considering we live in an age where die hard fans will go ballistic if their idols do something even slightly off-putting, Syndrome is a brilliant representation of just how blind people can be in their sickening schemes.
This was Pixar's first film to feature an entire human cast, and the way the animators at Pixar pulled them off is truly remarkable. Along with smooth and accurate movements, the characters look like they were designed for traditional animation rather than 3D (makes sense since the director Brad Bird is a CalArts Graduate). Not to mention, the effects animation like water, fire, ice, electricity and explosions, the backgrounds such as the modern looking houses and buildings and the volcanic island Nominisan, and the robot itself known as the Omnidroid are truly stunning to look at, as even the slightest details are worth praising.
The actions scenes are also well choreographed, and it's fun to see how creative the animators got in pulling off ways for the Incredibles to use their powers when needed. CG animation back then was still not quite up to snuff as it is today, making the visuals all the more astonishing while also proving just how many tiresome work hours were spent on crafting and rendering the film. Also, the music score by Michael Giacchino is a delightful and snappy mix of intense 60s style action music and suspenseful dramatic scores, depending on the scene, and it's no wonder Giacchino is still a highly respected film composer today.
Admittedly, the movie does have a few issues, but none that truly detract from the overall quality. For one, the first half of the film spends a little too much time on Mr. Incredible, and then the second half focuses on his family as much as him. While not jarring, it does feel like the film should have spent at least some more time on Dash and Violet to make them a little more memorable. Also, Syndrome's assistant Mirage is responsible for luring Mr. Incredible to the island so he can get killed (let alone the other superheroes), and while she does have a change of heart later on, we never see her again, making her arch feel unfinished (BTW, don't use the comics as an excuse for her appearing later on because that's an adaptation, not the original source). I just think she got off a little too easy, and even though she does help out the main heroes, she still leaves some questions about her past and her presence after the film unresolved.
Nonetheless, The Incredibles still holds up as a well written, fantastically animated, and action-packed superhero movie that puts a unique twist on the genre with a family trying to get back in the swing and a menacing albeit hysterical villain. With a sequel coming in the next two months, it only shows just how passionate Brad Bird was about this film, and it will forever be remembered for years as one of my favorite superhero films of all time.