Brad Bird is the Steven Spielberg of animation

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2004)

Brad Bird directed my all-time-favourite animated feature The Iron Giant; one of the most criminally underrated films ever. So for me expectation was extremely high for this, his second feature. Opting for computer animation over hand drawings and working with Pixar studios for the first time, I wondered if he could repeat the magic. He has. As far as I'm concerned, Brad Bird is now the Steven Spielberg of animation. It may be premature to say this after one viewing, but I think its Pixar's greatest picture to date, better even than Toy Story 2.
The story is far too good to spoil but I will reveal this much. Superheroes have become outlawed through a series of lawsuits. Mr Incredible and his superhero wife Elastigirl had to enter a witness protection programme to hide their secret identities. Mr Incredible now holds down a boring office job in an insurance company and has three children, all of whom have powers but are forbidden to use them. Suffice to say this leads to a hilarious and poignant home life full of domestic difficulties and Mr Incredible begins to long for the good old days of superhero exploits.
The bittersweet early scenes soon give way to a full-on action adventure, and this is the point where I redundantly mention how staggering the animation is, because no amount of description can do it justice. It is beautifully rendered making tremendous use of widescreen space. The witty, sophisticated screenplay has an informed knowledge of comic book lore without once resorting to the cheap, self conscious spoof so common in similar works. Instead, it has the courage to play it fairly straight, which gives the story great emotional resonance. That's not to say it isn't funny. It's frequently hilarious; one inspired gag involving capes is especially amusing and a vocal cameo from Brad Bird himself as a luvvie fashion designer is guaranteed to bring the house down. The most knowing line comes from the villain, who having captured Mr Incredible starts explaining his master plan before realising what he's doing: 'I can't believe you've got me monologuing!'
One of Bird's favourite films is obviously the 1950's version of The War of the Worlds, as both The Iron Giant and The Incredibles feature huge robots which are an obvious homage to said film. It also has the coolest 'baddies base' I've ever seen, even outstripping You Only Live Twice. Speaking of James Bond, Michael Giacchino's John Barryesque music score is outstanding, and very reminiscent of the classic 1960's Bond films. The vocal talents are all excellent; Craig T Nelson as Mr Incredible, Holly Hunter as Elastigirl and especially Samuel L Jackson as friend of the family superhero Frozone. Even the end credits are wonderfully stylish. Above all, this is one film that must be seen on a big screen. Even the most 'stay-at-home-and-wait-for-the-video' among you should make an exception (you know who you are!).
Some critics have carped that the mega-action climax is overkill and that the film is too long. Personally, I thought the finale appropriately loud and exciting and whilst it is longer than normal (120 minutes is unusual for a cartoon feature), it never outstays its welcome. In short, this is the best animated film of the year, the best family film of the year and the most out and out fun film of the year.
Oh, and for those poor unfortunates among you who haven't seen The Iron Giant yet, buy or rent the DVD and watch that too!