The view from a comic book reader

Rating: 10/10 (20 March 2005)

This is probably the second best superhero movie made so far (the first being Spider-Man II). It brings to everyone's attention many of the real-world concerns that superheroes share with us, as well as, how hard it is to simply fit in with us.
The movie did all the right things for both comic book readers like myself and those who know little or nothing of the world of costumed crusaders.
In particular, the funniest part of the movie dealt with an in joke for comic readers--capes. When I grew up ALL superheroes had insignias on their chests and capes. To have Edna totally run the idea of capes into the ground was hilarious.
The most incredible part of the movie to me was an in joke. However, I have yet to hear anyone mention it, but it seemed clear to me. At the beginning of the movie a small boy approaches Mr. Incredible and want to be his sidekick. The small boy has freckles and orange-red hair and is very persistent. This boy has to be none other than a thinly veiled Jimmy Olsen (Superman's Pal). When this orange-haired boy becomes Syndrome, he wears a large "S" on his body (Superman?). His orange hair is now flame-like (anger?). One could look at the confrontation between Syndrome and Mr. Incredible as a struggle (played out many times in DC comics) between Jimmy Olsen and Superman (often based on Jimmy's jealousy and second-fiddle treatment). Many times Jimmy somehow gained superhero-type powers and came into conflict with Supes.
Great film.