Up Up And Away

Rating: Null/10 (19 January 2006)

Hugely enjoyable. Now, as I am a Class A certifiable dyed-in-the-wool comic-book geek who wears his ceremonial anorak with pride, this should come as no surprise. The Geek in me appreciates the reverential nods, in plot and characterisation, to the 1960s Lee & Kirby run of 'The Fantastic Four', Alan Moore's 'Watchmen' and 'Miracleman' and Brian Michael Bendis's 'Powers', but these are secondary to a sharp, funny script, well rounded sympathetic characters. Kids will love it, as there's plenty of colour action and slapstick, but the film is knowingly aimed at a more mature audience: the heroes are a dysfunctional family with genuine problems and aspirations. That they wear spandex and fight giant robots is just an added bonus.
That 'The Incredibles' should work on so many elements should also be no surprise. director and writer Brad Bird was also responsible for the splendid and underrated 'The Iron Giant', based (albeit loosely) on Ted Hughes 'The Iron Man'. Rent this film. Now. It has more heart than a hundred cynical 'Shreks'. Also  and this is most odd in a mainstream studio animation  Bird is listed in the credits as the sole scriptwriter. When was the last time you saw an animated studio movie without half a dozen, or more, names on script? 'The Incredibles' is one man's vision, not a compote of committee-led compromise. It works.