So, Let's bring on THE UNDERMINER already! What are they waiting for?

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2009)

WE REALLY MUST be getting a trifle forgetful as we move along to the upper regions of Middle Age; but I could have sworn that this writer did a review of this some time ago. But, that's why we write things down; for it was either Confucius or Eal Der Biggers (Charlie Chan Mysteries) who said. "Even short pencil better than long memory."
HOWEVER, ALL THAT being water "under the Damn"*, we'll now make a valiant, albeit late attempt to add its name to our "RYAN'S HONOR ROSTER OF FILM."
THE INCREDIBLES(Walt Disney/Pixar Animation Studios/Buena Vista, 2004) comes to the screen after some long decades of having features out of the Adventure Newspaper Comic Strips and right out of the Super Hero Comics Magazines** brought to the movie screens. Whether it was on the Silver Screen of the small electronic one in our homes, made no difference. The likes of FLASH GORDON, BUCK ROGERS,THE PHANTOM,MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN, JUNGLE JIM, SECRET AGENT X9, PRINCE VALIANT, TIM TYYLER'S LUCK, DICK TRACY and SMILIN' JACK came from the pages of Daily and Sunday Newspapers. The less prestigious and little "accepted" field of "Comics Magazines*** contributed the likes of SUPERMAN, CAPTAIN MARVEL, SPY SMASHER, BATMAN, BLACKHAWK, THUNDA, TEX GRANGER, CAPTAIN America, HULK, FANTASTIC FOUR, VIGILANTE, CONGO BILL, PLASTIC MAN, SUB-MARINER, IRON MAN, THOR and your friendly neighborhood SPIDERMAN.
OUR MAIN POINT in making mention of all of these features is in making the point of just how familiar these features are. Because of the truly universal recognition of all these super hero types, the genera is known to about everyone. There is little need for any elaborate origin story. Instead, the production team chose to pick out a couple of common every day problems and foibles of mankind; putting an analytical microscope on the situation and just how a Super Hero family would handle.
THE MOST CARE was used in the visuals (in both the Background "Scenery"; as well as the Character Design. Physical types of the characters and their voices were matched up with the Super Hero's name in order to make the finished product one, cohesive and believable unit; all within the premise of a Super Hero World.
THE CASTING OF VOICE Actors was done to a near perfection. With the playbill headed up by Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Helen Hunter/Elastigirl) and, in an excellent sort of Comic Relief role, Samuel L. Jackson (Lucious Best/Frozone). The cast is rounded out by: Jason Lee, Dominique Louis, Teddy Newton, Jean Sincere, Eli Fucile, Maeve Andrews, Wallace and Spencer Fox; along with an extensive group of supporting players. We had special Guest Star, John Ratzenberger, as 'the Underminer', at the film's conclusion.
MUCH TO OUR amusement, the twin bugaboos of Mother Nature and Father Time are gaged along with the Cartoon Worls's version of just what would happen to Super Heroes with the pre-eminence of out of control civil suits; known as the lack of torte reform in our 3 dimensional Planet Earth.
THE WHOLE FAMILY of Super Powered folks gets into the act and weathers the overall crises with grace and pride in a job well-done. The Producers even do what is right at the end of the adventure; in setting up the premises for a sequel.
C'MON YOU GUYS at Disney and Pixar-let's have the next installment already! It's been 5 whole long years since we were introduced to Mr. Inctedible, his Spouse, Elasti Girl and their offspring. In Hollywood Years, that's almost an Eternity!*
NOTE * Yeah, we know it should be'Water Over the DAM! 'Just kiddin', Folks!
NOTE ** Comics Magazine is really the formal, preferred term. It was the one used by the folks in the industry when they formed the Comics Magazine Association of America; which operated the 'Comics Code Authority', the voluntary, self policing group that left its "seal of approval" on all comics of 'acceptable' content. Of course, we neighborhood guys called 'em just "Comic Books" or even "Joke Books".