The wait for Disney/Pixar's Incredibles 2 has been unusually long, and pretty much everyone seems to recognize that. Before my screening of the sequel, there was even a brief little message from the cast and crew, thanking the audience for their abundant patience in waiting for this movie. But just how long has it really been? Well, my 6th birthday party was a screening of The Incredibles. This November, I turn 20 years old. So yeah, writer/director Brad Bird and the team at Pixar took their sweet time with this one, waiting well over a decade to make sure they had the right story to bring the Parr family back.
For the generation of kids who grew up breathlessly waiting for a sequel, Bird’s hotly-anticipated follow-up is thankfully a rousing success. This is a fun, fast-paced, and hugely entertaining animated adventure, bolstered by drop-dead gorgeous design work, strong, funny character moments, and the kind of staggering action sequences that are only possible in this medium. But the greatness of Incredibles 2 does come with a few caveats. By picking up so shortly after the original film, Bird can’t avoid some familiar territory, dipping into predictability and a strange feeling of déjà vu from time to time.
This movie is undeniably a blast from start to finish. It also isn’t nearly as good as its predecessor. Both things can be true.
Okay, so remember the end of The Incredibles? We’re picking up right there. The Parr family brought superheroes back into the limelight by defeating Syndrome, and now they’re facing a new threat from the Underminer. Unfortunately, superheroes are still illegal in the eyes of the law, and there’s only so much that hero liaison Rick Dicker (Jonathan Banks) can do to help at this point. He puts the Parr family in a cozy little motel for two weeks, but either Bob/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) or Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) will have to find a job soon to provide for their family.
This story allows for the introduction of plenty of new superheroes, including Voyd (Sophia Bush), Reflux (Paul Eiding), and many more, bringing fresh blood into the Incredibles universe. Despite this level of innovation and fresh energy, Bird makes something of a mistake by linking the narrative so closely to the events of the original film. Incredibles 2 can’t help but feel like a bit of a retread at times, tackling similar subjects and even repeating some beats from the original. Anti-superhero legislation, Violet’s crush on Tony, Jack-Jack’s new powers, the pull between heroic life and actual life- it’s all here again, and it all feels a little less novel this time around. I was wary of this potential familiarity going into the film, and my gut feeling ended up being correct.
Even in this consistently entertaining package, I often found my mind drifting back to the efficiency and brilliance of the setup in the original animated masterpiece. In the first 20 minutes of that movie alone, we’re introduced to Bob and Helen, learn why superheroes are illegal, meet the main antagonist, and understand the basic family dynamic. Both films have nearly identical runtimes, but The Incredibles accomplishes so much more in that framework than its sequel. While I know it’s a slightly unfair comparison, there’s no denying that this is an unfortunate factor working against this film.
But if the novelty factor has worn off, the madcap adventures of the Parrs are still as wildly entertaining as ever. Waiting 14 years to make a sequel does have some benefits, including the assistance of over a decade of advancements in animation quality. The setpieces here have a remarkable sense of fluidity and scope that simply cannot be matched in live-action superhero flicks. Watching Incredibles 2 is like experiencing that brilliant tracking shot from Joss Whedon’s The Avengers over and over again, jumping around to different characters and locales without missing a beat. Even in a movie designed for kids, Bird has delivered eye-popping, heart-pounding action, with some scenes that gloriously work on the IMAX screen.
And beyond these show-stopping elements, Incredibles 2 is just funny, an impeccable blend of hilarious physical comedy and amusing little character touches. We may have learned of Jack-Jack’s powers at the end of the first film, but he steals the show here with his endless array of heroic abilities. It’s also fun to watch Mr. Incredible devolve into a disheveled and unkempt father, completely overwhelmed by the duties of parenthood. Bird’s sharp script is a huge asset, mixing bombastic bits with a satirical look at big business and modern politics. But the film’s overwhelming visual madness ultimately generates the biggest laughs, tickling your funny bone as much as it quickens your pulse.
After all this time, Incredibles 2 could have been a cynical cash-in. Bird could have phoned it in, and I bet most people would have been happy with just seeing these characters again. Lucky for us, he delivered a movie that’s fresh, clever, and visually spectacular, building on the first chapter in enjoyable ways. I can’t help but miss some of the smaller touches of the original, which developed these characters in a brilliant manner that the sequel simply can never match. But even if the story and emotional beats can’t hold a candle to the iconic 2004 film, this joyously exciting reunion with the Parr family is a pure delight.
Images: Disney/IMDb
For the generation of kids who grew up breathlessly waiting for a sequel, Bird’s hotly-anticipated follow-up is thankfully a rousing success. This is a fun, fast-paced, and hugely entertaining animated adventure, bolstered by drop-dead gorgeous design work, strong, funny character moments, and the kind of staggering action sequences that are only possible in this medium. But the greatness of Incredibles 2 does come with a few caveats. By picking up so shortly after the original film, Bird can’t avoid some familiar territory, dipping into predictability and a strange feeling of déjà vu from time to time.
This movie is undeniably a blast from start to finish. It also isn’t nearly as good as its predecessor. Both things can be true.
Okay, so remember the end of The Incredibles? We’re picking up right there. The Parr family brought superheroes back into the limelight by defeating Syndrome, and now they’re facing a new threat from the Underminer. Unfortunately, superheroes are still illegal in the eyes of the law, and there’s only so much that hero liaison Rick Dicker (Jonathan Banks) can do to help at this point. He puts the Parr family in a cozy little motel for two weeks, but either Bob/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) or Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) will have to find a job soon to provide for their family.
This story allows for the introduction of plenty of new superheroes, including Voyd (Sophia Bush), Reflux (Paul Eiding), and many more, bringing fresh blood into the Incredibles universe. Despite this level of innovation and fresh energy, Bird makes something of a mistake by linking the narrative so closely to the events of the original film. Incredibles 2 can’t help but feel like a bit of a retread at times, tackling similar subjects and even repeating some beats from the original. Anti-superhero legislation, Violet’s crush on Tony, Jack-Jack’s new powers, the pull between heroic life and actual life- it’s all here again, and it all feels a little less novel this time around. I was wary of this potential familiarity going into the film, and my gut feeling ended up being correct.
Even in this consistently entertaining package, I often found my mind drifting back to the efficiency and brilliance of the setup in the original animated masterpiece. In the first 20 minutes of that movie alone, we’re introduced to Bob and Helen, learn why superheroes are illegal, meet the main antagonist, and understand the basic family dynamic. Both films have nearly identical runtimes, but The Incredibles accomplishes so much more in that framework than its sequel. While I know it’s a slightly unfair comparison, there’s no denying that this is an unfortunate factor working against this film.
But if the novelty factor has worn off, the madcap adventures of the Parrs are still as wildly entertaining as ever. Waiting 14 years to make a sequel does have some benefits, including the assistance of over a decade of advancements in animation quality. The setpieces here have a remarkable sense of fluidity and scope that simply cannot be matched in live-action superhero flicks. Watching Incredibles 2 is like experiencing that brilliant tracking shot from Joss Whedon’s The Avengers over and over again, jumping around to different characters and locales without missing a beat. Even in a movie designed for kids, Bird has delivered eye-popping, heart-pounding action, with some scenes that gloriously work on the IMAX screen.
And beyond these show-stopping elements, Incredibles 2 is just funny, an impeccable blend of hilarious physical comedy and amusing little character touches. We may have learned of Jack-Jack’s powers at the end of the first film, but he steals the show here with his endless array of heroic abilities. It’s also fun to watch Mr. Incredible devolve into a disheveled and unkempt father, completely overwhelmed by the duties of parenthood. Bird’s sharp script is a huge asset, mixing bombastic bits with a satirical look at big business and modern politics. But the film’s overwhelming visual madness ultimately generates the biggest laughs, tickling your funny bone as much as it quickens your pulse.
After all this time, Incredibles 2 could have been a cynical cash-in. Bird could have phoned it in, and I bet most people would have been happy with just seeing these characters again. Lucky for us, he delivered a movie that’s fresh, clever, and visually spectacular, building on the first chapter in enjoyable ways. I can’t help but miss some of the smaller touches of the original, which developed these characters in a brilliant manner that the sequel simply can never match. But even if the story and emotional beats can’t hold a candle to the iconic 2004 film, this joyously exciting reunion with the Parr family is a pure delight.
THE FINAL GRADE: B+ (7.8/10)
Images: Disney/IMDb
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