While plenty of entries from Marvel and DC have hit theaters over the past 14 years, I always thought that the original Incredibles held up well as one of the best superhero movies ever made. Unlike its counterparts, at its core, the film is about family. It’s a distinct advantage and the highly anticipated sequel capitalizes on the that dynamic while exploring some more topical themes as well. It’s why the film resonated so strongly with audiences right away and opened to the tune of $180-million domestic box office, the biggest opening for an animated film and the eighth highest opening weekend for any film. Incredibles 2 is more than just a good sequel, it’s a great summer movie.
The second installment picks up right where the original left off…like…exactly where the Underminer surfaces after the Parr family defeated Syndrome and the Omnidroid. If you haven’t seen the first film, the cold open in the follow-up gets you into the swing of things without making you feel left out. This time around the family must deal with role reversal as Elastigirl takes the lead and Mr. Incredible becomes a stay at home dad. The world is still on the fence about “Supers” and several interested parties have a stake in whether or not hero-work remains illegal.
One of the most charming elements of the original was its retro-futurist style…very Bond-esque. The sequel didn’t stray from that and continued to blend a 50s aesthetic with geeky high-end technology. Production Designer Ralph Eggleston and Art Director Josh Holtsclaw clearly drew inspiration from the real world and designed some incredible digital set pieces. The family’s new home was awe inspiring in and of itself. Much more of this film takes place directly in Metroville, so we got to see a more inclusive view of these characters’ world and some of the other heroes who occupy it. The environment is visually stunning, which goes without saying for modern animated films, but the art department did a spectacular job marrying all the finely grained elements.
All the things we loved about the family the first time around are more refined. The individual relationships between the characters are already in place, allowing the “family” aspect to function more fluidly and the sequel isn’t nearly as heavy emotionally as its predecessor. There’s no turmoil surrounding Mr. Incredible’s crippling depression at his desk job, no questions about the precarious nature of his marriage and no journey of self discovery for the kids. However, watching them all work together and how much they enjoy it is a blast to watch. Aside from the first Avengers, I’d be hard pressed to think of another group of heroes who were as fun to watch together.
Even though it’s been a long time, the cast didn’t skip a beat. Granted a lot of their lines were probably recorded individually, it’s easy to recognize that Holly Hunter (Elastigirl), Craig T. Nelson (Mr. Incredible), Sarah Vowell (Violet) and Huck Milner (Dash) truly have fun playing their roles. I think the same can be said for Sam Jackson who reprised his role as Frozone, as did Writer/Director Brad Bird who voiced the eccentric costume designer Edna Mode. When the cast gets along and works well together, it’s much easier for the audience to fall in line and do the same.
Speaking of the man behind the curtain, Bird upped the ante when it came to action. At nearly two hours, the runtime is on par with that of the original but the pace is pushed much harder. We’re immediately thrown into it and he crafted some very creative sequences to feature how the family uses their powers and teamwork to get the job done. The dialogue between them is just as quick, helping to paint the picture of a loving family in transition. It’s certainly one the film’s defining qualities but so is the humor in the script. I think a lot of recent superhero flicks have tried to inject jokes where they weren’t needed, but that’s not the case here. Incredibles 2 succeeds, and even thrives, on its sense of humor but a good amount of that is physical. It may sound strange to say that in regards to an animated film, but Bird wrote some wonderfully hilarious sequences which the animators brought to life brilliantly.
Mayhar Abousaeedi had worked on numerous animated features before but had only served as cinematographer on The Good Dinosaur, so taking a prized commodity like the Incredibles sequel was a big step up. With all the craziness going on, he had a good handle on what we needed to see and how to get us looking in the right direction. Even with the best visuals, no great superhero film is complete without iconic original music. Batman, Superman, Avengers…they all have it and Michael Giacchino’s score deserves to be recognized as one of those great works. It too has a retro-futurist tone and plays on classic spy movies to build out its identity.
There isn’t really anything negative to say about this movie. You just take your seat, shovel popcorn into your face and enjoy the ride. Sure, if you can read between the lines, the surprise you’re waiting for is fairly predictable long before it surfaces. And it’s mostly devoid of the emotional core that drove the original, but in a crowded superhero market it might just be easier to go with the flow. It doesn’t lack heart, but it’s definitely less risky than the first. Incredibles 2 is still great bit of fun, even if it didn’t dig quite as deep the original.
Recommendation: Most people who wanted to see this film probably have already, but for those of you who were on the fence…it’s definitely worth the price of admission. It’s funny and action packed while still having a heart. It’s the perfect summer blockbuster and I’d be happy to go see it again, and that’s the highest praise I can give.