Vulcan Stev family movie review: The Incredibles

Starring:
Craig T. Nelson …  Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible
Holly Hunter …  Helen Parr / Elastigirl
Samuel L. Jackson …  Lucius Best / Frozone
Jason Lee …  Buddy Pine / Syndrome
Dominique Louis …  Bomb Voyage
Teddy Newton …  Newsreel Narrator
Jean Sincere …  Mrs. Hogenson
Eli Fucile …  Jack Jack Parr
Maeve Andrews …  Jack Jack Parr
Wallace Shawn …  Gilbert Huph
Spencer Fox …  Dashiell ‘Dash’ Parr
Lou Romano …  Bernie Kropp
Wayne Canney …  Principal
Sarah Vowell …  Violet Parr
Michael Bird …  Tony Rydinger

Walt Disney/Pixar * 115 mins * PG * 2004

Synopsis from IMDb: Fifteen years ago, superheroes walked the streets of Metroville, performing acts of great heroism and inspiring many to follow their example. But a string of lawsuits by disgruntled people they’d helped lead to political and public outcry, and the Supers were forced into retirement and government-funded anonymity. Bob Parr used to be Mr. Incredible, one of the greatest and strongest Supers; now, he lives a mundane life as a suburban insurance agent. Although his wife Helen (formerly Elastigirl) has moved on and is more concerned with raising their children Dashiell (who is super-fast and super-confident), Violet (who can turn invisible – and is super-shy) and baby Jack-Jack than battling evil, Bob still yearns for the good old days – and his chance comes when he is approached by a shadowy government organization and asked to join their numbers. But all is not as it seems, and Bob will find himself trapped by Syndrome, an embittered enemy who in his youth once idolized Mr. Incredible – and only his family will be able to save him now…

VS: 1.5 pointed ears
This is the first Pixar film to receive a PG rating.  The rating is mostly for the intense action sequences that might be a little much for an impressionable child.  Nothing really bad happens to the main characters and the deaths happen off-screen.  As an adult watching a film that is marketed to and directed at children, I appreciated the in jokes the producers placed in the movie to entertain the adults.  The other thing I liked is that the heroes are human beings with human faults.  Mr. Incredible talking to the audience, “Sometimes I just wish the Earth would stay saved,” this is something we would never expect to hear Superman or Spider-man admit out loud.

This movie is a fresh take on the superhero archetype.  I enjoy it each time I watch it.

Mrs. VS: 1.5 pointed ears
This a good family movie that adults will enjoy as well.  I’m not particularly “in to” action adventure movies, but when the family saw this in the theater and again we bought the DVD I sat and watched with my family.  This isn’t a movie tat I’d go see because I want to see it but I can sit through it without feeling lost.

Pvt Black Spartan is on an FTX her review is coming.

PIT #2: 1.2 pointed ears
Only because my younger cousin watches this movie every time he comes over.  I’m getting a little tired of watching it.  One or two viewings every couple of years or so would be fine.  The first time I watched it I was very impressed with Pixar’s take on the whole super-hero genre.  How would  public react to super heroes?  What happens to a hero when it’s more than just his own life in jeopardy?

I liked the way Pixar dealt with these questions.  I just don’t want to see the movie once a month. 

PIT #3: 1 pointed ear
This is a Disney movie.  Cartoons are for kids (editor’s note PIT #3 is 11 and therefore wa-a-ay too cool to be watching cartoons).  Mr. Incredible is a Superman wannabe who can’t fly.  Elastigirl an the rest of the superheroes are  ripoffs of characters in both Marvel and DC.  Super-villian puts the world in jeopardy and it’s up to our heroes to save the world.  Blah blah blah…  I’ve seen it all before.

5.2 pointed ears out of 8
Rated PG for intense scenes of action and comic book-style violence.  This is a nice family friendly film.

4 Comments

  1. Except, except, this movie isn’t about/for little kids… This movie has the “little kid” stuff in it, but this story is way more for adults than kids.

  2. @Dr Rotwang – 3 pointed ears? I’d love to get a look at your physiology. 😎 The PITs are constantly trying to give some movies more than 2.

    @Morrison – Agreed, though PIT #3 isn’t quite old enough to grasp that concept yet. Pixar knocks it out of the park on a regular basis because they “Get It” about the fact that cartoons need to have something for the adults in the audience as well.

    Believe it or not one of my favorite cartoon series is the Veggie Tales franchise. There is always something in each cartoon geared directly at the adult(s) watching it with junior.

  3. Yes, I agree with the sencond commentor. The story line was writtin for adultsand not for kids. Thanks for a great job on this post.

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