The Incredibles was the first Pixar movie that my older brother ever saw, and these days, it's a favorite of both of ours to watch. He used to really hate it, but times change! And there are a number of things to love about this movie.
Set in a retro-futuristic take on the 1960's, the movie centers around Bob (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and Helen Parr (Holly Hunter), a married couple of superheroes, known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, respectively, who, for the last 15 years, have been forced to live by their secret identities, after the government outlawed all hero work, due to a downturn in public attitude toward superheroes. As much as Bob adores his wife and kids, he longs to relive his days of crime-fighting and helping people in need, and one day, just after losing his job as an insurance agent at the dishonestly-named Insuricare for assaulting his sleazeball boss, he gets his chance, when he is summoned to a remote island for a top-secret assignment. This draws the entire family into a confrontation with a vengeful obssessed-fanboy-turned-nemesis of Bob's, Buddy Pine (Jason Lee), now under the alias Syndrome (he originally went by IncrediBoy).
The animation, as is to be expected from Pixar, is truly fantastic, even for the time the movie was released. All the characters are excellently and distinctly designed, and their movements are very expressive and fluid. Every set piece and texture, from the humans' skin, to the trees and bushes all over the island, to the buildings in the Parrs' home city, is beautifully rendered, to the point that it even holds up today, and that pesky "plastic human" look that plagued Pixar's oldest movies is close to gone. And the cinematography is fabulous, too, like a genuine superhero movie! That said, the only issue animation-wise is that the color scheme is a little gray and washed-out at times.
And all the characters are extremely fleshed-out and well-written. Bob is very heroic indeed, and more than enthusiastic about helping others, not even afraid to face danger. Helen, meanwhile, acts as the voice of reason. She's no-nonsense, and unlike Bob, well-adjusted to giving up life as a hero, but she's still headstrong, witty and, well, flexible. Even their kids are great! Violet (Sarah Vowell) starts off shy and reserved, but not without a temper, but she gradually gains confidence as the movie progresses, and shows off more of a sarcastic streak. Dash (Spencer Fox) is very mischievous, cocky and competitive, but he's still just as heroic as his parents, and cares about his family. And baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) is so adorable, though he doesn't really get much of anything to do (at least that we see. I won't spoil anything). And Syndrome is a truly sublime and memorable villain, and you would just love to hate him! Even the supporting characters are enjoyable, especially Bob's best friend and fellow superhero, Lucius Best (Samuel L. Jackson) aka Frozone. Though he's meant to be hated, Bob's aforementioned sleazy, nasty and callous boss, Gilbert Huph (Wallace Shawn) just doesn't fail to make me laugh. And of course, my personal favorite character in the movie is Bob's old friend, eccentric costume designer Edna Mode (Brad Bird, the writer/director himself!). I LOVE her, and really wish she was in the film more. She's nuts, she's quirky, and she has some of the best moments and lines ("DAHling!!!!!").
The voice-acting is tremendous! Craig T. Nelson is very proud, adventurous, heroic and fun as Bob. Holly Hunter is very sharp-witted and practical as Helen. Samuel L. Jackson is delightfully funny as Frozone. Jason Lee is fabulous ruthless and sadistic as Syndrome. Even Brad Bird is deliciously comedic as Edna! He ended up voicing her himself after he couldn't find any woman who could do her weird, German-Japanese accent the way he wanted it, and he does a terrific job. Even Wallace Shawn is downright hilarious as Huph. Everybody is perfectly cast!
The writing is great, too! The movie has plenty of thrills and action galore that always has you on the edge of your seat, and is even heartwarming at times. It also has a great message about allowing everybody to use their uniqueness to its advantage. Of course, the movie also has plenty of comedy that doesn't fail to make me laugh, for instance, the fight at the dinner table. But a lot of it is also supplied by Frozone, especially in the scene of him arguing with his wife ("Where! Is! My! SUPERSUIT?!?!?! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD!!" "Greater good?! AH am yo' WIFE! I'm the greatest 'GOOD' you are EVER gonna get!!" HAHAHAHA!!!).
And, lastly, let's talk about the music! Michael Giacchino's score is majestic, bombastic, exciting, bold, dramatic and heroic, especially his main theme. It really helps to enhance the onscreen action, and sounds suspenseful and heroic exactly when it needs to. There may not be any songs, but the score compensates for that with strong themes and hooks. Just the way all good musical scores should do for movies!
All in all, The Incredibles is exactly what its title and themes suggest; it's an incredible and super Pixar movie that holds up better then ever, 20 years later. It's got a fabulous script, great animation, and loveable characters. Everything you'd want from a good Pixar movie! All around, it's quite easily one of the best movies Pixar has ever made, and if you're a Pixar fan, it's a must-see!!!
Set in a retro-futuristic take on the 1960's, the movie centers around Bob (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and Helen Parr (Holly Hunter), a married couple of superheroes, known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, respectively, who, for the last 15 years, have been forced to live by their secret identities, after the government outlawed all hero work, due to a downturn in public attitude toward superheroes. As much as Bob adores his wife and kids, he longs to relive his days of crime-fighting and helping people in need, and one day, just after losing his job as an insurance agent at the dishonestly-named Insuricare for assaulting his sleazeball boss, he gets his chance, when he is summoned to a remote island for a top-secret assignment. This draws the entire family into a confrontation with a vengeful obssessed-fanboy-turned-nemesis of Bob's, Buddy Pine (Jason Lee), now under the alias Syndrome (he originally went by IncrediBoy).
The animation, as is to be expected from Pixar, is truly fantastic, even for the time the movie was released. All the characters are excellently and distinctly designed, and their movements are very expressive and fluid. Every set piece and texture, from the humans' skin, to the trees and bushes all over the island, to the buildings in the Parrs' home city, is beautifully rendered, to the point that it even holds up today, and that pesky "plastic human" look that plagued Pixar's oldest movies is close to gone. And the cinematography is fabulous, too, like a genuine superhero movie! That said, the only issue animation-wise is that the color scheme is a little gray and washed-out at times.
And all the characters are extremely fleshed-out and well-written. Bob is very heroic indeed, and more than enthusiastic about helping others, not even afraid to face danger. Helen, meanwhile, acts as the voice of reason. She's no-nonsense, and unlike Bob, well-adjusted to giving up life as a hero, but she's still headstrong, witty and, well, flexible. Even their kids are great! Violet (Sarah Vowell) starts off shy and reserved, but not without a temper, but she gradually gains confidence as the movie progresses, and shows off more of a sarcastic streak. Dash (Spencer Fox) is very mischievous, cocky and competitive, but he's still just as heroic as his parents, and cares about his family. And baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) is so adorable, though he doesn't really get much of anything to do (at least that we see. I won't spoil anything). And Syndrome is a truly sublime and memorable villain, and you would just love to hate him! Even the supporting characters are enjoyable, especially Bob's best friend and fellow superhero, Lucius Best (Samuel L. Jackson) aka Frozone. Though he's meant to be hated, Bob's aforementioned sleazy, nasty and callous boss, Gilbert Huph (Wallace Shawn) just doesn't fail to make me laugh. And of course, my personal favorite character in the movie is Bob's old friend, eccentric costume designer Edna Mode (Brad Bird, the writer/director himself!). I LOVE her, and really wish she was in the film more. She's nuts, she's quirky, and she has some of the best moments and lines ("DAHling!!!!!").
The voice-acting is tremendous! Craig T. Nelson is very proud, adventurous, heroic and fun as Bob. Holly Hunter is very sharp-witted and practical as Helen. Samuel L. Jackson is delightfully funny as Frozone. Jason Lee is fabulous ruthless and sadistic as Syndrome. Even Brad Bird is deliciously comedic as Edna! He ended up voicing her himself after he couldn't find any woman who could do her weird, German-Japanese accent the way he wanted it, and he does a terrific job. Even Wallace Shawn is downright hilarious as Huph. Everybody is perfectly cast!
The writing is great, too! The movie has plenty of thrills and action galore that always has you on the edge of your seat, and is even heartwarming at times. It also has a great message about allowing everybody to use their uniqueness to its advantage. Of course, the movie also has plenty of comedy that doesn't fail to make me laugh, for instance, the fight at the dinner table. But a lot of it is also supplied by Frozone, especially in the scene of him arguing with his wife ("Where! Is! My! SUPERSUIT?!?!?! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD!!" "Greater good?! AH am yo' WIFE! I'm the greatest 'GOOD' you are EVER gonna get!!" HAHAHAHA!!!).
And, lastly, let's talk about the music! Michael Giacchino's score is majestic, bombastic, exciting, bold, dramatic and heroic, especially his main theme. It really helps to enhance the onscreen action, and sounds suspenseful and heroic exactly when it needs to. There may not be any songs, but the score compensates for that with strong themes and hooks. Just the way all good musical scores should do for movies!
All in all, The Incredibles is exactly what its title and themes suggest; it's an incredible and super Pixar movie that holds up better then ever, 20 years later. It's got a fabulous script, great animation, and loveable characters. Everything you'd want from a good Pixar movie! All around, it's quite easily one of the best movies Pixar has ever made, and if you're a Pixar fan, it's a must-see!!!
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