MOVIE REVIEW: Continuing Pixar’s incredible charm
Pixar’s latest computer animated feature, “The Incredibles” is a James Bond like action movie with a domestic, “Everybody Loves Raymond” close-to-home feel. It’s a highly imaginative look into the wonders and blunders of super heroism through the eyes of a family of Supers.
Director Brad Bird, (“The Iron Giant”) brings this super hero saga to life with caring description. His focus isn’t so heavy laden with the character’s powers and abilities, but rather their everyday-people side. Ironically, this is most obvious in regards to their powers.
Violet, a coming-of-age teenage girl, who’s shy and soft spoken and dreads being seen by her hunky crush, has the power to be invisible – something most girls her age would only hope for. Dash, an energetic spunky 7-year-old who likely has the worst case of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder has the power of super speed.
Helen Parr, (Holly Hunter) their mother, a do-it-all homemaker who seems to spread herself thin in household duties, has the overly-appropriate power of elasticity. And Mr. Incredible, is a father who can do no wrong in the eyes of his kids.
This underlining irony carries throughout the film. Oddly enough, it’s almost like it’s their powers that make them seem human.
The Parr’s lives are equal to ordinary people in the suburbs, complete with trips to the principal’s office and mundane 9-to-5 jobs.
But it wasn’t always so.
Bob and Helen Parr were once the spandex-wearing superheroes: Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. The two, along with numerous other Supers worked in the cities stopping crime and saving lives; but thanks to Mr. Incredible and other Super’s reckless nature, lawsuits began to pile up against the city for the some of the saving efforts gone awry.
Soon, controversy prevented the Supers from working at all. In the midst of heated court battles, the government established the superhero protection and relocation program, in order to protect the Super’s from threats and lawsuits.
And pretty soon, Supers were living normal lives as normal people in the suburbs.
But the die hards, the true Supers, wouldn’t just sit around and let their super powers go to waste. They, including Mr. Incredible and best friend Lucious Best, or Frozone would sneak out at night waiting for police scanners to give wind of some crime to assist with.
The film spends a lot of time detailing the relationship between Bob and Helen Parr. Their domestic spats, ripe with suspicion and jealousy, are as high in entertainment value as the fast-paced action sequences.
Never before has an animation captured, with uncanny resemblance, the highs and lows of marriage complete with fleeting spats and kissy-kissy reconciliations.
Unbeknownst to Helen, Bob begins taking crime-fighting assignments again. Helen, like any good wife (suspicious of the slightest change in routine) discovers her husband has been caught by his nemesis and is being held prisoner.
The entire family unites to save their husband and father.
The climax of the film is long-winded, but steeped in high, intense action. It’s almost a parody of James Bond films.
The bad guy has his own private island and an army of henchman clad in futuristic clothing. And of course, he wishes to take over the world.
As the Incredible’s unite, they make a pretty good team considering the various powers.
The kid’s had always been told never to use their powers, but now, being encouraged, they began to hone their gifts and release havoc on the seemingly clone army of foes.
“The Incredibles” is a smart, fun film quick to both wow and humor the audience; often times simultaneously.
Its genius is in the length. It goes to display the unbelievable, – almost overboard – animated action sequences – all the while nailing the subtle realism of family dynamics in a nonchalant manner; and more importantly, making it all seem fluid.
Jack’s DVD
Recommendations:
“City of God”
“City of God” is a mind-blowing Brazilian film about the street gangs in Rio in the early ’80s. Its unique, gritty, shoot-from-the-hip style of film making is unparallel to anything I’ve seen, in terms of realistic fiction. Don’t stew this one over in the noggin as far as renting it. Just see it.
Jack Saunders is a movie reviewer for the Utah Statesman. He is a junior majoring in print journalism. Comments, or movies to review may be sent to jrsaunders@cc.usu.edu.