Incredibles 2
3/4
Starring (voices): Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk
Rated PG for Action Scenes and Some Brief Mild Language
"The Incredibles" was a kid-friendly version of "Kick-Ass" (or considering that the Pixar movie came first, maybe that should be reversed). It both embraced and parodied the superhero genre with equal zeal, and it did the same thing with American family life. That was in 2004, and fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since. Writer/director Brad Bird held off until he found a story that was just as good as the first (giving credence to the hope that there are some people in Hollywood who place quality over the lure of a quick buck). So is it worth the wait? Without a doubt. Does it live up to the first one? Not exactly.
Unlike most sequels, "Incredibles 2" picks up right where the first one left off. And I mean almost immediately. While dealing with The Underminer (Pixar regular John Ratzenberger), they are observed by the brains behind a technogiant. Both Winston (Odenkirk) and Evelyn (Keener) are enthusiastic about bringing superheroes back and see Elastigirl, aka Helen Parr (Hunter) as the face of the movement. That leaves Bob, aka Mr. Incredible (Nelson) feeling jealous and perhaps a little emasculated. But that's nothing compared to having to deal with problems raising his kids.
The film's biggest problem is that it doesn't tread any new ground. A lot of this stuff is familiar territory, albeit with a Pixar spin. The villain's motives, when revealed, are a total cliche. In fact, I guessed the villain's identity as soon as they appeared on screen. Bird apparently realizes the weaknesses in his story, and wisely doesn't concentrate too much on it. Still, the action scenes are thrilling and watching Elastigirl save the day is awesome enough that we can vicariously feel her newfound energy.
"Incredibles 2" is at its best when it stays domestic. Mr. Incredible can deal with supervillains and machines gone mad with little problem. But helping Dash (Milner, a dead ringer for the original voice actor) with his math homework (there's a hilarious dig at Common Core math) and Violet with her relationship issues (her date with the school hottie vanished when he forgot about it after getting his memory wiped since he saw her sans mask). The biggest stress is learning that Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) has powers that surpass all of theirs. Keeping up with him tests the patience (and sanity) of everyone. The film's undisputed highlight is when he picks a fight with a very hungry raccoon. Not since Scrat from the "Ice Age" movies has a rodent suffered so much punishment. And loss of dignity. Fan-favorite Edna "E" Mode (Bird), the superhero fashionista, makes a return, but her most hilarious bit (babysitting Jack-Jack) is left off camera).
The bottom line is that fans have wanted a sequel to "The Incredibles," and after fourteen years (!), Pixar has delivered. It's not great art, and is certainly nowhere near their best entries like "Finding Nemo" or last year's "Coco," but it's a lot of fun. Now, if MCU could take a page and make their films with a sense of joy and creative energy rather than cynicism and obligation, maybe it could justify hanging around for a while. Instead of being the hamster wheel it actually is.
Starring (voices): Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk
Rated PG for Action Scenes and Some Brief Mild Language
"The Incredibles" was a kid-friendly version of "Kick-Ass" (or considering that the Pixar movie came first, maybe that should be reversed). It both embraced and parodied the superhero genre with equal zeal, and it did the same thing with American family life. That was in 2004, and fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since. Writer/director Brad Bird held off until he found a story that was just as good as the first (giving credence to the hope that there are some people in Hollywood who place quality over the lure of a quick buck). So is it worth the wait? Without a doubt. Does it live up to the first one? Not exactly.
Unlike most sequels, "Incredibles 2" picks up right where the first one left off. And I mean almost immediately. While dealing with The Underminer (Pixar regular John Ratzenberger), they are observed by the brains behind a technogiant. Both Winston (Odenkirk) and Evelyn (Keener) are enthusiastic about bringing superheroes back and see Elastigirl, aka Helen Parr (Hunter) as the face of the movement. That leaves Bob, aka Mr. Incredible (Nelson) feeling jealous and perhaps a little emasculated. But that's nothing compared to having to deal with problems raising his kids.
The film's biggest problem is that it doesn't tread any new ground. A lot of this stuff is familiar territory, albeit with a Pixar spin. The villain's motives, when revealed, are a total cliche. In fact, I guessed the villain's identity as soon as they appeared on screen. Bird apparently realizes the weaknesses in his story, and wisely doesn't concentrate too much on it. Still, the action scenes are thrilling and watching Elastigirl save the day is awesome enough that we can vicariously feel her newfound energy.
"Incredibles 2" is at its best when it stays domestic. Mr. Incredible can deal with supervillains and machines gone mad with little problem. But helping Dash (Milner, a dead ringer for the original voice actor) with his math homework (there's a hilarious dig at Common Core math) and Violet with her relationship issues (her date with the school hottie vanished when he forgot about it after getting his memory wiped since he saw her sans mask). The biggest stress is learning that Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) has powers that surpass all of theirs. Keeping up with him tests the patience (and sanity) of everyone. The film's undisputed highlight is when he picks a fight with a very hungry raccoon. Not since Scrat from the "Ice Age" movies has a rodent suffered so much punishment. And loss of dignity. Fan-favorite Edna "E" Mode (Bird), the superhero fashionista, makes a return, but her most hilarious bit (babysitting Jack-Jack) is left off camera).
The bottom line is that fans have wanted a sequel to "The Incredibles," and after fourteen years (!), Pixar has delivered. It's not great art, and is certainly nowhere near their best entries like "Finding Nemo" or last year's "Coco," but it's a lot of fun. Now, if MCU could take a page and make their films with a sense of joy and creative energy rather than cynicism and obligation, maybe it could justify hanging around for a while. Instead of being the hamster wheel it actually is.
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