HAMSTER RATING: 5 pellets
DIRECTOR: Brad Bird
STARRING (voice talent): Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), Helen Hunt (Helen
Parr/Elastigirl), Samuel L. Jackson (Lucius Best/Frozone), Jason Lee (Buddy Pine/Syndrome),
Spencer Fox (Dash Parr), Sarah Vowell (Violet Parr), Wallace Shawn (Gilbert Huph)
SYNOPSIS: All the superheroes have been forced to give up crimefighting, but for Bob "Mr.
Incredible" Parr, the urge to do good is too strong to resist, attracting the attention of his
newly minted nemesis, Syndrome. Now, Bob's wife Helen "Elastigirl" and their superkids must
rescue Bob and save the city from Syndrome's diabolical scheme.
REVIEW: The Incredibles has everything you could possibly want in an action movie:
giant robots, flashy costumes, a secret base inside a volcano and superhuman heroes. It
borrows styles from comic books, video games, James Bond movies and family sitcoms and
delivers a smart, funny and sophisticated story that has something for everybody to enjoy.
Wow. That last line sounded completely manufactured, but I'm telling you, it's all true.
Pixar demonstrates once again that they don't need Disney with the quality of animation in
this movie. I was particularly struck with how detailed everyone's hair was. The rendering
was so real that the Parr family looked like plastic dolls that had come to life and been
caught on camera. The scenery and backgrounds seemed torn right from a James Bond computer
game; totally fleshed out and fully realized with immense scope. I sat in the theatre, taking
it all in, just thinking, "Wow!" It was like the ultimate computer game (deliberately so,
were I a marketing exec at Pixar). Did I mention the camera angles? Think about the pod race
from Star Wars Episode I and that's close to the experience.
"Houston, I'm reading another Pixar blockbuster, over."
All that gloss and glitter and action will keep the kiddies glued to their seats, but the
real heart of the story takes place between the members of the Incredible family, giving the
older-than-10 crowd an equally satisfying story. Actually, the movie starts out rather slow,
playing out like a sitcom--Bob works in a crummy job, Helen is stressed out by the kids at
home, Violet is shy, Dash gets into trouble at school, etc--except this all-American family
happens to have X Men-like powers. The real-world problems faced by superheroes has been done
successfully before (Spiderman I and II), but it's still fresh and funny.
Add to this pleasing mix an excellent voice cast (Who'd have thought Craig T. Nelson had
the perfect hero voice?) and a sophisticated, energetic soundtrack that's amazing in its own
right, and one can easily see why this movie has grossed over $70 million in its opening
weekend.
FAVORITE SCENE: Mr. Incredible gets fired and takes out his frustration on the teensy
family car. We've all had days we wished we could do that!
