Rent The Incredibles on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Brad Bird
Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, Wallace Shawn
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer
Plot
While trying to lead a quiet suburban life, a family of undercover superheroes are forced into action to save the world.
Verdict
Pixar always does such a great job with story. While it's a super hero tale, it also analyzes suburban life through that lens. While it seems like a kid's film, it offers plenty of depth for adults. This captures aspects of feeling unfulfilled, isolation, middle age, and family dynamics. Bob's dissatisfaction with his job is especially pertinent as he longs to return to his glory days as a super hero. His children are tired of hiding their abilities. The final act provides a big moment for all of the characters as they must rise to the challenge the villain presents.
Watch It.
Review
Mr. Incredible is the preeminent super hero. Even in the face of danger he helps old ladies and cats while stopping criminals. He dismisses a big fan that wants to lend a hand. You understand why. The fan is just a kid without super powers. Tagging along with Mr. Incredible would be dangerous. Later, when Mr. Incredible is sued for interfering with a man jumping off a building, that's the end of heroes.
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| Craig T. Nelson voice Bob / Mr. Incredible |
Mr. Incredible is now Bob the insurance adjuster. I'm not sure it could be a bigger contrast with his previous occupation. This goes against all his instincts to help people. As an adjuster he's expected to find ways to deny claims, instead he finds ways to aid the disadvantaged. Bob married Helen aka Elastigirl. They've got three kids, and all of them resent having to hide their abilities. Bob can't leave the life behind, moonlighting at night and still saving people.
It's easy to relate to being different or an outcast. Bob's kids have to hide their power to avoid undue attention. Bob is bored at work and unsatisfied with his life. He's prevented from his true calling which is noble; he just wants to help people.
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| Dash, Violet, Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl |
When Bob loses his job, he gets an offer to reprise his role as a super hero. It's his calling, and he trains to get back in shape but this offer may have been a test for something more nefarious. He fights a robot that's designed to be a weapon, a robot created to defeat heroes. He's detained, and Helen goes to save Bob. She inadvertently brings the kids, but the combination of their powers is well done and very balanced as they defeat opponents.
The villain is Syndrome and his desire is to be the greatest hero. He devises a plan to appear to be the only hero that can defeat the robots he's built. It's the dream he's had since he was a kid. The difference is that Bob wants to be a hero to help people, but Syndrome wants to be a hero for his own self adulation. Bob and his family must band together to defeat Syndrome's unconstrained robot. Each family member gets their own big hero moment.
While it doesn't explore new themes, this does such a great job of packaging all these themes together in a coherent and exciting package - in a kid's movie no less. Each character has a goal. While the villain and hero are contrasts, which is typical, Syndrome's motivations are a direct result of how Bob treated him. Syndrome just wants to feel important, even if he goes about it the wrong way.
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