The Incredibles

To watch a great movie is like having a delicious dinner. You are greatly anticipating eating what you expect to be a great meal. Then when you actually begin to start eating, you enjoy the meal even more with every bite. When you have finished, the savory taste is still in your memory.

Even if you had plenty of that food, after, you still wish you could have had more. Then in the future you still remember that particular day, that day when you had that exceptional meal. The same thing occurs when you watch a fantastic movie. It leaves you full and satisfied.

The Incredibles left me full and satisfied.

After six movies from Pixar that where stellar, I was expecting much from their latest movie The Incredibles. What I received was much more than I expected.

A different type of Pixar Picture. One that I could relate to. Their previous movies dealt with Bugs, Toys, Monsters, and Sea Creatures. They were all truly fun. Yet, all had to do with things that kids would be enticed by.

The Incredibles it hit home for us older ones. You had humans who had super powers but no matter how exceptional they were, they still had to deal with all the “run of the mill” things that humans deal with.

They had to deal with retirement, the difficulties of having children, getting older, and adjusting to things in the best way possible when things change. All these thing in one form or another I can relate to. The Incredibles gives you the opportunity to have a few chuckles, watch a super adventure and even ponder on family life.. or just life in general.

Non-conforming Splendid Story Telling

The story begins in a flashback form. The best intro. since the video game beginning of Toy Story 2. (Where we got to see great visual effects and a surprise that was a real attention grabber.) Laying the foundation, the first scenes told of how the good old days where. Mr. Incredible, Frozone, and Elastigirl and how it was when they were in full swing.

Until a rescue gone wrong spoiled the fun. This began an undelightful backlash that dismantled the superheroes life, as it was known. It forced all superheroes into retirement. From there the story took off.

The story dealt with a family coming together. Everyone finding their groove. Not just that but asking the quetion. How can you act average if you are exceptional? One of my fave lines in this movie is said by Dash (The son of Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl). When his mother said that everyone is special, he said: “Isn’t that just another way of saying. no one really is.” This movie has fun humor and action but it also has a mind.

Poking at the situation and making it bleed human feelings. It shows aspect of human reality all over the story. Like Mr. Incredible dealing with riding in a car that is too small for his frame. He is Huge, so in comparison an average size car is rather small in comparison. When he rides his vehicle he is smooched inside. Like a bodybuilder inside a Volkswagen bug from the 70’s, a tight fit. In one part of the movie he gets mad and hits the car, producing a dent in the car. His strength is part of his frustration in life. Many times in life we find that some of our strengths, bring us great frustration. Frustration over having proper control over them. Like someone who is a good leader but becomes pushy. They have to find equilibrium in that. “The Incredibles” is filled with aspects that make you ponder on your own life. A fiction and reality parallel.

Many times in movies, the potential for the story is high. Yet, you find that many things are either taken for granted or neglected. In this film, none of that is shown. Brad Bird the director of The Iron Giant, has crafted a story that pulls no punches. From beginning to end it unfolds with great precision and wonderfully detailed. Committing fully to the story and not leaving holes like many movies do. Expecting you to disregard things that don’t fit or don’t make sense. Like all the other Pixar movies, this movie is a storytelling success. It tells a full story, develops the characters well, and delivers with a grand finally.

Visually Sensational

I loved the visual effects in this movie. First, because it unfolded so dramatically well, it sucked you in and made you feel as if you were watching a live action film. You forgot that this is C.G.I. and felt as if the action was real. Second, the imagery was virtually groundbreaking. Like no other animated film I have ever seen. Nothing in the visual effects was over done, rather it was precisely crafted.

Cast and Characters

Voice Talent

Brad Bird – Edna
Spencer Fox – Dash Parr
Holly Hunter – Elastigirl
Samuel L. Jackson – Frozone
Jason Lee – Syndrome
Craig T. Nelson – Mr. Incredible
Sarah Vowell – Violet Parr

My Faves.

Syndrome

First thing I must do is talk about my fav. Dogma cast member Jason Lee. While I was saddened by the fact that he did not have as much dialog, he sure had some gem lines. He was funny and delivered his lined in a perfect sarcastic way. Something like in dogma where he also played a villainous type character. I love the way his character looked, big hair, big face, and a suit with a big S in him chest.

Lucius/Frozone

Samule L. Jackson played this guy. While I’m not as disappointed with his small part, the power of Frozone made me wish we could have seen more of his Iceman like freezing stuff persona. His most funny part was plastered all over the promos, so it was mostly lost in theater.

Dash

Dash reminded me of when I was 10. How I wished that I could have those powers he had. Surely, all the little boys watching him had a fun time seeing a little kid do such fantasy like things.

Mr. Incredible

His character was interesting to me because like him I am married. His relationship with his wife and his work situation was something that I could relate to. All the details made me ponder on my own life. Making me think of the problems that I could have and wondering how I would handle them. Really, the most fun was watching him smash stuff.

Incredible

The Incredibles is really an incredible movie. For me its worth a second look. As I think back to different things in the movie it makes me realize how much more I like it. The End of the movie is my fav. part. Where something is revealed that will excite, scare, and will make you laugh, all at the same time.

Like a delicious dinner. At two hours, I wish I would have had more. More story, more action, more Jason Lee. Can you say: SEQUEL. I sure hope Pixar does.