The Incredibles

PG	Rottentomatoes.com Rating:97%	2004
(Thematic elements, mild language, some violence)	Picky Flicks Quote: "Flies high above the crowd for its worldly wit and compassion for humankind." -Stella Papamichael, BBC	RUNTIME: 1hr. 55 mins.
Visit:www.screenit.com for complete details		Movie Mood: Super

The Incredibles is one of those movies that, at least in my case, grows on you. When I first saw it in the theater, I was impressed by its technical achievements, jewel-bright animation, clever one-liners, and lively storyline. But I wasn’t emotionally engaged with the characters. I enjoyed and appreciated the hard work that had so clearly gone into the movie-making process. But I didn’t really care about the movie or anyone in it.

Now, I’m not saying that I now have fantasies of chatting on the phone with Helen Parr (aka Elastigirl) or babysitting Jack-Jack (but then, who would actively want to babysit a child who can spontaneously combust), but I recently watched The Incredibles yet again and felt considerably more engaged and in tune with the characters (my two-year-old was adorably cuddled in my lap watching with me, so maybe that’s where the warm fuzzies were coming from). They are reasonably well-developed and, as much as can be true for a “person” that is drawn on a computer, realistic as well as entertaining. That’s more that can be said for some flesh-and-blood characters that have…ahem…graced the silver screen (Van Wilder, anyone?).

The Incredibles truly is one of those movies that works in both the kid and the grown-up world. On the one hand, it’s a colorful story about superheroes and their derring-do that will delight tykes of practically all ages (my firstborn started watching it when he was about two and burst into tears when the incredi-kids started arguing; but he’s sensitive). It has loud explosions, funny sight-gags, and a bouncy musical score. On the other hand, there are so many knowing asides, social references, and “issues” that will go flitting right over most little-bitties’ heads that the film would also make a great movie night with adults. Seriously. There’s a moment when Mr. Incredible crash-lands an RV (that had very recently been attached to a rocket in midair) on a highway and then proceeds to get in an argument with his wife about which exit will be faster. The juxtaposition of such a mundane disagreement with such extraordinary circumstances is truly funny and indicative of the movie’s wry sense of humor. It’s a moment that meant nothing to either one of my (granted, very small) children but gave my husband and me a good chuckle.

Another such moment is when Violet Parr, Bob and Helen’s painfully shy, self-conscious, and—oh yes—force-field-wielding preteen daughter exclaims, “Mom and Dad may be dead. Or worse, their marriage may be in trouble.” Adolescent uneasiness at the prospect of marital discord would seem to be too weighty of a topic for a movie about an incognito superhero family who bands together to save the world, but The Incredibles does an admirable job of juggling real-life topics of concern (midlife crises; extra-marital flirtations; misplaced priorities; to name a few) while maintaining a light, frothy tone.

The basic storyline of The Incredibles (for all two of you non-Pixar initiated souls left in the world) deals with the plight of the Parr family. Bob, formerly a world-renowned superhero full of zip and vigor, is now an insurance claims adjuster—a soul-crushing desk job that has lost him every bit of his zip but gained him a good fifty extra pounds. He’s got a good life—an equally super wife and three kids with superpowers (although the baby’s abilities don't surface until a crucial point near the end), but he can’t seem to stop reliving the “glory days” before a rash of lawsuits and nitpicking (one man sues Mr. Incredible for neck pain and diminishment of his quality of life after Mr. I catches him in the middle of his suicide dive) drove all of the “Supers” underground.

Unexpectedly, a new, top-secret mission presents itself, and Bob has a reason to live again. The movie bounces through happy montage of how things change at home now that Bob can be a Super again: he’s playing with his kids, there’s a spring in his step, he’s playfully pinching his wife’s rear (who manages to pinch him back from halfway across the room; her arms DO stretch for tens of feet after all). But everything is not what it seems. A disgruntled former fan boy with no superpowers but a nasty grab bag of gizmos and gadgets is out for revenge. Soon, Mr. Incredible is running for his life, and his family is in danger as well.

The remainder of the movie deals with how the Parr family comes to terms with being super and being a family at the same time. Things explode, lessons are learned, and everything turns out all right in the end.

Although The Incredibles is not quite worthy of its name it’s not far off either. And it’s a solid bet for a family crowd-pleaser that will keep everyone interested from the toddler right on up to Mom and Dad. Which is a pretty incredible feat when you think about it.

Until next Wednesday, stay picky! Your mind will thank you later!