Film Review - The Incredibles

Pixar's new movie again raises the bar for animated films. This time it turns its attention to superheroes - this genre is perfect for animation; in fact apart from the backgrounds, and the real actors, the recent Spider-man movies were all but animated, such is the level of CGI in them (as was X-Men, Hulk etc). Eye-candy aside, Pixar introduces some real characters with real depth, superheroes who are really quite normal, which helps to engage the viewer from the start. The family are thus introduced: Bob (the father) has immense strength, Elastigirl (the mother) can stretch herself to any proportions, Violet (the daughter) can make herself invisible and project force fields and Dash (the son) can move at great speeds.

Clearly there's a lot of fun to be had here, and some of it is at the expense of the genre, since superhero movies are parodied throughout with camp abandon, and James Bond movies don't get ignored either (the villain's lair, the soundtrack and the gadgety super-suits presented by their own private designer). In addition, the standard problems of super-beings in a mortal world are a recurring theme. Society has all but banned costumed superheroes, and so Bob struggles to hold down a mundane insurance job and remain in hiding. In addition, their kids struggle with both their powers and their teenage angst. Ironically, the villainous Syndrome is a mortal struggling with a lack of super powers, and unlike some other animated films has a darkness that adds welcome depth following the cuteness of Pixar's Finding Nemo.

The fact that some of the subtexts are a little stereotypical does not detract from the fun of this movie. Bob is a man who is trying to save the world (and of course, his family), Elastigirl is a mumsy lady wanting order in their lives, Violet struggles with her adolescent shyness, until she learns to enjoy her powers and gain confidence, and Dash is a typical wayward child monster. That aside, I would thoroughly recommend this movie, which has genuine appeal across the age groups. 8/10