In case you (somehow) hadn’t heard, one of the best family films in recent memory will finally get its sequel:
(via Total Film) – “…Yep, The Incredibles 2 is a reality, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Officially announced by Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger at today’s shareholder’s meeting, that sound you can probably hear is Pixar fans’ brains exploding.
The project is in the very early stages – Brad Bird has only just put pen to paper – but just the fact that Disney / Pixar will be continuing the adventures of Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and their children Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack is reason enough to celebrate…”
And the official “Tweet” is below:
It’s official: we’re currently working on new films featuring your favorite characters from The Incredibles and Cars! pic.twitter.com/HzdvF0rvpA
— Disney•Pixar (@DisneyPixar) March 18, 2014
Easily one of the most positive and satisfying movies to come out in a generation, ‘The Incredibles‘ is one of only two animated films (the other being Hoodwinked) that I’ve watched multiple times with my kids and enjoyed it just as much, or more, with each successive viewing:
Yes, Pixar’s animation displayed its typical excellence. Yes, the voice characterizations are unarguably perfect. But it was more than just that. The Parrs were a traditional nuclear family (Pixar’s first ever, by the way), but the kids spoke and behaved like kids, rather than miniature wise-cracking adults. And while the parents obviously loved each other, they were more “real” than most fictional couples: the mom wasn’t perfect and the dad wasn’t an idiot.
Go ahead: apply just those measures against the last 10 supposedly “family” films you’ve seen recently and tell me how you do.
Want more? Okay: there was a merciful lack of fart jokes or bathroom-related humor. That fact alone places it practically in its very own category among modern family-themed offerings.
On top of all that, there was the musical score. Michael Giacchino’s lush soundtrack deliberately hearkened back to the classic James Bond films and John Berry’s orchestration. Many of the set pieces themselves add to this, too, giving the entire movie a highly authentic retro vibe.
And it’s intelligently written. There’s clever little throwaways, like villains with names like ‘Bomb Voyage’, or the name of Syndrome’s private island being ‘Nomanisan Island’. And lines like “You sly dog! You got me monologuing!“, or “…when EVERYBODY’S super…no one will be” are instantly and deservedly memorable.
Lastly, there’s this: it actually celebrates individual exceptionalism.
- Helen: I can’t believe you don’t want to go to your own son’s graduation.
- Bob: It’s not a graduation. He is moving from the 4th grade to the 5th grade….
- Helen: …It’s a ceremony!
- Bob: It’s psychotic! They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity, but if someone is genuinely exceptional…
Yes, that’s a modern film saying it’s okay if everyone doesn’t get a prize, which must have come as quite a shock to various members of Generation Cupcake. I practically dropped my popcorn when I first heard that exchange, as I recall.
So if you’ll excuse me, I need to once again view this film with my wife and kids for perhaps the 30th time. And if you haven’t watched it recently, YOU probably should, too.
Two Heads are Better Than One 
I saw The Incredibles again last week, it really is a good movie.
There’s not many films that I can watch repeatedly without growing tired of them. This is one of a very few exceptions to that rule….
I love virtually anything Pixar…but this is truly a stand-out. Unfortunately, without animals (or monsters) as main characters, Lucy is not interested in watching it repeatedly–yet. This is good news indeed, bro! Thanks for the early heads-up. Huzzah!
Well, since it’s only in the initial writing stage, by the time it’s actually out, she may have a new appreciation for non-monster/animal movies….
😉
Huzzah, indeed!
Thanks for the review JTR, now hold on to your hat (I’d say cape, but as I learned in the above, if everyone is super, no one is 😉 )… I have never seen this movie. However, I shall be renting it now!! 😀 p/s: I do LOVE Hoodwinked though!
‘Incredibles’ is just as clever as ‘Hoodwinked’, but in a different way… and with superior animation, obviously.
You’ll love it, I promise.
Not much of a movie watcher except when the kids bring one over to watch with me. I have seen all the Disney princess movies…
But this looks good! Thanks, JTR. I’ll get this for them.
And for me!
Following an enjoyable experience with the “first” of any movie, I always cringe a little when I see the same title with a “2” after it (Thinking: Hoodwinked Too). Only time will tell with The Incredibles…..