Capsule Movie Review #8: The Incredibles
Another magnificent movie from Pixar that is a more serious affair than previous films (Finding Nemo), blending real ideas and issues with excellent animation.
After Mr Incredible is forced to retire from superhero work due to the litigious nature of those he was trying to help, he ends up stuck in a grindingly depressing job as a clerk in an insurance company. It’s no surprise that when he gets a mysterious request for help, he can’t wait to squeeze back into his outfit, despite having to lie to his wife and family.
The first act of the film may come as a bit of a surprise; it neatly encapsulates the difficulties of normal family life both at work and at home - no talking fish or magical toys here - and this is where young children’s attention may start to drift. However, for older viewers there’s a lot of underlying subtext and the characters really get fleshed-out - this isn’t a kid’s cartoon, despite appearances (and marketing). The rest of the film is spent in action mode, with very clear James Bond/Spy Kids influences, but there’s still time for the underlying conflicts to be resolved and the family to bond together.
Overall, the film is great fun but with some real depth which has eluded most superhero films before it. I thoroughly recommend it to everyone.
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