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INCREDIBLES 2 (2018)

Incredibles 2 poster

CAST
HOLLY HUNTER
CRAIG T. NELSON
BRAD BIRD
MICHAEL BIRD
SOPHIE BUSH
ELI FUCILE
SAMUEL L. JACKSON
CATHERINE KEENER
PHIL LAMARR
HUCK MILNER
BOB ODENKIRK
ISABELLA ROSSEELLINI
SARAH VOWELL

WRITTEN BY
BRAD BIRD

PRODUCED BY
NICOLE PARADIS GRINDLE

DIRECTED BY
BRAD BIRD

GENRE
ADVENTURE
ANIMATION
FAMILY

RATED
AUS:NA
UK:PG
USA:PG

RUNNING TIME
118 MIN

 

 

Incredibles 2 image

Returning with the same adventurous spirit and eye-popping visual brilliance that made the first movie a ground-breaking success, Incredibles 2 also features a well-written modern family dynamic that is fun and captivating in equal measure.

The numerous Pixar sequels released over the last several years have been a mixed-bag. Not to say that the likes of Monster University and Finding Dory are not good films. But compared to the original movies, the quality falls a tad short. Incredibles 2 does not have that problem. In fact, the animation sequel – released 14 years after the original – joins the Toy Story sequels in its ability to recapture the spirit of the first movie, while adding that little extra to proceedings. Having writer/director Brad Bird return to helm this long-awaited project proves to be a very wise move, with his ability to meld superhero adventure with on key domestic dramatics a superpower in its own right.

Incredibles 2 picks up straight after the events of the first movie. Despite their spectacular save of Metroville, the Incredibles - big daddy Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), protective mum Helen Parr/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), shy teen Violet (Sarah Vowell), super-fast Dash (Huck Milner) and cute yet dangerous bub Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) – still must deal with the realisation that “supers” are illegal. Determined to change all that is Telco magnate Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his tech genius sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener), who take on the cause to decriminalise superhero activity. Their plan? To market Elastigirl as the progressive new face of the superhero movement and win the public vote.

In an interesting yet welcome twist, Bob is left at home to play house husband. At first this new role is begrudgingly accepted, until the hulking super-dad quickly realises how much of a hard task it is. Not only does Bob have to deal with the everyday chores, he also must raise kids who are not only growing into themselves but dealing with the fact that their God given super abilities have made them criminals in the eyes of the law. When combined with Violet’s complicated crush on the cute boy at school, and Jack-Jack’s increasing, unpredictable and incredibly hilarious outbursts of his varied superhuman abilities, and suddenly saving the world feels like a walk in the park.

Most of the films action sequences is focused on Elastigirl and her search for a mysterious villain named Screenslaver, who through the transmission of a hypnotic signal can brainwash any who watch the many screens at their disposal. Considering that for many parents their mortal enemy is “screen time”, this is both hilarious and on-point.

It is indeed impressive that in this day of superhero movie galore, Bird still brings a great sense of wonder, visual aplomb and cut-with-a-knife tension to these scenes of action-adventure that pop with style and bristle with vitality. Perhaps most important of all is that there are stakes at place. Elastigirl is not only a wife with a brood to protect, but she is also protector of a whole city who, although not so reciprocal in this relationship, still are in need for a hero when threats big and bad wreak havoc upon their heads.

That winning combination of family dramatics and superhero action spectacular that made the first Incredibles movie such a success is repeated again here, yet successfully repackaged to make for a timely and timeless movie, just as the best Pixar movies proves themselves to be. Funny, thrilling and with plenty of heart to go along with tis spirited sense of adventure, Incredibles 2 is a sequel worth the wait and them some.

 

****

 

 

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