The Incredibles 2 - Movie Review

The Incredibles 2 is enjoying a bit of fan-boy bounce with its release over this past weekend. The film is enjoying an 8.6 rating at IMDb, which was even higher when I looked yesterday. When you wait nearly fifteen years for a sequel, that is bound to happen. I am guessing that this film will settle down into the upper 7 range, topping out around 8, once the dust settles a bit.

The Incredibles are a crime-fighting family of Supers. Short for superheroes. They are a normal family with normal issues until it comes time to battle bad guys. With their combined super powers, they are a formidable force. However, Supers have been outlawed. People have tired of the destruction left in the wake of this heroic crime-fighting. So we find the Incredibles living in a motel with two weeks before their money runs out. It appears that Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) is going to have to find a traditional job to support his family.

When Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) arrives with news that there may be an alternative, the Incredibles jump at the opportunity. Billionaire Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) have a plan to win public trust back over to the side of our superheroes. The catch? Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is the one selected to lead the charge. That leaves Mr. Incredible with the daunting task of raising a lovesick daughter (Violet/Sarah Vowell), a son struggling with new math (Dash/Huck Milner) and a night owl baby (Jack-Jack/Eli Fucile). As Elasigirl uncovers an insidious plot, the family must work together to save the day.

I did not find this story as compelling as the original. It was solid, no doubt. But it was predictable. I love the characters and count myself among those who have been anticipating this film. So I felt a little bit let down. For a film that runs nearly two hours, this story felt a bit thin. The emergence of baby Jack-Jack as a force to be reckoned with added some awesome humor to the story. It was a great diversion that added some depth to an otherwise basic story. But it wasn't quite enough for me to rave about. The dramatic elements felt forced and weakly explored.

The Incredibles 2, like the original, is visually appealing. The film pays close attention to simulating the look of live cinematography, with elements like out-of-focus backgrounds. The attention to detail with copious water elements and action sequences demonstrate that this film was designed to test the limits of the artists working on the project. And they delivered. The look of this film is slick with incredible attention to detail that makes you forget that this is an animated film. The animation helps make up for a plot that feels just a little bit superficial and a tad rehashed.

The Incredibles 2 is an animated family film that is rated PG. This film should be fun for the entire family. It is filled with visual gags that hit their target with precision. The children sitting behind me were practically rolling on the floor laughing at times. Their hearty laughter actually heightened my enjoyment of the film. Things I thought were mildly humorous were over-the-top for them. I found myself laughing along with an audience of younger viewers who were vociferous in their approval. My children are grown, but my wife and I still enjoy entertainment like this. It delivered. The great visual qualities, visual gags, exceptional animation and wholesome story were worthwhile. While the story failed to elevate the franchise, it did not feel like a cheap ripoff either. While lacking in some areas, it was worth seeing in the theater. Put me down as saying that this film did not achieve the benchmarks set by the original. 7.5/10.

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