Brad Bird's THE INCREDIBLES 2
A movie review by Dennis D. McDonald
Given the overall quality of this movie's action sequences along with its engaging characters, have other "live action" superhero movies in their striving for realism become, ironically, increasingly cartoon-like?
The action sequences in The Incredibles 2 are just as good as if not better than other recent superhero movies. They are certainly an improvement on the mass destruction and warfare depicted in some recent Marvel films. Add to this the humor and uncanny ability Pixar artists have to imbue their characters with the movements and mannerisms of real people even while remaining faithful to their cartoon origins.
The story: two rich industrialists hatch a plan to make now-in-hiding "supers" legal once again. They choose Elastigirl as their "poster girl." She embarks on a path to major crime fighting and media stardom.
Meanwhile Mr. Incredible reluctantly stays home to take care of the kids while his wife is out saving the world. He faces the rigors of domestic life including math homework, an adolescent daughter, and a baby that hilariously reveals his own dawning superpowers.
It all sounds pretty formulaic and to some extent it is. But because Pixar is responsible we are treated to a well-oiled story that alternates in the blink of an eye from humor to sentiment to danger to action to drama and back to humor.
Throughout the movie I smiled and laughed a lot at all the humor and cleverness. Another Pixar triumph!
Coming away I also wondered to myself: Given the overall quality of this movie's action sequences along with its engaging characters, have other "live action" superhero movies in their striving for realism become, ironically, increasingly cartoon-like?
Review copyright © 2018 by Dennis D. McDonald
