Incredibles 2: Review

The Incredibles was first released fourteen years ago, and in the words of Edna Mode it’s been “Too long Dah-ling, too long”. To say Incredibles 2 is long overdue is a complete understatement - and it hasn't gone unnoticed to many that Pixar had overlooked this eagerly anticipated sequel for an absurd number of years.  Yet after all this time we are thrown straight back into the action and it feels like the Parr family never even left the room. Following the Underminer’s attack on Metroville, Elastigirl is recruited by the head of a company named DevTech as the face of his campaign advocating superheroes to be made legal - leaving Mr Incredible at home to take care of the family. 

Though it’s been a long time coming Brad Bird delivers an excellent sequel that frame for frame is just unmissable. Considering the quality and detail of the animation, Incredibles 2 is entirely worth the fourteen year wait. Bird tackles a common flaw with most sequels, doubling up on each element to make the film seem bigger but not nessarily better - there are more characters, more explosive action, more laughs, more Edna, more Jack-Jack but most significantly the depth of the story and the main characters takes priority. Quite unconventionally Bird allows Incredibles 2 to be bigger in scale but maintains what makes the original so special - the family dynamic. Continuing to expand the story, Bird explores the romanticism of superheroes and the destructive path they leave behind, whilst he develops the personal issues each member must overcome and the heroism behind the mask.

As Elastigirl takes centre stage Mr Incredible has a test of manhood, becoming reflective of a father struggling to come to terms with no longer being the breadwinner. Furthermore, as Mr Incredible spends a significant chunk of the film stuck at home his eyes are opened to the hectic grind of family life. Whether helping Dash keep on top of his studies, comforting Violet during boy drama or babysitting Jack-Jack whilst discovering his emerging superpowers. Comparatively, Mrs Incredible experiences new found freedom as she delves back into the superhero game after spending so many years as the stay at home mum. Incredibles 2 switches Elastigirl and Mr Incredible’s positions, emphasising not only how parenting is a two hand job but how the father’s role is just as important as the mother’s.

As the new threat of Screenslaver rises (a hypnotic, technologically advanced super villain) Elastigirl  must quickly uncover the identity of this antagonist. Although Screenslaver isn’t as nuanced as the fallen wannabe hero Syndrome - their intentions both have reasonable explanations. Incredibles 2 asks what it means to be a superhero, exploring how people are dependent on superheroes without really understanding who they are. The media spoon feeds an idealistic image of them and how their gadgets and abilities should make them more trustworthy and personable, whilst Screenslaver sets out to dismantle this persona.

With Incredibles 2 Bird expands the limits of our imagination, reaching new grounds with animation, raising the bar of achievement. Visually Incredibles 2 is flawless - the animation is executed with such precision and detail it’s no surprise we experienced a fourteen year wait. This is some of the best animated world building seen - similarly to Wakanda, Metroville breathes life - the buildings, the cars, the trains and the planes surrounding it. Chiefly Incredibles 2 is a character driven story that prioritieses compelling dramatic moments over the action heavy ones. Ultimately these relatable, modern relationships has established these super heroes as arguably cinema’s most beloved family - and in Incredibles 2 Pixar delivers their finest outing since the 2004 original.

Incredibles 2:

Amazing