The Incredibles 2 Review
One of the overarching criticisms of Hollywood’s current state is its over reliance on sequels. The lack of originality in today’s movies seems to be a popular gripe with many theatre goers. Although that may be true, the public's desire for an Incredibles 2 never wavered. It's perhaps one of the only follow ups that the majority of people were actually clamoring for year after year. Our cries were finally answered and it’s an exciting day knowing you we get to spend more time with our favorite superhero family.
The original The Incredibles came out 14 years ago and it truly is “incredible” just how beloved the film still is. That’s a whole generation gone by and some who saw it as teenagers are probably now looking forward to taking their children to see this second installment.
If you haven’t done so already(unable to handle the anticipation) see the original again!! Maybe it’s already a movie you revisit often but it’s easy to forget just how amazing that first film is. The Incredibles stands tall with Pixar’s best (Ratatouille, Toy Story, and Finding Nemo), displaying the absurd amount of creativity and wit that makes the studio the Ferrari of animation.
Regardless of fans demanding more from The Incredibles, Pixar took on a daunting task, venturing to create something that people would hold up to the standards of the first. The results are in and Pixar was able to get on base. It’s not the home run that I had hoped for but it’s a solid effort either way.
The problem stems from something that's all too familiar in today's social media age. That's the hype that starts building up 2-3 weeks prior to these big releases. By the time you get a chance to catch it for yourself, you’ve heard such amazing things that the movie can’t possibly live up to. Incredibles 2 suffered from that in some ways. The two things that met expectations were Edna Mode and Jack Jack. Believe the praise for those two characters. Edna Mode is hilarious and Jack Jack is unbelievably adorable.
Incredibles 2 is not as lackluster as it may be coming off. It’s still great and definitely a stronger follow up than another recent Pixar sequel, Finding Dory. The thing that’s impressive about both this one and the original is how subversive they are for being children’s films. The animation and visuals are plenty to keep kids entertained and yet most of the jokes and story is clearly geared towards older audiences.
The most reassuring thing about the film is how well they capture the spirit of the characters 14 years later. After all, that’s what makes The Incredibles so memorable… the characters! Dash, Violet, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Jack Jack, and Edna Mode are all so likable and fun to watch. They have some of the best and most flushed out personalities of any animation characters put to screen. If for nothing else, a sequel is a fantastic excuse to spend some more time with them.
However, that also brings to mind the thing that The Incredibles 2 lacks compared to the original. That’s a strong, cohesive story. The outer shell of it all is a good foundation, dealing with the politics and PR stunts that come up in a world with superheroes. Unfortunately, the stuff that fills in the gaps for that general premise lacks the substance of the first. The Incredibles is a story about getting old and dealing with the different phases of our lives. It’s a through line that is felt throughout, adding an unexpected level of depth to an animated movie. In this new one, I didn’t get an overarching element that tied it all together and made it more than just a fun ride. The reason it disappointed me was because that’s the thing that Pixar does so often that makes them stand out. Here, there’s countless clever little tidbits that comment on the not so glamorous aspects of parenting and life in general and while those provide great moments, they don’t string together in a way that elevates the material.
You’ll hear no complaining from me, getting dragged out to see The Incredibles 2 again. It’s smart, entertaining, and puts a huge grin on your face. There’s simply more nuance to the original than this newest installment and because of that, I couldn’t help but want more from the sequel. Then again, getting to spend more time with Dash, Violet, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Jack Jack, and Edna Mode is never a bad thing. It felt like a warm blanket, seeing the crew team up again. At the end of the day, Pixar’s newest falls just short of being “incredible” but it’s still one damn impressive ride.
