The Incredibles 2
“long-awaited and well-earned”
PIXAR’s much-beloved superhero family took a casual 18-year hiatus before jumping back into our lives with a swift and fast-paced sequel that’s packed with stunning visuals and a formidable story to hold it all together.
Brad Bird is back for his long-awaited continuation, comfortably slipping into his role as writer/director, much like our superheroes slip into their tight onesies before fighting crime.
The story picks up right where we left off, this time, however, we notice a few changes in the family dynamics. A new mission has been given to our Incredibles and roles have been reversed, Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is the stay-at-home dad whilst Helen Parr (Elastigirl) takes on the film’s action. This reversal may seem like an obvious choice to make, especially in 2018, which offers a whole new dynamic and fuels this sequel with new energy. The parenting rules have shifted, depicting a more progressive take on gender roles and getting rid of the patriarchal concept we are so used to watching on screen, especially in superhero films. Elastic girl is now the center of attention and Mr. Incredible is left to take care of the children, which rapidly renders him completely fraught and powerless, better than any villain could have done, which brings me to my next point.
Juggling with one too many ideas, the villain becomes the weakest link which in today’s world has become a cliché in the superhero genre. From Syndrome to The Screenslaver is a big leap and, unfortunately, this masked villain falls flat. Thankfully, we’re not too burdened by this affair as Brad bird takes control of the action, building tension and suspense in sequences that will have your eyes bulging out of their sockets. Never losing the thrills nor the shrills, Brad Bird and the cast are exactly as they were back in 2004, full of life. As for the animation, despite being refined and looking better than ever, it still maintains a quality that the first introduced so vividly, the 60s spy atheistic. Keeping the old whilst introducing the new, a fine balance that makes The Incredibles 2 another joy to watch.
