Written by Wayne Townsend
The Incredibles 2 is a good film. The Brad Bird film chronicles the further exploits of the Parr family Bird brought to us 14 years ago in the first film of the franchise, the Incredibles. Bird, the director of the critically acclaimed but underrated by the masses The Iron Giant has a deft hand at telling compelling adult stories hidden in animated features. Some of the themes touched on in this film but never delivered with a heavy hand are discrimination, gender roles in parenting, the use of the media and marketing, and civil disobedience. In the movie’s subplot, Bob, voiced by Craig T. Nelson struggles with his new role of caregiver to his 3 children, Violet, Dash, and Jack Jack, who steals the movie in every scene he’s in. Bob has no problem saving the city from a dastardly evil villain, but when it comes to navigating a lovelorn teenaged daughter, a son with the new math, or a baby whose unique abilities are causing sleepless night, he realizes becoming a responsible parent is where his true desire to be a hero lies. Helen Parr or Elastigirl voiced by Holly Hunter, moved to the forefront of the superhero family business as a marketing ploy to change the law that deems all actions by superheroes illegal. Through the help of billionaire Winston Deavor, voiced by an on-point Bob Odenkirk in all his Better call Saul greatness she works to change the public perception of superheroes by breaking the law and performing heroic deeds in spite of the laws prohibiting them. An issue her daughter Violet brings up more than once. None of Bird’s films are driven by appealing to children, and Incredibles 2 is no exception. Some of the action is slapstick in the vain of the old Looney Tunes, one hilarious scene has one of the kids matching wits with an animal raiding their trash can. But the non-blood violence is reminiscent of a Bond film especially when you take into account the cinematography the accompanying musical score. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and understand why Incredibles 2 broke the box office record for an animated feature on its. Opening weekend. 3 ½ out 5.