“The Incredibles” (Touchstone Pictures)
When Pixar and Disney combine their studios’ talents, magic ensues. It happened with “Toy Story 1 & 2”; it happened with “Monsters Inc”; and it happened with “Finding Nemo” to name a few. Now they have combined efforts one more time to bring us “The Incredibles” and this may be their most entertaining film thus far.
“The Incredibles” is the story of an incredible family. When the film opens “Mr. Incredible” is fighting evil in the world. He possesses super strength and a heart that is pure. His best friend is another super hero named “Frozone” and his true love is “Elastigirl.” These characters are wonderfully voiced by Craig T Nelson, Samuel L Jackson and Holly Hunter.
In a tip of the hat to real life, the super heroes are forced into anonymity by lawsuits and other harassment tactics. Mr. Incredible settles into life as Bob Parr, an insurance claims adjuster. He and his wife, now called Helen, concentrate on raising their family that includes daughter Violet, son Dash and baby Jack Jack.
Unknown to Helen, Bob spends some nights with Lucius Best (Frozone’s new name) listening to his police scanner. When crimes occur these two men secretly apprehend the criminals and then anonymously notify the police. Unknown to them they are being studied by a woman named Mirage (Elizabeth Pena) who has a mission in mind for them.
The movie plays like a James Bond adventure but with a family twist. It is exciting, funny and just amazingly entertaining. The Pixar animation is seamless. This studio can create any character and any locale, and make it all look believable. Plus they manage to get the perfect actors to voice the roles and then have the most creative scriptwriters to create the story line. In this film the writer and director are the same man – Brad Bird. Plus he voices the character of “Edna Mode” aka “E” who looks like a cross between Linda Hunt and Edith Head.
The movie is rated PG for some comic violence.
The movie runs for a little over two hours but no one in the theater is going to be fidgeting. This movie moves with a fast pace and a double dash of delight. Family members of all ages will be completely entertained.
It is trite to say but only one word can describe “The Incredibles” and that word is INCREDIBLE!
I scored “The Incredibles” a pixilating 8 out of 10.
