The International Writers Magazine:Film Review

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The Incredibles • Clare Sager Writer& Director: Brad Bird, see Iron Giant. A Pixar Film Incredible by name, incredible by nature. In case you’ve been in Mars for the past year, The Incredibles is one of the most hyped films of the year; it follows the superhero Mr Incredible (AKA Bob Parr, voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and his wife and fellow stretchy super, Elastigirl (AKA Helen, Holly Hunter), in their lives – both public and secret.

What really stands out even early on is that this is different from every other superhero film. These are real people with real feelings who manage to lead double lives and save the planet. Even Mr Incredible’s car has a secret identity (you’ll see) and it leaves Batman crying into his black rubber ears.

All is going well with numerous heroes and heroines defeating crime and plots to destroy the world until Mr Incredible rescues a man attempting to commit suicide and is sued for doing so. Soon, these troubles hound all superheroes (in a brilliant portrayal of ‘blame society’), until they are forced to put away the spandex and lead ordinary lives via a witness protection programme enforced by the government.

Fast-forward 15 years and Mr and Mrs Parr have three children (who must hide their own growing powers as well as handling childhood and teendom) and a mortgage. The scenes in which Bob works in an insurance company are genuinely depressing, all strip-lighting and paperwork. However, it is soon revealed that while you can take the man out of the hero costume, you can’t take the hero out of the man and his family.

What ensues is hilarity on a stick rendered in some of the most beautiful, stylish computer animation I’ve ever seen (yes, they even get fire and water right!). The island where much of the action takes place would put the Tracys to shame, with awesome, hidden chambers and stunning landscape.

The Incredibles has it all. There is peril (in the shape of Buddy - the evil boy from Mr Incredible’s past) and fun. There are social comments, particularly on mediocrity (perhaps Prince Charlie should take a trip to the cinema?) and laughs. The voice acting is impressive (Hunter’s Elastogirl/Helen is particularly enjoyable). It has a spot-on, snappy script and the family scenes are beautifully observed. What’s not to like?
Besides, who wouldn’t want a superheroine mum who can double up as a parachute?
9/10

© Clare Sager December 2004


Clare is a Creative Writing student at Portsmouth University

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