The Incredibles

The day before I left the Philippines, after having lived there for two years as a missionary, I looked on a cereal box and I learned about “The Incredibles” for the first time. Two weeks later in Canada, I saw the film in Calgary, Alberta after having toe surgery (I would later become an employee at the same theater). The film has become better & better over the years and it kicked off my return to university quite effectively. I remember a bunch of us watching it in my apartment one night and had the best time. The film deviates from past Pixar movies quite drastically but for good reason. The film does not however forget the formula that every other Pixar film follows: it has a good story with great characters and technology is pushed forward. Brad Bird, the director, is a unique artist and it comes across on the screen. The film is funny, full of action and is relatable for the audience. This film introduced me to Michael Giacchino and he has become one of my favourite composers. To date, he has composed for seven Pixar films and won an Oscar for his work on "Up". His work on "The Incredibles" is also paramount to its influence. This is probably the best superhero movie not based on a comic book and the reason is because the film is more about a family than their powers.

Around the start of the new millennium, Pixar was moving into its new building and the company was an express train of success. “Toy Story 2” was taking the world by storm, “Monsters Inc.” was nearing completion and “Finding Nemo” was also being produced. Normally, a company would not be interested in changing a thing but the heads of Pixar understood the dangers of complacency. They wanted to do different things and challenge themselves. They needed someone to shake things up. Brad Bird was a former classmate of executive producer John Lasseter and Bird's resume included working on “The Simpsons” & directing the critically successful movie “The Iron Giant”. Bird’s idea for “The Incredibles” was attractive to Lasseter and thus began production on a very unique project for Pixar. For Bird, the animated performance is very important and he is very demanding in what he wants the final shot to look like. As a comparison, his CGI alter ego Edna has a similar approach to her work. Bird brought along for the ride his core animation team from his last movie. He always wants his animators to do the best they can rather than regret not going the distance upon viewing their finished work. These artists adapted to computer animation very well and I love the similarities in the character designs from both "The Iron Giant" and this movie. Bird has good priorities as well in that he will even scrap some of his favorite ideas for the betterment of the movie. For example, he had an alternate beginning of the film in mind but in the process of changing the story, he had to abandon a particular shot that he was really excited about. As was the case with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Toy Story”, the story of “The Incredibles” was inspired by the career of its creator. Bird wanted to make movies but his ideas were always being shelved. At the same time, he was raising a family. As he tried to balance all parts of his life, achieving success overall was hard. When Bob gets his new secret job, it can be likened unto Bird creating "The Iron Giant". Even though Bird finally got a chance to make a feature film, he lacked the budgets that he would have liked. That movie unfortunately failed financially at first because of studio mistakes. Just as Mr. Incredible saves the city and the relationships in his family at the end of the story, Brad Bird ended up winning the Oscar for making this film. Bob Parr even resembles Bird and due to the love/hate relationship he has with his animation team, Syndrome looks like the director as well. Bird also deserved his nomination for Best Screenplay at the Oscars that year. As in "The Iron Giant", veteran Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston have a cameo in “The Incredibles”. Bird’s admiration of them proves to me that he is extraordinary.

For the first time in a movie, we not only have a realistic family of superheroes but we also have the idea of superheroes coming out of retirement. The film is so original and that is was is most appealing about it. The opening is well organized in terms of exposition. I find it funny how Mr. Incredible runs into crisis after crisis during the prologue and just can’t get a break so as to make it to his wedding. After saving Buddy’s life for example, he has to save those on the train. The newsreel is also well constructed. The handheld camera shot of the mob looks very real. It is quite funny how Bob helps the old woman with her insurance problem and how small his office is. I also love the scene when Bob parks his car and ends up wrecking it. It is too funny with the appearance of the kid and Bob’s reaction to that. Timing is what makes that scene great. The family dinner table scene and the argument between Bob & Helen later that night are important because those scenes establish the state of the Parr family. Bob is taking his family for granted while Helen is holding her kids back in some ways. The adventure the family experiences resolves these issues and the family becomes closer. The messages of compromising and prioritizing are great for all families. The stereotypical family problems that we see in those two scenes make the Parr family very relatable and therefore very real characters. The story itself becomes better as a result. We care for this family. The Bob and Helen argument has some humor to it, which downplays the negative aspects. I find pleasure when Bob hums his own theme from the score as he comes home late. I have done similar things in my movies. I love the conversation in the car between Bob and Lucius because I can relate that kind of conversation to those with my friends. The scene when Bob comes home after being fired touches my heart because he admits that he wants the same thing that the annoying kid does: excitement. I like the physical change that Bob undergoes throughout the movie. At the start, his physicality is very superhero-like. Then he becomes fat but by the middle of the movie, he loses weight insomuch that he resembles a wrestler. I very much enjoy the montage that portrays the improvements that come into the lives of the Parr family once Bob finds his dream job. I am grateful how Bird decided to downplay Helen suspecting Bob of having an affair. The suspicion is there but it is not verbally expressed. I feel that is more appropriate and dramatic. Every movie in this genre needs at least one scene where our heroes sneak around the villain’s territory and Bird is able to create such moments that are very entertaining. There is great suspense and I love the scene when Helen gets stuck in all those doors. I applaud the editing in this movie and you can see similar choices in Bird's previous film. I love the shots leading up to the activation of the homing device and subsequent moment when the security weapons capture Mr. Incredible. Another great use of editing is the shots leading up to the jet exploding. The pace and intensity of the scene is increased. Mr. Incredible sobbing is quite dramatic in the conclusion of that particular sequence because he is far in the background. We have a Pixar “wow moment” in this movie by way of the “100 mile dash”, a sequence that Bird fully took the helm on. The speed of the scene and the use of location provide awe. The subtext of a boy learning how to fully use his talents is appealing. I love John Lasseter’s joke where Bob and Helen argue about the directions. It sounds exactly like a married couple except in this case, the van is moving at an uncontrollable speed, which makes the scene extremely funny. The argument’s pace is faster as a result. I find it quite dramatic how Bob is ashamed to tell Helen that can’t bear his family being taken from him. As noble as it is, he feels that it contrasts his very nature. Helen’s kiss helps him understand that he has just lived up to his superhero name more so than ever before. As good as the story moments are, the characters that act out the tale allow us to emotionally connect with what we are watching

The whole film has amazing character developments. Bob regrets his desire for a normal life while Helen, who had no desire to settle down, puts her new housewife life first and has to rise to her former glory as a superhero to save her husband & their relationships within her family. Mr. Incredible comes to realize that he literally can’t go on in life without his family. It is an emotional part of the story. He has felt invincible his whole life but when he thinks his family is dead, he breaks down. Just as Tim Allen did not portray a stereotypical space hero with Buzz, Craig T. Nelson does not portray a stereotypical superhero. He sounds like a regular guy. His voice matches the character’s appearance very well. I love little moments of his performance such as when he is impressed that Dash didn’t get caught at school. Oscar-winner Holly Hunter sounds more like a mom than a superhero and that is perfect for the character. Jason Lee did a great job as Syndrome. I love how the villain in this movie retains his claim as the number one fan of the protagonist. We saw a similar story motif in “Batman Forever” with The Riddler. Syndrome is a reputable villain however and one of my favorite performances from Lee in this film that displays this is the line “The baby’s sleeping.” Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as Frozone argues with his wife in trying to find his super suit is sidesplitting. Bud Luckey’s voice makes Rick Dicker sound so reputable. "The Incredibles" and the Oscar-nominated animated short "Boundin'" that accompanied it was the first time I took notice of him as an artist at Pixar. Wallace Shawn’s performance reminds me of his character of Vizzini in “The Princess Bride”. John Ratzenberger’s role at the end of the movie is satisfying as another Pixar tradition continues. One appealing element of the movie I wish to point out is that superpowers of the characters reflect their personalities and/or roles in the film. Bob is the strong father figure while Helen has to stretch herself out in raising a family. Violet is self-conscious and shy while Dash has little boy energy. Jack-Jack on the other hand is full of potential. Frozone is cool and Syndrome is phony. In this movie, human beings are the main protagonists for the first time in a Pixar film and advancements in skin & the simulation of hair took another step forward.

In “The Incredibles”, other advancements in filmmaking are made and the score is very noteworthy. So much happens in the film that there appears to be advancements with all sorts of CGI elements like fire, smoke, clothing, etc. A record number of settings had to be designed and then many times, they are used only once such as the church. I am fascinated by the realism of the aquarium behind Edna at one point and the family members treading water in the ocean during another scene. Michael Giacchino’s score should have been nominated at the Oscars. His work establishes the mood in the opening scenes amazingly well. I love the music during the opening logos for Disney and Pixar. The musical score is the star of the aforementioned montage depicting the positive change in the lives of the Parr family after Bob gets his dream job. I also applaud the score when Helen rides the pod into the base. The final shot of the movie is so cool thanks to the score and the movie concludes on such a high note as a result. “The Incredibles” doesn’t really fit into the Pixar universe but in “Finding Nemo”, a girl in the dentist’s office is reading an “Incredibles” comic book. I would like to think therefore that “The Incredibles” is a popular comic or movie in said universe. In many animated films, you see the number A113 such as on the license plate of Andy’s van. This was the classroom number at CalArts where filmmakers like Lasseter, Bird and Tim Burton got their start. It is fitting that you see and hear it in this film many times as well.

Bird can direct all sorts of action as evidenced by "Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol" but he is a genius with animated action and storytelling. I bet that Warner Brothers will forever kick themselves having let this movie and its director go out of their hands. I got to see this film in IMAX upon the release of its sequel and it was even at the same multi-screen theater where I saw "The Incredibles" for the first time 13 and a half years earlier. The IMAX screen did make the scenes that take place in large rooms quite believable but it was the surround sound that made the whole experience incredible, even for a show I had seen so many times before. “The Incredibles” is in my top ten list of favorite animated films and the musical score by Michael Giacchino is in my top 15 favorite scores. This show is also my favorite movie from 2004. The story of this animated movie is very relatable and it teaches some important family messages. The characters are perfectly designed for the story and the actors were well cast. Bird could have used Hollywood superstars to play superheroes like DreamWorks later did with "Megamind" but instead, he used great actors that could make these characters come to life. I am in awe of the advancements made in animation as well. This movie introduced me to Brad Bird and he & his animation team succeeded in adding hipness and coolness to Pixar. This Pixar film needed a sequel the most but only if it could be done right. I ended up getting my wish. Disney acquired Pixar in 2006 with the understanding that Pixar would look into making sequels. As a result, “Toy Story 3”, “Cars 2” and “Monsters University” were created among others. Bird for a time was open to a sequel but he desired ideas that are better than the original before proceeding. I was happy about that. Pixar could have made a sequel without Bird but it is obvious that they didn't want to. Bird was the key to success in terms of a sequel. For a time, I had accepted the reality that a new film would probably not happen. Besides, I really didn't want to risk the original being ruined by a bad sequel. After making "Tomorrowland", Bird announced that he was in fact making a second Incredibles and it ended up being good enough that the original will remain a masterpiece.

5 Stars out of 5