Welcome back to my series of Pixar reviews! Today we’ll be looking at The Incredibles, directed by Brad Bird. Not only one of my favorite Pixar films, but one of the best as well. I absolutely love this film, and if you haven’t seen it, you really should. Brad Bird is a genius when it comes to animated films. He’s done other amazing ones such as The Iron Giant and Ratatouille, and this is no exception to his talent. This is an extremely well-crafted film that blends genres you’d never think would meet. Somehow, Bird makes it work. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s talk about The Incredibles.
As far as the story goes, it doesn’t really get better than this. I think that a plot like this works so well mainly because of the characters. This was the very first film by Pixar to revolve around human characters. Sure, films like Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and Monsters, Inc. have them, but this was the first one to focus solely on them. And it shows! The characters in this film are relatable and likable, and the great dialogue only strengthens those qualities.
I cannot go on long enough about the action sequences in this movie, either. Every single one is polished to perfection and looks gorgeous. This is a very fast-paced film, and it stays true to that nature. It rarely lets up, and even when it becomes a bit slower, it’s still consistently engaging in terms of writing and story.
The music, composed by Michael Giacchino? Yeah, it’s phenomenal. This whole score is damn perfection. Now, Michael Giacchino has composed a lot of scores for Disney films, including some other Pixar films. However, this is without a doubt the best I have heard from him. I could listen to it all day long.
The animation is very fluid and cinematic. While this isn’t the first Pixar film to use the 2:35:1 aspect ratio, having it there helps it to feel more cinematic, and less like an animated film.
While there aren’t moments as emotional as ones in films such as Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc., there are still moments that captivate you just with the story. Brad Bird has shown that, yes, he is capable of connecting with viewers in a heartbreaking way. But that isn’t necessary for a film like this. However, there is plenty of humor sprinkled throughout, and many will enjoy what’s in store. The animated short film “Jack-Jack Attack” is also pretty hilarious, and I think many will enjoy that as well.
The villain, Syndrome, is one of Pixar’s best, and not because he’s well-written or has some defining quality. It’s because he knows what he is, and even pokes fun at it sometimes. In one scene, he says to Mr. Incredible, “You caught me monologuing!” It’s those smaller moments that play a key role in shaping a great villain. Another nice thing about Syndrome is that he has a history with Mr. Incredible. I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t seen it, but this dude has plenty of reason for hating Mr. Incredible. What can I say? It works.
This is also an extremely quotable film. There’s a lot of lines that are so hilarious, they’re worth repeating over and over. Bernie Kropp, Dash’s teacher, has a very funny moment near the beginning. The animation in the “Incredits” is very well done as well. I love this style of animation, and it works with the aesthetic.
THE VERDICT
I honestly cannot think of a single problem I have with this film. It’s been around for the majority of my life so that definitely is a key factor. However, when it comes down to the story, music, animation, writing, and much more, The Incredibles pretty much nails it. I’m most certainly going to give it an A+.
The Incredibles stars Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Jason Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Bird, Elizabeth Peña. Directed by Brad Bird.
