For some lore on this review series
Honestly I think The Incredibles was always going to be a hard sell for me, as full-disclosure, I’m not that into to superheroes movies. It’s just not for me. That being said I went into The Incredibles with an open-mind as it wasn’t standard super hero fare
So the question is did I like it?
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Ehhhh…. Not Super Really
For me The Incredibles is a bit like Toy Story where I understand the appeal, I get why people like it but it’s really not for me. I can respect it more than I can glean entertainment for it. That being said I did like aspects.
I think for me action scenes can become tedious so watching Dash and Violet take out Syndrome pilots just went on a little too long. So an action movie even a family-centric one is not enough for me. Again I do respect this movie more than I like it.
What/Who I Super Liked
The characters are for the most part are fine. I do think I prefer the side characters more than the Parr family but again there is nothing out-right wrong with them as a family unit or as individual trying to exist in a world that doesn’t want “supers” as part of keep society “saved.”
I didn’t love Bob as character but the mid-life crisis angle mixed with being a super-hero and the despair he feels from his life is at least interesting.
For me the stand out was Edna Mode, love her.
Syndrome was an interesting villain as he starts as a fan-boy turn rich-guy super villain who wants to be a super-hero. It’s defiantly a new angle and he has a decent amount of menace and levity. It’s always interesting to see a villain story that is started from obsession and insecurity. The dynamic is fascinating.
I also liked Mirage, gotta love a redemption arc.
Also Frozone was great.
A Super Message? Maybe
I think the messaging in the movie is a little odd. As special people a.k.a Supers are better than normal even if they worked hard gets a little muddle as the villain wants everyone to be special thus no one is.
But really the message is about family and working together which is admirable. There also the message of being one self which again is fine but does seem muddled and cliche. It’s weird to describe the message of this movie cute when its plot is on the darker side for Pixar with Syndrome’s killing off a lot of the “supers” so he can be a hero.
Though I half think the “messages” are just superfluous to the premise of retired superhero living a mundane life in the suburbs. That premise gives way to the message about family being what matters in life. That message is a natural conclusion but I think the premise more of the highlight for the movie rather than a movie about a family.
Super Mid-Century
Also a matter of preference was the art style. I respect more than I like it. I think mid-century style just isn’t my vibe. Again nothing is outright bad or wrong with it just a matter of opinion.
Also I might not be into the over use very saturated reds, gold, and black that make up the other look to the color palette. Again that is just me. If You like it that is fine just fine. Normally I don’t mind those colors or that combination, just is a little too much here.
Super Final Thoughts
If you were to tell me that The Incredibles was either your favorite Pixar movie or your favorite movie ever, I wouldn’t think less of you. This movie is just not to my tastes and that’s fine it doesn’t have to be, this movie doesn’t own me anything.
I wouldn’t watch it by choice again but I wouldn’t be mad if other people wanted to watch in a group. It’s also not on the list of movies I avoid watching, so that is something.
Quick Side- I’m unsure how I feel about Bomb Voyage. I mean French and mimes but the pun.
