2004 | Dir. Brad Bird | 115 Minutes
"No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid. I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes?!"
Superhero husband and wife Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl and their family struggle to adapt to civilian life after masked heroes are outlawed by the government. Disengaged with his unfulfilling office job, Mr. Incredible soon finds himself ensnared in a scheme to eliminate former superheroes perpetrated by a deranged ex-fan. Mr. Incredible and his family must learn to fight for their lives together to save the world from this emerging threat.
Director Brad Bird delivers not only one of the very best Pixar Animation Studios films but also one of the best superhero films ever. Unlike any Pixar film that came before it, stunningly animated with a clean visual style akin to art deco. It is an action-packed ride that takes after Silver Age comic books at the forefront, and a solid family drama at its heart.
With sitcom star Craig T. Nelson as Mr. Incredible, Holly Hunter as Elastigirl, historian Sarah Vowell as Violet, and child actor Spencer Fox as Dash, the primary voice cast has the chemistry needed to bring the Barr family to life as they become a new superhero team. Jason Lee is appropriately quippy and obnoxious as the supervillain Syndrome. The supporting cast also features Samuel L. Jackson as Mr. Incredible's best friend the ice-powered hero Frozone in a show-stealing performance, Elizabeth Peña as Syndrome's seductive aid Mirage, and director Brad Bird as the iconic eccentric fashion designer Edna Mode.
The Incredibles is funny, thrilling, and an overall delight. It is an excellent demonstration of the capabilities of the computer animated medium and a prime example of what a good superhero story ought to be.
JOHN RATZENBERGER AS...
- The Underminer
A113
- Mirage directs Mr. Incredible to Room A113 at Syndrome's compound to be briefed for an assignment
FRAGMENTS
- As presented in the film's prologue, the concept of superheroes refusing to register with the government and subsequently the outlawing masked vigilantism is heavily influenced by Alan Moore's renowned graphic novel Watchmen, predating Marvel Comics' Civil War crossover event that shares similar themes by several years
- After the final battle against the Omnidroid, legendary animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston make a cameo appearance praising the Incredibles and Frozone for doing it "old school"
MCU CONNECTIONS
- Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and The Marvels)
