The Incredibles (2004)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Brad Bird

Writer:

Brad Bird (written by)

Release Date:

5 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Do hero, ek awaaz!! (Hindi-language version)

Plot:

A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.

Plot Keywords:

Echo | No Opening Credits | Pixar Animated Film | Robot As Menace | Frozen

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 39 wins & 32 nominations

Cast

Craig T. Nelson	...	Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice)
Holly Hunter	...	Helen Parr / Elastigirl (voice)
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Lucius Best / Frozone (voice)
Jason Lee	...	Buddy Pine / Syndrome (voice)
Dominique Louis	...	Bomb Voyage (voice)
Teddy Newton	...	Newsreel Narrator (voice)
Jean Sincere	...	Mrs. Hogenson (voice)
Eli Fucile	...	Jack Jack Parr (voice)
Maeve Andrews	...	Jack Jack Parr (voice)
Wallace Shawn	...	Gilbert Huph (voice)
Spencer Fox	...	Dashiell 'Dash' Parr (voice)
Lou Romano	...	Bernie Kropp (voice)
Wayne Canney	...	Principal (voice)
Sarah Vowell	...	Violet Parr (voice)
Michael Bird	...	Tony Rydinger (voice)

Also Known As:

The Fantastics (USA) (working title)
The Invincibles (USA) (working title)
Untitled Brad Bird Pixar Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for action violence.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish | English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS

Certification:

Thailand:G | India:U | Malaysia:U | Iceland:L | France:U | South Africa:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Québec) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-7 | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:PG | Japan:U | Netherlands:MG6 | New Zealand:PG | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Spain:T | Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Taiwan:GP | UK:U | USA:PG | Norway:7 | Greece:K

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

John Barry was originally hired to score the film in his James Bond-style, but left the project after recording only a few demo themes; some were used for theater trailers.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the family is hi-jacking the RV from Syndrome's lair they are shown huddling behind the right rear bumper. When Mr. Incredible enters the RV to attack the guards the external shot of the RV doesn't show the family, even though they were there a second before

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mr. Incredible: Is this on? I mean, can break through walls, I just can't... can't get this on...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Finding Nemo (2003)

Charming and fun

Shortly after Dreamworks screwed up with the uninspired "Shark Tale", Pixar contains its remarkably success story with "The Incredibles". And while I have to say that I liked "Finding Nemo" a bit better, "The Incredibles" is still an amazing movie.

First of all, this is because it's funny. It's not so funny that you're constantly laughing out loud, but there are more than enough good jokes in the movie to keep you entertained, and it's full of good observations about superhero movies (note all the ridiculous superhero and villain names) and references to other movies. It's also a brilliant James Bond spoof/homage, containing all the gadgets, secret island bases and crazy schemes that made early Bond movies so much fun.

Secondly, this movie has heart and charm in droves. It's full of memorably and likable characters you can really identify with and care about. Characters like Edna are instant classics. The voice acting is universally excellent, but Holly Hunter steals the show as Elastigirl. This is a movie that doesn't need toilet humor, characters modeled like celebrities, or a "hip" soundtrack...it easily succeeds on charm and style alone.

Also, I found it to be a surprisingly good action movie. The plentiful action sequences are full of energy, extremely fast-paced, and exciting, and put many a live-action movie to shame.

Finally, I also liked the tone and message of the movie. "The Incredibles" basically makes a plea against mediocrity, breaking with the politically correct idea that "everybody is special" (and thus nobody really is), and encouraging people to use the talents they have been given. I think this couldn't be more true. Not all people are equally talented (just compare Pixar to Dreamworks), but this is no reason to keep the talented people from not reaching their full potential just because it makes the less talented ones feel bad.

"The Incredibles", while maybe not as hilarious as I had hoped (though it's still very funny), is nonetheless an extremely entertaining movie, that manages to charm you wit its combination of great characters, lots of style, tongue-in-cheek attitude and good message. Highly recommended.

****1/2 of ***** stars