June 28, 2018 – After 14 years, Pixar (a Disney subsidiary) has finally released a sequel to the wonderful animated film “The Incredibles” (2004). The characters haven't aged a day, although some of their voices have. Pixar's award-winning quality standards in terms of story and animation remain intact, and this is a very good quality sequel, with a very similar storyline to the first film.

Picking up where the first film left off, the Incredibles go after the Underminer, who robs a bank. Although the Incredibles (aided by Frozone) struggle mightily, the Underminer gets away and there is some damage to the city, which gets the team of superheroes in more trouble with the authorities. Longtime caseworker Rick Dicker is laid off when the government drops its superhero relocation program.

Just when it looks like the superheroes are outlawed for good, a friendly billionaire, Winston Deavor, offers Elastigirl (Helen Parr, married to Mr. Incredible, AKA Bob Parr) a job doing super good deeds in an attempt to win public support for the government to revoke its anti-superhero law. Mr. Incredible agrees to stay home and take care of their three kids, the speedy Dashiell, Violet, who can make herself invisible, and infant Jack-Jack, who has numerous super powers, such as laser eyes.

Mr. Incredible finds out raising three kids on his own is just about more than even he can handle, especially an infant who can shoot lasers from his eyes and become a human torch. While he is doing this, his wife, Helen (Elastigirl) is fighting crime and rescuing people, and getting all the glory. Her husband feels left out. The film mines this rich field of comic situations and human interactions, while laying the groundwork for the twists that come later in the story.

This is all very familiar ground, but the story, and the artwork are very skillfully crafted. Of course Edna Mode, tiny designer of super suits with an enormous personality, is back, but in a very limited role this time. Several new superheroes, not seen in the earlier film, also show up. This time, however, Helen Parr (Elastigirl) and Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) carry the bulk of the story, and they are certainly up to the mark.

As in the first film, the good-natured Incredibles are duped by a double-dealing villain with a hidden agenda. The good deal they accept turns out to be too good to be true. As true superheroes, though, they remain true to their ideals, and resist the temptation to use their powers for evil, or for self-serving purposes.

This is an enjoyable animated film with a message, lots of heart and humor. This film rates a B. This sequel, like the first film, could be headed for an Academy Award. I went back and watched the first film again, and one thing that stands out is the improvement in computer generated graphics during the past 14 years. Details like the appearance of hair and water look more crude in the first film.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2018 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at .