It’s Been 14 Years Since the First Film, But “Incredibles 2” Was Worth the Wait

 

JUNE 20, 2018

OK, let’s get to the main question.  Is it any good?

Oh, yeah.

I know it’s been 14 years since the Pixar animated classic “The Incredibles” debuted in theaters, but the Brad Bird-directed Oscar-winning film seemed destined for a sequel.  And now we have it.

Even though the wait has been so long for the second chapter, “Incredibles 2” picks up the story just minutes after the first film concludes.  Being a superhero is still illegal, and the Incredibles family — Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson), his wife Elastigirl (Holly Hunter)., their teen daughter Violet (Sarah Vowell), their bratty son Dash (Huck Milner) and their toddler Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) are stuck in a superhero version of the witness protection program at a rundown motel.

When they learn that their protection program is about to end, they are at a loss until they are rescued by telecommunications tycoons Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his inventor sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener).  Both are superhero fans and want to overturn the superhero ban.  Winston puts them up at one of the Deavors’ many homes, with one condition — the face of the ban overturn has to be Elastigirl, as it seems that Mr. Incredible has caused too much damage in his efforts to save the city to be a plausible front man.

Although Mr. Incredible wishes his wife well, the Deavors’ choice hurts his ego, leaving him to be the stay-at-home dad which proves to be far more taxing than his superhero work.  He screws up Violet’s relationship with a potential boyfriend, struggles with Dash’s “new math” and, most alarmingly of all, learns that Jack-Jack has super-powers as well during his fight with a neighborhood raccoon (an old-fashioned cartoon battle that’s one of the best scenes in the film).

Meanwhile, Elastigirl has her own problems with the rise of super-villain Screenslaver.  It seems that this villain hypnotizes innocent people into carrying out his evil deeds, and her capture of the bad guy would enormously help the campaign to restore the superheroes’ legal status.

A quick note:  Disney has responsibly put out a disclaimer that is supposed to be posted at “Incredibles 2” box-offices that there are strobe images (and there are a lot) that could trigger seizures for patrons who are afflicted with epilepsy.  Please take this seriously.

OK, back to the movie.  It’s a welcome return to animation to writer/director Brad Bird, who had a flirtation with live action with “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” (good) and “Tomorrowland” (not so much).  It’s his singular vision with such animated films as the first “Incredibles,” “The Iron Giant” and especially “Ratatouille” that has cemented his reputation as one of the brightest animation directors out there.  The script by Bird is smart, as well, even if it’s a bit overlong (at nearly two hours, it could easily lose about 10 minutes or so), and despite all of its action, the third act drags a bit.

The voice cast, most of whom reprise their roles from the first film, are top-notch, and the production design is mid-century-modern heaven.  And a huge shout-out to Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino whose spectacular big-band score here is an absolute blast (especially if you like brass, which I do).

And I am coming around to the idea that superhero films is ideally done via animation.  After seeing almost every DC or Marvel movie fall apart in the third act when our flesh-and-blood heroes, with whom we have connected, turn into CGI robots for the final rock’em-sock’em finale, it’s refreshing to see, in the animation world, that no such transformation is necessary.  The characters, whom we have come to know and love, fight their own battles, and the result is much more satisfying than its live-action counterparts.

While “Incredibles 2” lacks the fresh surprise element of the first film, it is still a welcome antidote of the sameness of so many of the summer’s tentpole films.

GRADE: B+