INCREDIBLES 2 (2018)

Genre: CG Animation
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Brad Bird, Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Keener, Jonathan Banks, Sophia Bush, Isabella Rossellini, John Ratzenberger
RunTime: 2 hrs 6 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: Walt Disney
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/disneystudiosSG

Opening Day: 14 June 2018

Synopsis: Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell) and Dash (voice of Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transistion for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.

Movie Review:

Nope, Pixar Animation Studios isn’t about to disappoint with its 20^th feature length film. Furthermore, it is a sequel 14 years in the making.

In 2004, the world was introduced to Mr Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet, Dash and Jack Jack, a family of superheroes possessing extraordinary super powers. In 2014, it was confirmed that a sequel to the critical and box office success was in the works, much to everyone’s delight. Since the first movie, there has been countless superhero films and television shows – how would this movie make itself incredible to stand out from the numerous titles of the same genre

By tapping on nostalgia, of course.

Brad Bird returns as director  and we dive straight into the events following the ending of the first movie. No one has aged and the Incredibles are still operating under their superhero identity. Alas, the world has decided to make superheroes illegal and the Parr family ends up in a motel. Enter a telecommunications tycoon who proposes a publicity campaign to regain the people's support of superheroes, and there we have it – a two hour animated movie that is entertaining from beginning to end.

The animation is lovely (expect nothing less from Pixar), the action sequences are fantastic (look out for the scene where Elastigirl stops a train coming from a wrong direction), the music is charming (kudos to composer Michael Giacchino, who has done equally good work for Inside Out and Coco) and the characters are relatable.

Elastigirl is a working mother, while Mr Incredible has to deal with ego issues while he takes care of the kids at home. Violet is getting in touch with her angst while facing boy girl relationship problems. Dash is a happy go lucky boy who juggles homework and watching TV. Frozone has a naggy wife, while an assortment of supporting superheroes idolise the Incredibles. The villain Screenslaver, although not as brilliant a creation as Syndrome, is a symbolism of how we are, well, slaves to screens.

The highlight of the movie is definitely Jack Jack, a baby with a variable array of powers. A very amusing sequence sees the infant tackling a clueless raccoon while showcasing his powers, including multiplying himself, shooting lasers from his eyes and turning into a mini monster. Another fan favourite is Edna Mode voiced by Bird himself. This time, the fashionista is given the challenge of designing Jack Jack’s outfit. These two characters are pure joy whenever they appear on screen.

The voice cast does a good job bringing the characters to life. Craig T Nelson and Holly Hunter are perfect as Bob and Helen Parr, a couple facing family problems. Sarah Vowell returns as Violet, while Huck Milner replaces Spencer Fox as Dash (you wouldn’t expect a boy’s voice to sound the same after 14 years, would you?). Samuel L Jackson, Jonathan Banks, Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener add to the star power of the ensemble cast.

While it is an almost impossible task to outdo the original movie, this blockbuster is still a better offering than the recent slew of sequels (Cars 3, Finding Dory, Monsters University) that Pixar has churned out. For that matter, it is a much better superhero movie than many others we have seen.

Movie Rating:

(Make the world incredible again!)

Review by John Li