The Incredibles 2 (2018) (Review)


The Incredibles is often regarded as one of biggest, shiniest jewels in Disney Pixar's crown; while I never loved it as much as most and it sits rather firmly in the middle of my ranking of the studio's impressive outlay, there's no denying the sense of energy and unwavering fun found in the superhero animation. It is a pure-shot of family-friendly, four-quadrant adrenaline that reinvigorated the superhero genre, for better or worse. Fourteen years later, the Brad Bird's sequel has been unleashed upon us: was it worth the wait?

Incredibles 2 follows the Parr family as they attempt to balance civil, family life and raising their children with their determination to regain the public's trust of superheroes. When a new foe rises, intent on putting an end to the age of heroes once and for all, it becomes much more than losing their jobs for the Parrs - the entire world is at stake too.

Incredibles 2 is yet another fine addition to the filmography of the finest animation house in Hollywood. Colourful, loud, bright and brash, the fourteen-years-in-the-waiting sequel is a well-balanced, crowd-pleasing piece that will satisfy audiences of all ages: a zippy, energetic slice of the summer blockbuster pie. It's visually bold and stunningly-animated, with each frame delighting and every set piece a delicious piece of eye candy that you will giddily and gladly eat up. It's like a sugar rush: the effects may eventually wear off but it doesn't mean that the enjoyment is diminished any in the moment.

Brad Bird's helms Incredibles 2 rather well indeed. He picks up the action almost exactly where he left it, throwing us back into the fold instantly. It succeeds in delivering bigger, bold action set pieces as intense as they are exciting: Pixar really understands when to go big and bold and the opening act, in particular, achieves that well, opening with the prevention of city-wide destruction and culminating in a terrific derailing train chase worth the price of admission alone. They're all fantastically rendered and ooze a slick sense of style and vivacity, suited perfectly to both Pixar and the wider Marvel genre.

If there's a downfall to being the most consistently brilliant and sophisticated animators in the industry, Incredibles 2 shows it in its simplicity. It lacks the thematic flair of their superior work, a film that puts fun ahead of any deeper messages or themes. It's not entirely void of substance - it makes some fine points about the influence technologies have on our everyday lives, the governing of superheroes ala Civil War and societal parenting roles - but it appears a little misguided at times and more than a little rushed. Some narrative threads are left dangling and unexplored - but Bird has hinted at turning to Incredibles 3 for further answers, perhaps to cover up a number of holes in the script.

At one stage, Bird's script goes out of its way to criticise commercialism - but this is a film released from a branch of the biggest film studio in the world, accounting for almost 37% of the 2018 domestic box office thus far. It comes across as a little tone-deaf, considering that this is a line spoken in a sequel designed simply to make as much money as possible, following a film that reignited the sub-genre it is now taking aim at. It's odd, quite frankly, and a little off-putting. The villain is serviceable at best and their true intentions become clear rather early on, playing its hand a little too soon - but the script is otherwise packed with wit and humour, with a fine grasp on the returning characters and developing their arcs sufficiently. Any sequence featuring Jack Jack is a certified delight: he is a scene-stealer in every sense of the word.

Invigorating these characters further are the voice ensemble who provide the film with so much zest. Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter perform wonderfully as the Parr patriarchy once again and their children - voiced by Sarah Vowell and, in this instalment, Huck Milner - are just as charming. As a unit, the family have a genuinely strong dynamic and the chemistry between the characters is only strengthened by the strong voice work from all four. Bird is brilliant as Edna once more (making a terrific return, teaming up with the one and only Jack Jack in what is potentially the cinema duo of the year), as is Samuel L. Jackson as fan-favourite Frozone.

For a Pixar sequel, it lands middle of the road; nowhere near to capturing the brilliance of either Toy Story follow-up and not quite as enjoyable as Finding Dory; but it is a great deal better than the subsequent films in the Cars franchise and more weighty than Monsters University. It is the very definition of solid animation, one that will more than hold its own throughout the busy summer cinema season.

While Incredibles 2 has its flaws and finds itself sitting rather firmly in the middle of my Disney Pixar ranking, it is no doubt an enjoyable, thrilling and satisfying animation that develops the successful elements of the first into a bigger, more exciting sequel dripping with spectacle and packed with humour. What it lacks in narrative freshness and depth it makes up for in visual boldness and glorious set pieces, delivering a fun, energetic shot of adrenaline that helps sustain both the momentum of the Pixar branch (after Oscar-winning Coco) and the summer blockbuster window.

★★★★★★
(7.5/10)

Summary: Incredibles 2 is another impressive Disney Pixar animation, one packed with wit, excitement and spectacle. While it may not have the depth of the studio's superior efforts, it more than capably holds up to - if not surpasses - the original, to colourful, zippy, crowd-pleasing effect.