Fourteen years is a long time for audiences to wait for a sequel but that’s the case here, with Pixar finally following up their earlier smash with a crowd pleasing sequel.
Of course the real world is a very different place post #metoo and the film rather neatly reflects these attitude shifts since 2004.
As usual the family are saving the day from the get go, fighting the “Underminer” (Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger) which effectively picks up from the previous film, without a pause.
The usual team are assigned to the mission, “Elastigirl/Helen Parr” (Holly Hunter), “Mr Incredible/Bob Parr” (Craig T. Nelson) together with kids “Violet” (Sarah Vowell), “Dash” (Huck Milner) & baby “Jack-Jack” (Eli Fucile). The family combine with “Frozone” (Samuel L. Jackson) to stop the evil genius digging under the city to steal all the cash.
But at what cost, just look at the mess and weren’t superheroes supposed to be illegal already?
With the whole superhero program winding down, in a surprisingly downbeat first reel, the family are left in a motel with only two weeks rent paid. Luckily a benevolent billionaire rescues them with an offer, try to restore superheroes to legal status. There is a catch, he only wants “Elastigirl”.
The screenplay plays on that very masculine foible, wanting his wife to do well but feeling somewhat emasculated by doing so. Mr Incredible quite literally gets left holding the baby, while his wife fights crime and gets all the glory.
Not that Mr Incredible has nothing to do, Violet may have a boyfriend, Jack-Jack is developing more powers than a Swiss Army knife and Dash has Math to do, not the old type….
The story may have all stay at home Mom’s cheering and makes for some very amusing scenes of learning to cope, sleep deprivation and perceived loss of status.
The action is frenetic, with many well set action sequences which will keep youngsters and adults engaged. “Frozone” is back, helping with the action and acting as a one man support system for Bob’s new gig.
As you would expect from Pixar, the animation is state of the art, sound and score all cohesively coming together in a gloriously loud mix. Like most Pixar features there is real thought in the story, interweaving complex themes into a film that ankle biters can still enjoy.
Arguably there is no real villain to hiss and boo at but we do get an extended stretch with our favourite character Edna (Voice of the director – Brad Bird), even more if you watch the mini-movie on the DVD/Blu Ray.
The film does not have the emotional heft of some Pixar movies, “Toy Story”, “Up”, “Inside Out” as examples, but this is a different action packed film and it succeeds on just about every level.
Summary
Another highly polished gem from Pixar, which cannot fail to please young and old alike, as was evidenced by a $1.2 billion worldwide box office take.
If you enjoyed the previous film as a child, you will enjoy the second, albeit you may have had kids of your own in the interim….
Jules Movie Reviews 