Taking up pretty much where the last film left off, Bob, Helen, and the whole Incredible family are in hot water for the havoc they’ve been wreaking while saving the world, and even the super hero witness protection program is folding. Luckily, a rich benefactor named Winston (Bob Odenkirk) and his genius-inventor sister, Evelyn (Catherine Keener), step in with a plan to bring supers out of hiding and back into the light.
To do that, they need Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) to don her tights to pull some major super hero moves while Mr. Incredible stays home to be Mr. Dad to daughter Violet (Sarah Vowell), son Dash, and baby Jack Jack, who is just starting to come into his own powers. Mr. Incredible is feeling more like Mr. Second Banana being relegated to the side lines, but Pixar is famous for doing a protagonist switcheroo for its sequels: Finding Nemo became Finding Dory, Monsters University was about Mike instead of Sully, and Cars 2 followed Mater rather than Lightning McQueen. I think it’s a great idea, in 2018, to give Elastigirl top billing (even if it’s still the 60s in the Incredibles’ universe), but I wish they had kept that messaging consistent enough not to have her waist be about the same size as her neck, or to have her fighting crime in thigh-high pleather high-heeled boots that would have Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman blushing.
Other than those qualms, Incredibles 2 (they dropped the The!) is a pretty fun ride. It feels less emotionally complex than some of Pixar’s most beloved offerings, and Matt thought Elastigirl’s new kickbutt attitude came at the expense of a real character arc for her. But Incredibles 2 is full of giggles. There were a lot of kids in the audience around us (some of them in adorably muscled Mr. Incredible cosplay), and they laughed at the most unusual, nonsensical times (not just the fart stuff!), which made me grin as well.
Baby Jack Jack is not a new character but the sequel finds him in the process of discovering his new powers, which both thrills and terrifies his proud and exhausted dad. Jack’s powers include but are in no way limited to: combustion, levitation, duplication, and laser eyes! The more ridiculous his powers, the funnier it plays. He’s a baby AND he’s a weapon of mass destruction! Imagine having to babysit that!
Incredibles 2 isn’t quite as incredible as its predecessor but it’s got some really cool set pieces (planes, trains, and incredimobiles!), and both the old guard and new friends are fun to spend time with. Most of all though, I have to say the animation itself was spectacular. You can see the wrinkles in Mr. Incredible’s linen shirt. That’s how specific and crisp the animation is – what a discernible difference 14 years makes! Incredibles 2 is a visual delight and has massive appeal for the whole family, whether you’re super or just really, really great.
I saw the film today (review is finished and will be posted tomorrow) as I enjoyed it while the audience I saw it with were having fun and we clapped for it in the end. We also loved the short Bao.
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I loved Bao too – I kind of had tears in my eyes for the first scene of Incredibles 2!
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I was in tears for that short. It was so great.
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I watched the film in Hanoi and the audience really enjoyed both Bao and Incredibles 2.
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Ahh I’m looking forward to seeing this film, but in the uk we have to wait a bit longer for the release!
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But don’t you guys have the Jurassic World sequel already?
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I think we do, yeah
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Yay! Glad you’re giving it the thumbs up, I did like the first one.
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Argh, the UK still has nearly a month to wait for this! I’m so happy to hear that the sequel holds up though, really looking forward to seeing it.
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If you wait that long to show a movie in China, everyone will have already seen a pirated copy.
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That’s very true Paul, haha!
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I’ve never actually seen the first one–Tristan was only 6 and he found it so intense that we had to leave!
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Aw. Just goes to show how long it’s been between sequels!
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I loved the first one. I’m looking forward to seeing this.
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A word of warning: Incredibles 2 may not be safe for photosensitive epileptics.
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Loved the first one. So looking forward to see this!🙋
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Believe it or not, this is playing at a drive-in near me. I’m thinking of going.
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Oooh! I really wanted to see this last weekend but no grandkids available! I love taking them to know the laughter is coming from someone(s) I love. 💕
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I am so excited for the new Incredibles film, we’ve waited so long for the second part in the story x
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