After a lengthy absence, the Parr family (Bob, Helen, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack) aka The Incredibles are back and it’s as if they never left and that’s a good thing.
In the first installment, Mr. Incredible works as an illegal superhero by night, and an insurance salesman by the day, after Supers are declared illegal. As chaos ensues, initiated by Mr. Incredible fan turned enemy Syndrome, the Supers spring into action to return calm to the city. Unfortunately for Bob, the destruction in route to apprehending the bad guy does little to change public perception of Supers from menace to meaningful. Fast forward to 2018’s Incredibles 2, we find our Supers (Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and Frozone) still living under the radar until another city threatening event connects the team with telecommunications billionaire Winston Deavor whose passion is to return Supers to their rightful place in society, but in a more sophisticated, less city destroying fashion.
In the sequel, it’s Helen (Mrs. Incredible) instead of Bob, that’s tapped to step into the forefront to lead Supers into the new era of crime fighting. But this time, she won’t be doing it in the shadows, as supers have been forced to do in the past. Her new tycoon boss Deavor, CEO of Devtech, places her right in the crosshairs of public opinion with an updated super suit, complete with body-cam, and a super-cool motorcycle that can take her places faster and with more efficiency than an Incredi-mobile ever could. On the flipside, Helen may be enjoying her new found fame as the city’s savior but Bob struggles as he is faced with the challenges of being a stay at home dad while his wife is out living his dream and succeeding.
As Bob settles into his new role, he soon realizes the domestic life may not be as sexy as crimefighting but doubly taxing. From assisting Violet with coming of age dating life, Dash’s homework woes, and Jack-Jack’s burgeoning but uncontrollable powers, superhero work is a piece of cake compared to managing the day-to-day lives of his children.
[Light Spoilers Ahead]
The biggest a-ha of the film is the revelation of Jack Jack’s powers. Pixar gave viewers a glimpse of the youngest Parr’s abilities in “Jack-Jack Attack” but Incredibles 2 puts him on full, uncontrollable display. By far the most advanced member of the family, displaying a wide range of Super stunts, Jack-Jack steals the show and never says a word unless he’s asking for a cookie. Whether he’s keeping Bob awake at night, escaping the clutches of his siblings, or in full fight mode with thieves, the more you see the more you want providing the perfect segue into a third installment.
In the end, the Parr Superfamily reconvenes for a final showdown that will either make them the good guys in the public eye or send them back into hiding at a cheap motel.
What makes Incredibles 2 exceptional is its simplicity of story presented over out of this world animation. There’s the good guys, the bad guys and an ending that may or may not leave room for another sequel with breathtaking visuals that look eerily real.
In a time when Marvel and DC superheroes are dominating every corner of the globe, Incredibles 2 decision to pick up with the Parr’s right where the story ended offered a more “real-life” feeling other superhero movies lack. Heading in you won’t have to do mountains of research at your local comic book store into who the characters were. There’s a beginning, middle and end that’s satisfying and entertaining and won’t leave you feeling like you were being preached to.
Go see it, then see it again. It’s worth your time. If you’re planning on taking your kids, make them watch the first so you can watch the second in peace. And bring chocolate chip cookies.
BSO Grade: A