The sequel to Disney Pixar’s The Incredibles (2004) picks up right where the action left off, with the family of supers facing off against The Underminer. Suspending animated reality for 14 years, Incredibles 2 retains the appeal of its predecessor while adopting the issues relevant to a 2018 audience.
Incredibles 2 pushes gender diversity in the workplace to the fore and champions working mothers, as Incredibles matriarch Helen Parr aka Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter) takes the lead as breadwinner. Elastigirl is presented as the front-woman for tycoon Winston Deavour’s campaign to legalise supers, the Katniss Everdeen of superheroes if you will. Thus leaving husband Robert (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) quite literally holding the baby.
Parenting done right is its own form of heroing. A poignant sentiment from the inimitable Edna Mode (voiced by Director Brad Bird) as Mr Incredible’s assumption that raising kids is “easy” soon has him eating his words in the wake of teen angst, homework and sleep deprivation.
There’s a layer of relatability to the family of Mr Incredible and Elastigirl that will resound with every mum and dad watching this Disney Pixar triumph. The daily effort to be the best parent we can be, to not only be a good dad or a good mum but in fact be super. Coupled with the internal struggle that comes with one parent sacrificing a piece (or twenty) of him or herself to allow the other parent to follow their career, their ambition, their dream and of course provide for the family while doing it. The second instalment of the Incredibles, once again directed by the fabulous Brad Bird, touches on all these issues.
Of course with such a giant gap between the first and second movie, the enemy too has evolved and Pixar have more than picked up on it, delivering a movie that fits in with the flow of 2018 perfectly. The Screenslaver is who the Incredibles must defeat, a villain who uses the very screens we all submit to on a daily basis to take control of minds and lives. Astute and expertly in tune with the flavour of life as we know it, the movie narrative impresses in its awareness of how technology permeates our existence across so many spaces, from the entertainment we absorb to the transportation we depend on.
In a world where screens have become a substitute for real connections, the Incredibles are here to remind us of what truly matters in life and those are the people in it. Samuel L Jackson’s super cool Frozone reprises his role alongside the family of supers together with a host of fresh new superhero faces. However it’s the youngest super who really steals the show.
Baby Incredible, Jack Jack, whose powers we had a glimpse of at the close of the first movie, are finally emerging. His combination of innocence and power-infused determination in manifesting his many abilities, make for some laugh-out-loud hilarious moments during the movie. Throw in the fabulous Edna and you’ll be rolling in the aisles, daahling.
Incredibles 2 is out in Australian cinemas nationwide on 14 June 2018.
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Incredibles 2 trailer