Lionel Morales
Well done Pixar…well done. After 14 years, Incredibles 2 thrusts the viewer right back into their world without skipping a beat. You’re immediately reminded about what made The Incredibles so great as Pixar continues to masterfully blend action, humor and emotion into an accessible movie that appeals to the kid inside all of us.
While Incredibles 2 ultimately falls just short of its beloved predecessor, its massive set pieces, beautifully choreographed action sequences and several hilariously creative scenes propel this movie to heights that even the first Incredibles didn’t reach. Unfortunately, its potential is weighed down by a weak supporting cast and villain, unnecessary political commentary, and an excessive focus on the struggles of adulthood. Just like in The Last Jedi, political commentary doesn’t add to the movie but rather serves to take you out of the fantasy. I’m watching a movie about a cartoon family of superheroes and don’t need to be reminded about hot button real world political issues. The references however were not nearly as deliberate and on the nose. Similarly, we all know parenthood and raising a family is hard. This movie takes that notion and beats you over the head with it without any real resolution, which makes you question why it was so central to the story. Lastly, the Screenslaver pales in comparison to Syndrome due to a lack of personality and a weak attempt at a backstory. Sadly this results in a failure to evoke any empathy or interest in the utterly forgettable Screenslaver, despite how cool they seemed at first.
Now that I’m done nitpicking, this is still an excellent movie and a worthy addition to the Pixar vault. Yes, it’s a safe film with a predictable plot that doesn’t take many risks. However, it’s executed so well overall that you can clearly see that the creators have a true love for the characters and the world they’ve created. Their excitement and passion can be felt by the viewer, leading to a wholly enjoyable cinematic experience.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 8/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 10/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 10/10
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Ranking Order:
The Incredibles – 8.9/10
Incredibles 2 – 8.5/10
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