MOVIE - THE INCREDIBLES - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10)
VOICED BY - Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Helen Parr/Elastigirl), Samuel L. Jackson (Lucius Best/Frozone), Jason Lee (Buddy Pine/Syndrome), Wallace Shawn (Gilbert Huph), Sarah Vowell (Violet Parr), Spencer Fox
(Dashiell (Dash) Parr), Brad Bird (Edna "E" Mode) & Elizabeth Pena (Mirage).
DIRECTOR/WRITER - Brad Bird
The Incredibles is the latest effort of the Pixar animation studio that has brought us previous animated hits like Toy Story and A Bug's Life. These movies, and other recent animated films like the Shrek series, have had two things in common: 1) better than average story lines with cross-generational appeal and 2) mind blowing graphics. The Incredibles has more and less of both.
With each subsequent release of this new generation of animated films the "wow" factor is diminished. The story takes on greater importance as a result. The first half of The Incredibles is great stuff. A combination of Dilbertian drudgery, mid-life crisis and social commentary the story delivers rapid fire laughs and angst in equal measure.
Its the second half of the movie that stumbles as it takes on an eerie resemblance to a Hollywood blockbuster action movie. The wit is replaced with action scenes, destined for inclusion in the subsequent video game, leading to the "thrilling" redemptive conclusion.
While most of the animated movies follow the same formula, to be honest, the problem with The Incredibles is that it's more obvious. When the leading edge graphics no longer "wow" and the stories are no longer better than average the real appeal of these animated films disappear.
The Incredibles is an entertaining movie that is slightly better than the average Hollywood film but not by an incredibly big margin.
Running time - 115 minutes
Alternative Reviews:
Roger Ebert's Review
Peter Travers / Rolling Stone Review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
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