It opens just as the original film closed - 'the Underminer' strikes at a grade school track meet, and the Incredibles don their freshly-pressed supersuits and get to work. The story reminds us that 'supers' are still illegal, and the Incredibles fighting crime ultimately cost the city more money than if they had done nothing at all (think of all the criticisms of movies like "Avengers" or "Man of Steel" in which entire cities are destroyed amidst the chaos). The family is again put into hiding but are soon met by a philanthropist named Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) who have started a political movement as a means to raise public support of supers and pass laws to allow them to fight crime once more. Sounds pretty dense, right?
Deavor recruits Elastigirl (the always-marvelous Holly Hunter) as the face of his campaign. He supplies her with a micro-camera that she wears on her chest while saving lives, the video planning on demonstrating the benevolence of super heroes and elicit public support of their efforts. While Helen is off fighting crime, Bob - aka Mr Incredible - is selected as babysitter for their three kids. This is where the film finds a nice stroke of humor, as Bob needs to help Dash with his math and Violet with her boy problems - all the while as their baby Jack-Jack is developing an array of super powers on his own.
The film works so well in this back and forth. The comedy comes largely from Jack-Jack, a scene stealer in every way (maybe the cutest child Pixar has ever created?) as he transitions in and out of dimensions, turns to jelly, and erupts in flames as he suspects a neighborhood raccoon is actually a criminal worthy of a fight. The first film lightly touched on the baby's powers, but I was reminded that none of the Incredibles actually find out what skills he has actually developed. When Bob realizes the potential danger, he works again with Edna Mode to design a suit that has the ability to contain such unlimited powers (the scenes with Edna are once again a highlight).
I have seen so many computer-generated films, but INCREDIBLES 2 has got to be one of the more beautiful ones I have ever seen. Can an animated movie be nominated for Best Cinematography? The action scenes are hands down some of the most visually-engaging sequences I can remember in a while. The colors are so bright (as when Elastigirl and her motorcycle chase down a runaway train against a setting pink sun) and the framing is so clever that I found myself leaning forward even closer to the screen, eager to drink it all up. Every detail is there. I noticed individual threads on Bob's nightgown and the way Violet's cheeks blush when she sees the boy she likes. This is incredibly detailed work that shows Pixar's passion and sets the animation apart from anything else out there - period. We are reminded why Brad Bird (who wrote/directed this film and its sequel, as well as the criminally-underrated Ratatouille) is such a skilled director, and why his talents have worked in terms of visual storytelling. This is an exciting movie that is kinetic, fast, and gripping - everything a superhero movie needs to be.
The film has a few small faults, largely with its villain (who I saw coming a mile away) and an overly-elaborate plot regarding that character's motivations. When it comes to Pixar's villains, they rarely reach the greatness of their heroes. Likewise for the film's aesthetic. The original was so seeped in 1960's nostalgia with a strong visual style, and while this film has its moments, there were many sequences where I might have believed it to be modern day. These are tiny flaws in an otherwise wonderful movie, a sequel that nearly reaches the towering greatness of the original. It's not a high-concept movie like "Inside Out" or a heart-tugging fantasy like last year's "Coco." This is an action-packed roller coaster from start to finish. I can't wait to go back a second time!
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