Welcome back to Sound Off!, a semi-regular column where members of Speculative Chic gather together to chat about the latest BIG THING in entertainment. This time, grab your super-suit and discuss Incredibles 2, which premiered in the United States on Friday, June 15, 2018.
Sound Off! is meant to be a reaction, but not necessarily a review. After all, while we are all individuals, even mutual love of something (or hate) can come from different places: you may find everything from critique to fangirling to maybe even hate-watching.
Now, join J.L. Gribble and Merrin as they talk about Incredibles 2. [Note: Spoiler-free!]
J.L.: I have a confession to make. I haven’t watched The Incredibles since the first time I saw it — which was 14 years ago, in the theater. Even though I didn’t realize until I saw it mentioned later online that this sequel picks up literally moments after the first one ends, it was really like no time at all had passed. I remembered these characters. I remembered this family. I remembered this story.
And if anything, this was a much, much more interesting story. It took expectations and twisted them, which is always one my favorite storytelling techniques. Though the major upheavals (Elastigirl doing the superheroics while Bob struggles with the day-to-day as a stay-at-home dad) are revealed in the trailer, both of these are deepened in the film itself rather than just played for laughs. Elastigirl uses her brains and intuition to solve the mystery, while Bob deal with everything from real-life issues, such as adolescent angst and the changing education curriculum, to issues more specific to the life of a superhero. Honestly, Jack-Jack versus the racoon was my favorite part of the movie.
Except that’s a lie. My favorite part of the movie is how this is the first new film I’ve seen all year to not only pass the Bechdel test, but also pass its more intricate version, the Mako Mori test. Elastigirl/Helen Parr has an entire narrative arc that is not about supporting a man’s story. In true idealistic/modern fashion, Helen and Bob’s stories are about supporting each other, and their family, in the best way they each can at a specific time.
And best of all? This is all in a “kid’s movie.” I’m excited to see a world run by people who grow up seeing such positive representation on the big screen.
Merrin: I have been waiting for this sequel for fourteen years. The Incredibles is far and away my favorite of the Pixar films and I’m so happy that this installment more than lived up to the first.
As with most things, it wasn’t perfect. It telegraphed the villain like…a lot. So much so that when they were finally revealed, the tiny child sitting next to me leaned over to her dad and whisper-yelled “I KNEW IT.” Yes, tiny child, we all did. Was that disappointing? Only a little. It’s a kids movie, so it’s hard to ask for a lot of subtlety, but if the tiny child next to me saw it coming, the twist wasn’t terribly effective even for kids.
It also fell back on the somewhat tired trope of a working mom and a dad left at home who is completely incompetent when faced with his own children. Granted, he’s dealing with a baby with super powers on top of the usual, but it’s the year 2018, I’d hoped for a more enlightened interpretation of gender roles.
But it’s fine. It’s totally fine. Because the rest of the movie was incredible (pun intended). Jack-Jack and the powers that totally overwhelmed Mr. Incredible stole every single scene they were in. I cried laughing in parts, especially when Bob and Jack were over at Edna’s house. (The fact that Edna is voiced by director Brad Bird just makes her funnier for me.) Violet had some very amazing and believable teenage girl moments, and I love Sarah Vowell as her voice. I really liked the reasons that Elastigirl was chosen as the face of the new supers, and the way that story line unfolded. Plus we got to meet a bunch of new supers!
This was super fun and a perfect way to spend time with my dad on Father’s Day. Here’s hoping we don’t wait another 14 years until the next installment.
Featured image via Otakukart.
I was stunned that it’s been 14 years. I remember expecting a sequel a year or two after the original and waited…and waited…and waited. (Same for ELF.) The story was more complex than anticipated, especially for an animated comedy. (The raccoon scene resonated especially considering the recent NPR raccoon incident on Twitter.) The audience we saw it with applauded at the end–a rarity. They also applauded the Pixar “Bao” feature. BTW, if you have the original on DVD, the documentaries featuring Byrd & Lasseter on storytelling and animation are outstanding.
I haven’t had a chance to get out and see this one yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. Sounds like it’s worth my time!