Susan Granger’s review of “The Incredibles” (Walt Disney/Buena Vista)
Acclaimed for “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters Inc.” and “Finding Nemo,” Pixar is now into 3-D human animation, relating how retired superheroes, who are living incognito in a quiet suburban neighborhood, reluctantly blow their cover of mediocrity to save the world. Because of personal-injury lawsuits, Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and his wife were forced into the Superhero Relocation Program. For 15 years, he’s been Bob Parr, a portly insurance claims adjuster who hangs out with his old ice-making pal Lucius (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), formerly known as Frozone. Helen Parr, a.k.a. Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter), has her flexibility tested as a harried homemaker juggling three children. Violet (voiced by Sarah Vowell) is a shy, insecure, alienated teen who desperately wants to fit in – when she’s not surrounded by an impenetrable force. Frustrated Dash (voiced by Spencer Fox) possesses the gift of superspeed that overwhelms other 10 year-olds. Plus there’s two year-old Jack-Jack. Then from Nomanisan Island, the villainous Syndrome (voiced by Jason Lee), creates a weapon of mass destruction to terrorize the world so that he can disarm it and become a superhero himself. Writer/director Brad Bird (“The Iron Giant”) has created an imaginative, good-versus-evil, escapist adventure that – because, like “Spy Kids,” it involves the whole family – will delight both adults and children. A former Disney animator and creative consultant on “The Simpsons,” Bird relies on caricature for his crimefighters, accenting certain movements and features, while voicing the hilarious scene-stealing designer Edna “E” Mode. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Incredibles” is a terrific, incredible 10 – a movie that really lives up to its name.
