The Incredibles

Brad Bird 2004

Once upon a time superheroes were much loved, much needed celebrities that served a loving public, but then (as always happens) people got a little too litigious and they had to go into hiding and assume normal if somewhat dull new identities. But what happens if normality doesn’t suit you and you just have slip on some spandex and save the world?

I didn’t hate this film but I didn’t like it that much either. It was better than “Finding Nemo”, but considering how dire that was it’s not a hard task. I think this film is under the impression it is much funnier than it actually is. However that said, two things made this movie watch-able; Edna and Syndrome. Edna ‘E’ Mode should get her own film, I thought she was hysterical but was so underused. And since Jason Lee voiced Syndrome and Jason Lee is a God he makes the film all the more bearable. I still haven’t worked out why Samuel L Jackson was in it though; maybe those Barclays adverts don’t pay enough.

I was reminded of a good early James Bond film, where villains had mountain hideaways on tropic isles and more money and gadgets than morals. That’s probably the most interesting point I can make about “The Incredibles”.
This film was far too talky and concerned with family dynamics to be funny, rather like the Flintstones cartoons that blighted my youth, I think I’m straying from my point but you get my drift I hope. I also found the film surprisingly old-fashioned and sexist, but maybe I’m delving to depths the film doesn’t have.

Kids will love this film but discerning adults will probably be bored, I’m a discerning adult, well an adult, well ok, I was bored.