Pixar has a knack for exploring the wonders of childhood and converting them into animated features that appeal to adults and children. The world of superheroes gets the Pixar treatment in "The Incredibles." A generation ago, America had a legion of crimefighters who assisted law enforcement whenever they were needed. When Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) rescues a suicide jumper, the jumper successfully sues him, and he and his super friends are forced into retirement. Mr. Incredible marries Elastagirl (Holly Hunter), live their lives as Bob and Helen Parr, and have three children. Bob works unhappily in the claims department of an insurance agency, where he quietly helps people get money for their claims.
He and retired superhero friend Lucius Best (Samuel L. Jackson), who worked as Frozone, quietly spend their evenings coming to the rescue of those in need. Bob, however, gets in trouble when his boss (Wallace Shawn) connects the insurance payouts to Bob. However, a mysterious woman named Mirage (Elizabeth Pena) offers Bob more lucrative work, which allows him to resurrect Mr. Incredible. His job is to test a robot, using his super strength to test its weaknesses. What he doesn't know is that the robot is the key part of a plan by an evil inventor named Syndrome (Jason Lee), who holds a grudge against all superheroes. Helen, though, sees through Bob's lies, and comes to his rescue. She also brings her two oldest children, Violet (Sarah Vowell) and Dash (Spencer Fox), who have super powers of their own.
Writer-director Brad Bird puts a modern spin on the superheroes of the comic books and movies. The courts may have forced them to lead "normal" lives, but these heroes will use these powers for good any chance they get. I especially like the sequence where Bob and Lucius rescue the tenants of an apartment, only to fall into a jewelry store. It's Lucius's quick thinking that keeps the friends from being arrested. It's a film full of good-natured wit. When Bob has a frustrating day, he thinks about taking the day out on his car. A neighbor boy sees Bob lift his car, but Bob quietly puts down the vehicle to avoid further embarrassment. Even the Parrs' infant son, Jack Jack, gleefully discovers his super powers in a key scene. The animation, as it always has been in Pixar films, is bright, beautiful, and fluid. The one minor complaint I have about the film is that is seems to follow the story and super traits of the Fantastic Four comics.
I always liked Nelson when he starred in "Coach," and he shows the comic macho that Hayden Fox had. Hunter provides a nice balance as Helen, a wife who knows her husband than he knows. Jackson brings solid support as Lucius, who longs to fight crime as much as his super friends. Vowell and Fox make their screen debuts in this movie. Vowell, who is known primarily as a writer and commentator, does convincing work as a shy teenager looking to belong. Fox, like Violet, wants to belong, but he prefers to show off and act mischievously, but protests whenever teachers swear he did something. Fox makes a strong impression as well. Lee adds to the fun as the disgruntled Syndrome.
Each of the superheroes has traits that match their personalities. Like their comic book equivalents, each has a special side and an ordinary side. It's sometimes hard to say which side is which. "The Incredibles" celebrates the heroes of the comics and movies in Pixar's unique animation style. It also honors the family and the uniqueness of each member in it. "The Incredibles" is the kind of fantasy many children have, and the secret dream some adults still harbor. No day can be completely bad when the fantasy touches the reality, as "The Incredibles" accomplishes.
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