This sequel to the beloved The Incredibles is just as amazing and fun, and dare I say it, worth the wait.Sure, 14 years have passed since we last saw the super family, but in the filmverse, no time has passed at all. And thank god for that, because we finally find out how the Underminer is dealt with!
The Incredibles are back out in the open, and are attempting a rebranding of superheroes in hopes of legalising their status, with the support of wealthy siblings Evelyn and Winston Deavor. However, hell-bent on keeping superheroes illegal and out of public business, the hypnotising villain Screenslaver is determined to stop them.
This film is one of those rare sequels that lives up to, and perhaps exceeds, everyone’s huge expectations of it. Incredibles 2 delivers on as much adventure, joy, hilarity, and empathy as its prequel, and all while keeping it all beautifully centred on its core examination of contemporary family life.
This time round, Elastigirl gets to be in the spotlight, allowing for a welcome exploration of reversed gender dynamics (let us not forget the franchise is set in the early 1960s!), as well as unpacking the more personal challenge of being away from home for the first time since having children.
Bird uses Incredibles 2 to tease out some more provocative ideas, such as questioning the morality of breaking laws believed to be unjust, or whether people’s electronic addictions are a tool to passivity and blind conformity.
However, this is just extra depth to the true pleasures of the film, such as the slapstick comedy of Jack-Jack’s antics, or the easy-flowing repartee between the Parrs, and ‘it’s funny because it’s true’ moments.
Jack-Jack’s slapstick comedy steals many scenes, but Bird still finds time for the film’s more vulnerable moments, those which ground it not as another superhero film, but rather a family one. It’s something The Incredibles did wonderfully, but it’s a particular highlight of its sequel.
The franchise’s lovable characters are all back and better than ever, including fan favourite Edna Mode, who once again provides some A+ sassy humour.
Overall, it’s as we all had hoped. Incredibles 2 is wildly energetic, joyously funny, witty, and comforting. It’s everything the first one was, and it’s just as good – which for a sequel, is a tall order. Brad Bird absolutely delivered, and we thank him for it.
Incredibles 2 is out tomorrow, distributed by The Walt Disney Studios.
First published on The National Student