Movie Notes: The Incredibles

July 14th, 2007

The Incredibles

= 5 stars

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After seeing Ratatouille I thought a second look was in order for The Incredibles, a Pixar animated extravaganza also directed by Brad Bird. It’s a near perfect combination of epic adventure and funny family melodrama.

I really love the movie’s retro 50s, 60s look that recalls old comics. There are some Sean Connery era James Bond elements (especially in Syndrome’s island hideout), and the character designs recall the stop motion animation of Rankin / Bass.

The look of the whole film is exaggerated to heighten the point of particular scenes or character attributes (the definition of caricature). Mr. Incredible is ridiculously top heavy, and his body shifts from flab to muscle demonstrating his struggle to be super with the sad reality of middle-age. Violet is a stick figure with a long mane of hair that obscures her eyes, emphasizing her shy nature (her super power is invisibility). Edna Mode is a tiny, strange puppy - even just her ridiculous walk is hilarious to watch.

In terms of scene exaggeration, Mr. Incredible’s work life is visually represented by a cubicle and car too small for him, depicting a confining lifestyle keeping him from saving the world. Even the way his pencil cup falls off his desk speaks of dejection.

The story seems based on a simple question: how would superheroes cope with the “real world” - especially if two of them got married and started a family? The conflict between being a superhero and the dull real world provides a parallel plot alongside the usual heroes-fighting-a-villain one.

This conflict is the basis for many of my favorite jokes: where characters attempt super feats but are brought back down to earth. Mr. Incredible is so fat from his years away from crime-fighting that he can’t squeeze through a small opening. Then he throws his back out.

Another joke along these lines is when Edna Mode introduces the superhero outfits she has made for Elastigirl and the children. Her presentation launches missiles, fire, and explosions at the costumes, but the humor lies in the totally inappropriate idea of sending children into harm’s way. I find it funny to see the look on Elastigirl’s face trying to reconcile the thought of exploding children - is she a mother or a superhero first? The exaggerated visual look of the sequence, plus the real-world / super conflict, is why I find it hilarious.

Even small details like character names are funny. Take Mr. Incredible’s superhero friend “Frozone” - who freezes water from the air - his name suggests “freezing” and “ozone.” But he’s also voiced by Samuel Jackson who plays many characters with funny hair-dos, from totally bald in the Star Wars prequels, to his curls and facial hair in Pulp Fiction. To put the “fro” in “frozone” is a perfect touch to a cool character.

(This also points out the inherent ridiculousness of superhero names. When Edna Mode explains why capes are bad, she runs through a list of unfamiliar yet funny monikers [Thunderhead, Stratogal, Dynaguy, Splashdown] all heroes killed by their capes in stupid accidents.)

Another strength of The Incredibles is its basis of the suburban family. When we first see the family around the dinner table, their behaviors are instantly recognizeable from many other films and sitcoms - Dash is in trouble at school. Dad doesn’t pay attention and gripes about money. Violet is aloof and uninterested. The jokes come as super-stuff is introduced to this familiar situation. Dad cuts through the kitchen table and Mom’s arms elongate to keep the kids from fighting.

Because of this family concept, we can easily relate to the characters’ choices that move the plot forward. Mr. Incredible is tempted into Syndrome’s trap partly because of his boring job. Elastigirl initially suspects he’s having an affair (the stereotypical worst fear of a housewife) or a midlife crisis, which leads her to investigate things for herself, and eventually involve the whole family in fighting Syndrome.

But back to Ratatouille - Pixar seems to determine the look of each film in service of the story. Rataouille had a smaller tale to tell and had a more intimate approach. The whole idea of superheroes calls for a more epic feel, hence the funnier and broad style of The Incredibles. I’d love to see a sequel.