Incredibles 2
/"The Screenslaver interrupts this for an important announcement."
Filmology Rating: 3.33 out of 4
The cinematic world of caped crusaders looked rather different back in 2004 when The Incredibles was released: the X-Men came out of hiding and went onto having a sequel, Spider-Man swung onto screens in a battle against the Green Goblin and Batman went on the run after the technicolor misfire of Batman & Robin. There were no cinematic universes and the superhero films were in the earliest stages of becoming a genre onto themselves. The world in which Incredibles 2 is released is incredibly different; we have seen three different actors play Spider-Man, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a successful 19 film run, and the DC Extended Universe has had a creative shakeup after the divisive run that Warner Brothers has produced. It could seem to some that Incredibles 2 might not be as special anymore with a new superhero film being released every week but those people would be gravely mistaken.
Picking up directly after The Incredibles, superheroes are still outlawed and it’s difficult for the latest superhero family to come to terms with that after saving Metroville twice from sinister villains. A duo of telecommunications tycoons hopes to change the law that has outlawed superheroes, believing the world to be a safer place with them in it. While the public perception of superheroes seems to be changing, the mysterious Screenslaver has more sinister plans for the returning supers.
Brad Bird, the director of Incredibles 2, proved with his previous films that he is a mastercraftsman when it comes to making action set pieces. The only issue with Bird having the title of a mastercraftsman is that it is nearly impossible for him to make something better than he already has; Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is still one of the best action films ever made. The action in Incredibles 2 starts out strong with the battle against the Underminer and then gets even more kinetic with Elastigirl trying to stop a runaway train. For those who go to superhero films for the jaw dropping action I think you will find yourselves slightly disappointed especially with the third act battle which doesn’t feel as fresh as the rest of the film.
Every moment that Incredibles 2 shines away from the spandex and focuses on the humdrum of everyday life is where the film excels. The humanity on display in Incredibles 2 is in many ways humbling to the human spirit. To watch Bob Parr struggle with his own vainness while trying to always be the supporting husband is incredibly comedic and moves slowly because of how relatable it feels. It’s always a struggle when you have a significant other who is achieving all of the goals that you have always wanted to; you might feel a sense of bitterness even slight betrayal, but you know that you need to put your selfish ego aside to help support the construct you helped create. Every moment with Violet Parr also felt incredibly human, what do you do when the powers you have make a negative impact with your love life. While everyone would have a different solution to the problem, the way in which the teenage girl handles them feels heartbreaking and, once again humorous. The reason why so much of the humor in Incredibles 2 works is because of how relatable it is.
The one huge glaring misstep with Incredibles 2 is the villain: Screenslaver. Screenslaver gives a monologue during the second act which feels like it should have more of a punch to it but it falls rather flat since the character can never seem to actually back up his actions with any true force. Syndrome, the villain from the previous film, had the perfect mixture of comedic timing and pure sinisterness that made him a compelling villain. It also helped that his motivations seemed completely human, making the audience in some sense root for him, wanting him to get the glory he rightfully deserved yet not wanting him to go fully megalomaniac with his aspirations. You never truly understand the pathos of Screenslaver, while you do get a monologue explaining the characters motivations you never actually feel like they believe the ideologically that they spew.
While I adore The Incredibles I never thought that I needed a sequel to the film, it was a near perfect film that explored domestic life while also being a compelling superhero film. Incredibles 2 shines when it focuses on the domesticity of life and the parallels that we all face whether that be dealing with our first heartbreak, trying to find a new job, or trying to take care of a new baby. I never thought living an ordinary life could be in many ways so incredible, but after watching Incredibles 2 I have a new appreciation for the so called mediocracy of domesticity.
Rating: See It
-Jonny G