The Incredibles

RATING: A+

It's not that often that we see anyone try to come up with their own superheroes. Usually, it has to be based off one of the comic-book heroes like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, or whomever. Not that the movies featuring such rehashed heroes are bad, but it's certainly refreshing whenever someone applies some creativity to the genre. The Incredibles does that, and then some. 

This is Pixar at their peak--during the mid-to-late 2000's, when they pulled out most of their best films. The Incredibles is definitely part of that echelon, and is actually my second favorite Pixar film. 

The film centers around a world of superheroes... taking place in a 1960's with advanced technology (yeah... I admit I've never quite figured that out) where eventually the public gets fed up with the damage that super heroics cause, and eventually decide to make them illegal, preferring to deal with crime on their own instead of having to pay more for damages caused because the superheroes were helping people. Yup. Makes perfect sense. No one show those guys Man of Steel. 

It is a very good twist on the genre, however, as now the superheroes are forced to live suburban life and deal with. One such former superhero, Mr. Incredible, is fed up with it--and eventually he gets called back to action by a secret facility. Only problem is, eventually his family gets dragged into it, and they're all forced back into action against an insane villain. 

The Incredibles is one of the best films in the superhero genre by far. From its exciting, adrenaline-rush action sequences, to the humor (some of it more subtle than others), to the characters--some of whom we can sympathize with--to some of the very brief yet quite honest shots the film takes at our culture, whether it's debunking the "Everyone's special" saying, or also taking shots at "supermodels." 

What superhero films besides this one, and the Dark Knight trilogy, can even compare? The Incredibles virtually has it all. I'm hard-pressed to come up with an actual flaw. There are a couple cheesy moments between Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, but such scenes will still appeal to others. It runs slightly long for the younger ones, I suppose--but it's fast-paced enough to keep them interested. Overall, the Incredibles is definitely a film that lives up to its name.