CATRIONA PAUL at the Movies.

WHAT’S SO incredible about The Incredibles? Here is a kids-adult crossover movie that loses the magic as it spreads its bets and plumps for wisecracks and family life over superhero splendour.

A lot of adults enjoy going to kids’ movies. In the beginning, the idea may simply have been to give the little ‘uns a treat. But the delight and adventure, the colours and characters were refreshing to tired eyes. So, the big movie companies started slipping in a few jokes for the older audience. But now, now we have movies that prioritise knowingness and prefer playing with expectations rather than rejoicing in their absence.

Mr Incredible is married to Elastigirl and they have three children – Dash and Violet and Jack Jack. Their respective powers are strength, bendiness, speed and invisibility. (The baby’s powers will no doubt become known in a sequel.) But for fifteen years, they have had to hide their powers and live ordinary lives because they cost the American government too much in law suits.
  
Mr. Incredible got fat and moved into insurance; Elastigirl’s butt got big and she became mumsy. Dash got defiant and Violet hated not being normal, hiding behind a goth fringe. Luckily, a new threat is in town that requires them to come out of hiding and find a way to juggle family roles and superhero powers. Not surprisingly, they are all a lot happier when they learn to be themselves – that is their full, superhero selves. Unfortunately, getting back to super status takes most of the movie. In the meantime, we’re supposed to chuckle along with the “normal” difficulties of family life.
  
Stereotypes aren’t really that fun, especially for younger audiences. The digital animation is expensive and flawless, the voices (including Holly Hunter and Samuel L. Jackson) fine, but the film lacks sparkle. And at Christmas time, isn’t that what we’re all after?
  
THE INCREDIBLES

Director: Brad Bird
Writer: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 121min
Country: USA
 

© Catriona Paul, 2004