In this
article:
- Review of The
Incredibles movie and DVD/Video
- The Incredibles Software
and Video Games
- Our Favorite Game based
on The Incredibles
- Jack-Jack
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| The
Incredibles Identity
crises seem to go hand and hand with superhero-dom. Disney/Pixar's
The Incredibles certainly explores this theme, with
its focus on a family headed by retired (laid off!) superheroes who
are forced to live their lives denying who they really are,
and posing as a "normal" family. Viewers can
easily feel the family's general discontent with their new way of
life, perhaps most apparently when Mr. Incredible (as alter
ego Bob Parr) is all too easily pulled back into the world
of superhero-dom, so much so that he is initially willing to
live a double life in order to do just that. The
Incredibles marks the first for Pixar in a couple of ways:
the movie stars humans as the main characters, and it's
Pixar's first PG-rated film. Officially, the PG rating comes
from the movie's "action violence" (which includes
machine guns). Allusion to extramarital affairs is another
more mature theme. |
The Incredibles
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
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The
adventure begins with both Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl (and all
the other superheroes) doing what they do best. (When the story
skips to 15 years later, these would be considered their "glory
days".) For a number of reasons, of which Mr. Incredible's
"number one fan" who liked to be called IncrediBoy topped
the list, Mr. Incredible got sued. This sparked one lawsuit after
another, costing the government a lot of money. The solution? The
Superhero Relocation Program. Superheroes were to live new identities
amongst "ordinary" folk.
While
still superheroes, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl took their vows, so
that when the action resumes 15 years later, the couple is a
full-fledged family with three  kids. Two of their children have
clearly developed superpowers: Dash, a precocious little boy, is
acting up at school. After all, he is not allowed to play sports for
fear that his powers may be uncovered. Violet, their timid teenage
daughter, who might have been best described as a "shrinking
violet", has the ability to both make herself invisible and to
draw up force fields around her. Jack-Jack is still a baby,
apparently without superpowers.
Mr.
Incredible is clearly discontented with his job as insurance
adjuster, can't completely resist his attraction to crises, and more
often than not ends up hanging out with his friend (the former
superhero Frozone) listening to police scanners. This is probably
why an offer to come out of superhero retirement, delivered by a
mysterious woman named Mirage, is one he can't refuse. After his
first mission (one that is hidden from his family), he is
rejuvenated—he begins training again, buys the family a new car,
and embraces his life with newfound happiness. However, it isn't long before
Mr. Incredible discovers that he is being "had", while
Mrs. Incredible begins to fear her husband is having an affair. (Her
suspicion itself puts Mr. Incredible in more serious danger—a situation that
reminds me of the myth of Psyche and Eros).
The
second half of the movie is high-energy action. The action is
especially fun to watch when the family is doing the "superhero
thing" as a group (you can almost feel their triumph at doing
what they do best), giving new meaning to the concept of "the
power of the
family". Mr. Incredible's nemesis, who calls himself
Syndrome, is bent on not only becoming a superhero (he even stages a
heroic deed), but releasing that ability to every individual, so
that "when everyone's super, no one will be!"
 While
the movie earns a few chuckles at the beginning, it turns
into laugh-out-loud funny halfway through the story. Quite a few
humorous moments involve poking good-hearted fun at middle-age
issues ("Oh my aching back!"), family interactions (as the
family of superheroes are traveling full-speed ahead in pursuit of
the bad guys, the kids ask "Are we there yet?" and the
mister and missus argue over which exit to take), as well as the comic book
genre itself (Syndrome recognizes Mr. Incredible's clever tactic by
saying, "You got me monologuing!").
The
character development in the movie is rich, effectively giving the
Incredibles credibility!
Voice
acting: Craig T. Nelson does Mr. Incredible, Holly Hunter voices Elastigirl (or Mrs. Incredible).
Messages:
Power of the family, strong female character, being ordinary
(conforming) vs. showing your true colors.
The
opening animated short, Boundin', measured up to our
expectations — expectations based on previous Pixar shorts that
proved to be uplifting and funny at once. Incredibles
Review with more pictures from the movie.
Movie
Rating:
A
Release date for
The Incredibles on DVD and video is
March 15th. To buy: The Incredibles (Full Screen 2-Disc Collector's Edition)
(DVD) or The Incredibles
(VHS).
Software
 The Incredibles is available in
computer and video game format
for CD-ROM, GameCube, GameBoy Advance, XBox, and Playstation 2. Over
18 levels of action-adventure are featured, with the game's action based on
the storyline of the movie. Note that these video games are
rated T for Teen, and include some violence.
For more information,
user reviews, or to buy: The Incredibles
(CD-ROM), Incredibles
(GameCube), Incredibles
(XBox), Incredibles
(PS2).
 The
Incredibles: When Danger Calls
This version of The
Incredibles is an activity center rather than a video
game. It features 10 games, some with educational
value. Each game features the film's characters, settings,
and elements from the story line. While the video games
based on the movie (above) are rated T for Teen, this one
is rated E and is non-violent—much more suitable for
younger kids.
Why do we recommend this
title?
Although not explicitly educational, this program offers
some fun games that children enjoy.
Who is it for? Children ages 6-9.
Our Rating: A-
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: The Incredibles: When Danger Calls
at Amazon.com]
Our Favorite Game
starring The Incredibles:
 Top
Pick. For fans who happen to own the
portable gaming unit Leapster, there's an
educational game available that is based on The Incredibles movie
and caters to developing skills in second to third grade curriculum.
Leapster Game: The Incredibles
is an educational game cartridge that can only be played in the
Leapster unit. It helps kids develop grammar, spelling, and math
skills.
Children play
activities hosted by each member of the Incredibles family. As they
do, they earn keys and access cards so that they can open the fifth
activity in which the Incredibles act as a team - or a family!
Logical thinking, solving math equations, identifiying parts of
speech, spelling words, place value, and more skills are given a
workout as kids play this enjoyable game, on the go.
Why do we recommend this
title?
Because kids need to work diligently in order to unlock the
fifth activity of the game, they are motivated to keep
playing. Each activity is fun and educational.
Our Rating: A+
Those families with
young children who don't already own the Leapster might want to
consider it. Read our review
of the Leapster.
For more information,
user reviews, or to buy: Leapster Game: The Incredibles.
 Although
Jack Jack appeared only
occasionally in The Incredibles movie, most kids I know were
completely taken by the baby. The Jabberin' Jack Jack toy is
as sweet as can be. Place a soother in his mouth, and he makes cute
baby noises (very realistic). Take it out, and he becomes cranky!
Buy: The Incredibles Jabberin' Jack Jack
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