Pixar has set a new standard for animation in Hollywood. \Toy Story"" and ""Monsters, Inc."" lent new humor and insight to childhood narratives, and ""Finding Nemo"" stole Disney's title as the home studio of beloved talking animals. But now, with ""The Incredibles,"" it must be embarrassing to be any other animation studio. Pixar has not only made another instant-classic family feature, but they have created a classic suitable for any audience.
""The Incredibles"" focuses on a family parented by two retired superheroes, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson of TV's ""Coach"") and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter). The story is set in a time when superheroes have worn out their welcome and are forced to take on normal lives and jobs, in this case as an insurance salesman and homemaker. The movie follows the two superheroes and their equally gifted children as they resist the urge to fight crime and attempt to blend in. Its struggles range from the son who is blessed with superhuman speed but not allowed to try out for school sports to a super villain's attempt to wipe out superheroes.
""The Incredibles"" is surprising in its build-up. For the first hour or so, it develops the family's dynamic, while offering mostly low-key situational humor. This is handled so wonderfully, with captivating visuals and genuine depth to the relationships, it often feels more like a live-action character study than a blockbuster cartoon.
The subtlety of the movie's style initially seems like it might be lost on children and mass audiences expecting a superhero romp. But in the story's final act, the movie erupts into an extended, action-packed climax that presents a barrage of thrilling action sequences and inspired comedy that never seems to cheapen the nuance of what came before. Rather, the investment in the characters and their problems makes the more standard parts of the movie more rewarding. As a family movie, ""The Incredibles"" works hard to actually define the family.
Animated movies just aren't built like this. Even the previous Pixar outings took a less risky approach by making greater use of music and colorful visuals in its opening, while spending less time on the quiet, often miserable banality of people's, even cartoon character's, lives. At PG, ""The Incredibles"" is the first movie from Pixar to be rated above G, and it is also their longest movie and their first feature to focus on human characters. Even taking these gambles, the movie flows naturally.
Leading the way with these risks is writer/director Brad Bird, whose previous effort, ""The Iron Giant,"" flopped with a similarly contemplative approach. Aside from a funnier, more exciting and ultimately more insightful script, what makes the difference for Bird in ""The Incredibles"" is working with Pixar's superb animation team.
There's a certain tone in Pixar movies that permeates every scene. Other animated movies, like ""Shark Tale,"" feature much hammier characters. But what Pixar really does is coach strong acting performances out of computer-generated pictures. Strong writers and voice actors who aren't chosen for their celebrity leave room for the animators to focus on creating their expansive, almost magical landscapes. The way Pixar movies play with space makes them the cinematic descendants of Kurosawa and Welles as much as they are of Walt Disney.
The result of this astounding blend of styles and values is a movie that defies categorization. ""The Incredibles"" transcends the empty commercialism of ""Shrek"" and the flat, generic qualities of ""Ice Age."" But comparing it to other animated features is unfair. ""The Incredibles"" is an instant classic, and not just of family fare. It immediately ranks among the all-time great action-comedies as well. Movies of this ingenuity and charm are rare. Don't let this one leave the theaters without seeing it.
