Twenty years ago, an animated feature film premiered and changed how audiences viewed the Superpower family. The film enticed us with ordinary characters who happened to be “supes” on the side. The images flooded us with the idea of how normal these extraordinary people could be if given the chance. They were flawed, funny, and fearless. They had everyday problems that needed to be addressed. They made mistakes and bickered with each other. They fell in love, had children, and were continually torn between two lives and identities. They were shunned and not always popular. They were “old school” and caught in between two worlds until they were needed once more. It was brilliant and made audiences dream again about the possibility of who might be living among us.
I remember sitting in the dark movie theater in 2004 thinking how much I could relate to this family. Their craziness in dealing with each other could have been my own life. It was a blast to see that mirror image except for super strength, elasticity, speed, invisibility, and “demon” fire traits. Oh well…a girl can dream. Billy Bird, the writer and director for Disney’s Pixar studios created a massive hit with the delightfully entertaining THE INCREDIBLES which won the first Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
I have several favorite scenes that make me laugh every time which includes Frozone (Samuel Jackson) when he is calling out to his wife for his super suit. “Honey, where’s my suit?” Cracks me up every time because it is so typical of the double-edged tone between husband and wife. The voice of Frozone’s wife is portrayed by one of the HR supervisors at the studio. (You never know what will happen on a routine day at Pixar.) I also found myself totally in love with the little boy on his tricycle watching Bob Parr mangle his car in the driveway. I would be waiting and watching too for something extraordinary to happen.
The Parr family unit is perfection with casting Craig T. Nelson as Bob, Holly Hunter as Helen, Sarah Vowell as Violet, and Spencer Fox as Dash who finished recording all his lines in just two days. By contrast…it took Craig two years to complete his voiceovers. The chemistry between all of them was easy listening even at their most tense, bickering times. It was a smart film to showcase how married partners make their love for each other work through good and tough times. The team effort was hilarious and fun to watch all four adjust and find their super connections to each other.
Syndrome was modeled after the director’s, Billy Bird, body shape. Billy took it all in stride and had a great time being sketched as the nemesis. I must admit I never took him too seriously. I did, however, think the out-of-control robot that learns and evolves was far more scary, deadly, and dangerous. Syndrome had a lame name for a whiny, rich kid. “Go home, Buddy.” Everyone cannot be a superhero.
One of my treasured characters was costume designer Edna Mode voiced by Billy Bird. Edna was drawn with the fabulously, creative, eight-time Oscar winner Edith Head. Her point of view about clothes, fabrics, marriage, and affairs of the heart kept me constantly chuckling. Her delivery added depth, reality, and incredibly bossy moments, especially when it came to capes. Good call “E.” I guess Syndrome never got your memo on this topic.
THE INCREDIBLES was actor-driven, but the background locations and attention to specific details made this film extraordinary. Racing with Dash across the island, listening to Holly Hunter speak in spy/aviation code chatter, marveling at Wallace Shawn as Bob’s cheap, annoying boss, seeing Violet’s hair continually draped over one eye, and the heartbreaking facial expressions of “almost “losing loved ones were some of the brilliant touches that made this movie stand out against so many other animated features.
THE INCREDIBLES is simply a special, supes spectacular classic that lives up to its name. Being the first to win gold in its category set the bar very high for others to follow. It is storytelling at its best. Filled with wit and outstanding visuals, it is truly a masterpiece that can be streamed again and again on Disney+.
