Title: The Incredibles
Year Released/Rating: 2004 PG
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee
Directed By: Brad Bird
Written By: Brad Bird
Genre: Children's animation
Star Rating: 5/5 stars
Where I Got It: We own it
Trivia:
- Jason Lee (Buddy/Syndrome) recorded his vocals in four days, while Craig T. Nelson(Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible) recorded his vocals over the span of two years.
- Brad Bird was listening to Public Radio International and heard Sarah Vowell, a frequent contributor to the PRI program "This American Life". He felt her voice was perfect for Violet even though she had never acted before. To convince her, Pixar animators animated one of Vowell's segments from "This American Life" and sent it to her.
- Samuel L. Jackson was cast as the voice of Frozone because Brad Bird wanted the character to have the coolest voice.
- When Elastigirl is attempting to discern the location of Mr. Incredible in the island's command center, you see her looking at an energy consumption grid. You then learn that Mr. Incredible is on Level A1, in Cell Block 13, or A113. Previously in the film, Mr. Incredible has a meeting in Conference Room A113 before the second Omnidroid fight. A113 is a frequent Pixar in-joke based on one of the room numbers for the animation program at Cal Arts.
- Seen attending Bob and Helen's wedding are (left to right) Gazerbeam, Edna "E" Mode, and government agent Rick Dicker sitting in the front row, as well as Dynaguy, Stratogale, Thunderhead, and Metaman in the pew behind them. The latter four have one thing in common: they're all seen later (for the last time) in flashbacks within Edna's "No Capes!" monologue. In the superhero database on the DVD, it says for those same heroes Edna mentioned, "Died in action, suit malfunction."
- The Incredibles (2004) is the first, and thus far only, Pixar movie NOT to feature a distinct appearance of the Pizza Planet truck. Many people claim to have spotted it, but screen caps only show blurry, "Rorschach test" images, and nothing that can be clearly identified as the Pizza Planet truck. Lee Unkrich has confirmed that the truck does not appear.
- In the beginning of the film, when a robber is going through a woman's purse on the roof of a building, a Mr. Incredible Pez dispenser can be seen among the items scattered on the ground.
Summary: A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.
Review:
A truly underrated Pixar movie. Many overlook it in favor of Monsters Inc or Toy Story (both of which I do love). This movie has an understated elegance about it. The story of a family struggling to make it and fit in is gorgeous. I love the message of being true to yourself. All of the references to superheroes, comics, and spy movies are amazingly fun! And of course it's hilarious. A great family movie.
Best Bits:
- Lucius: Honey? Honey: What? Lucius: Where's my super suit? Honey: What? Lucius: Where - is - my - super - suit? Honey: I, uh, put it away. [helicopter explodes outside] Lucius: *Where*? Honey: *Why* do you *need* to know? Lucius: I need it! [Lucius rummages through another room in his condo] Honey: Uh-uh! Don't you think about running off doing no daring-do. We've been planning this dinner for two months! Lucius: The public is in danger! Honey: My evening's in danger! Lucius: You tell me where my suit is, woman! We are talking about the greater good! Honey: 'Greater good?' I am your wife! I'm the greatest *good* you are ever gonna get!
- Mr. Incredible: No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!
- Lucius: [Bob and Lucius are sitting in a parked car, reminiscing] So now I'm in deep trouble. I mean, one more jolt of this death ray and I'm an epitaph. Somehow I manage to find cover and what does Baron von Ruthless do? Bob: [laughing] He starts monologuing. Lucius: He starts monologuing! He starts like, this prepared speech about how *feeble* I am compared to him, how *inevitable* my defeat is, how *the world* *will soon* *be his*, yadda yadda yadda. Bob: Yammering. Lucius: Yammering! I mean, the guy has me on a platter and he won't shut up!
- Edna: You need a new suit, that much is certain. Bob: A new suit? Well, where the heck am I gonna get a new suit? Edna: You can't! It's impossible! I'm far too busy, so ask me now before I can become sane. Bob: Wait? you want to make me a suit? Edna: You push too hard, darling! But I accept!
- Kari: [on phone message] Hi, this is Kari, sorry for freakin' out but your baby has *special needs*.
- [after seeing Jack-Jack's superhero outfit] Helen: What on earth do you think the baby will be doing? Edna: Well, I am sure I don't know, darling. Luck favors the prepared.