Long Live the Incredibles
Walt Disney released THE INCREDIBLES in 2004 to worldwide acclaim. At heart it is a story about a superhero family forced into denial. Once the greatest superheros ever, they have to live a quiet, stifling suburban life. This clever story was penned and directed by Brad Bird, fresh from his stint at THE SIMPSONS.
This film was the sixth Pixar co-production under the Walt Disney banner. Not only did it enjoy tremendous box office success, THE INCREDIBLES launched a massive merchandising campaign that had children and adults scrambling for everything from cups to pajamas to toys to watches. In a relatively short amount of time it has climbed its way to the Disney animated classic designation.
En route to his wedding, Mr. Incredible swoops in to save a man falling from a building. So kicks off the film as Mr. Incredible accidentally damages a passenger train in the process of saving the falling man. Promptly after his wedding, Mr. Incredible and his cohorts find out the city has been sued by the falling man (who was trying to kill himself) and the passengers on the train. Reacting to the public outcry, the government is forced to drive the superheros underground. They are forced to live quiet, suburban lives.
Craig T. Nelson, of COACH fame, voices Mr. Incredible, while Academy award-winner Holly Hunter voices his wife, Elastigirl. They have two children, Dash and Violet, who were born with super powers but are forbidden to use them. Their baby Jack Jack, seems to be a normal child, much to the chagrin of Mr. Incredible. They are all forced to live as “normal” people, working normal lives.
A crazed ex-fan of Mr. Incredible is determined, after being inadvertently snubbed by his idol, to reek vengeance. He begins to lure unsuspecting superheroes to his island lair as fodder for his indestructible superhero killing machine. Mr. Incredible, eager to get back to his former life, accepts a mission to the island to investigate. Little does he know he is being lured to his death.
On the home front, Helen (Elastigirl) dutifully maintains the home and family. She doesn’t suspect a thing about her husband’s business trips until she notices a tear in her husband’s old superhero outfit. After snooping about, she discovers her husband has broken his promise to not fight crime, putting the family in jeopardy. She immediately jumps on a plane to confront him.
As the jet soars towards the little island, we find out Dash and Violet have stowed away on the plane. Suddenly, the plane is attacked by the nefarious Syndrome. Helen has to get her children working together as a team before it’s too late. Can they band together in time to save themselves and Mr. Incredible? Can they survive long enough to defeat Syndrome? This Disney animated classic is essential for every family DVD collection.
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