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2018-2019 College Football Bowl Predictions
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Entertainment
Opinionated Review: Incredibles 2
After a fourteen-year wait, Pixar's latest offer feels like a letdown.
09 August 2018
574
Warning: Major spoilers for The Incredibles and minor spoilers for Incredibles 2 follow.
There's a scene partway through Incredibles 2 in which a snarling, ravenous raccoon dukes it out with a superpowered child. As that scene came to a conclusion, the proverbial sinking snuck its way into my stomach. "That's it," I thought. "That's the movie's high point." And yet even the pinnacle of the entertainment the film had to offer left me with a question: "Is that it?"
That question pervaded my first viewing of Incredibles 2. Every time I thought something interesting might be about to happen, every time the stage seemed set for something really cool, the film starts heading toward the interesting idea. But every time it stops halfway there, pats itself on the back, and moves on. Battles end before they ought to. Dramatic moments end before they ought to. Even characters' roles in the film are over before they've been fully realized.
If Jack-Jack or Helen Parr was your favorite part of the first Incredibles movie, then you might walk away satisfied. But Dash's tomfoolery and Lucius's sass are barely part of the movie, because their characters are barely in the movie. Mr. Incredible isn't as incredible this time around, in part because his quick thinking, genre savviness, and critical reasoning skills, which saved him as often or more than his muscular physique in the first film, are nowhere to be found.
Why is it that this sequel, which had so much of the time-intensive groundwork for these characters laid for it in the first film, struggles to make each of them feel like a valuable and necessary part of the plot? It might be because we're introduced to an entirely new (and significantly less interesting) cast of supers (which are now called "superheroes," because Disney owns all the rights to everything).
These new differently-powered individuals are a particular sore spot for me, because in addition to having no character (why set aside screen time for multiple characters with no discernible goals, motivations, or personality traits beyond "this is my superpower," Pixar?), they violate one of the core themes of the first film: that remarkable people are, paradoxically, normal people, with all the weaknesses, jealousies, mistakes, and quirks that come with being human.
For all the amazing feats the Parrs are capable of, at the end of the day their kids can still go to school and blend in with everyone else, because they are like everyone else. These new supers? Well, a lot them don't even seen human. Again, not just because they lack the personality and motivating factors that put the character in characters, but because many of them are clearly not "normal" people.
Like, there's one who's really just an owl with a humanoid shape. And there's one very large and odd-sounding individual of indeterminable sex. And there's a squat, toad-looking man who vomits lava. Again, you'll notice I don't have anything more to say on these characters beyond the things that make them stand out. Certainly nothing like a name given enough prominence to be remembered, which is a privilege reserved for actual characters, like those in the first Incredibles movie.
One exception to this is a young super "named" Voyd, who actually does have some character and whose power is interesting, fun to watch, and should be familiar to a certain brand of cake-loving gamer. I wish we could have had her independent of all the others, because she might have actually added something to the ensemble rather than just being superpowered noise in a film with too much stuff to give anything enough time to feel important.
If the cast of Incredibles 2 is stuffed with unnecessary "people" we haven't seen before, then its plot is stuffed with unnecessary things we have seen before. The story this time around is pretty much a duplicate of the story last time around, right down to the "bad guy is technologically gifted 'normal' with a tacky name who hates 'real' superheroes because blah blah natural superpowers blah blah perceived slight.
This sequel, which had a whopping fourteen years (fortyear?) to be made, would have been a great chance to see something different. With the ending of the first Incredibles indicating that both superheroes and supervillains are beginning to crawl out of the woodworks due to the Parrs' actions, and all that movie's thematic baggage about the roles exceptional people should play or be allowed to play in our society, how cool would it have been to see an antagonist who was a "true" super? Not even a villain per say, but someone with a different belief on the part supers need to play in the world, who was willing to fight to enforce that belief? Alas, missed opportunities.
The fact that we've seen all of this before could be forgiven under the right circumstances. I had a blast with The Force Awakens, despite the fact that it was really just A New Hope in disguise. But while The Force Awakens may have stolen the plot of the original Star Wars, just as the original Star Wars copied the plot of The Hidden Fortress, it made up for its unoriginality by improving upon A New Hope in several areas. George Lucas is a very creative man, but he has never been a writer on par with Kasdan, nor a director on par with Abrams, and Episode VII reflected that.
But Incredibles 2, rather than copying the shape and improving upon the substance of the original, feels like a pale imitation of The Incredibles: the same song played on a more aged instrument. The genuinely dark and gripping moments of the original Incredibles (Bob surviving by hiding under the bones of a dead friend? Bob threatening to straight up kill the woman who enlisted him? Syndrome blowing up a child-carrying plane over a minor grievance? Violet jumping in front of her younger brother to take the bullets meant for him?) are not reflected anywhere in this sequel. Perhaps it is in the nature of dark things to not be reflected, but I digress. The point is that Incredibles 2 lacks the guts, the drama, the tension of its predecessor: possibly because, as noted above, nothing is given time to breathe.
It doesn't help that the movie commits the cardinal sin of wiping away all the progress made in the previous film, as if the narrative stakes there were never important, just so they could tackle the same issues again, in a much more annoying fashion. The whole affair is prefaced by a brief video from the Pixar team that produced the picture, promising the audience that the film took a long time to make, and that it's worth the wait. No confident film ever begins with a claimer about how great it is, because movies that are good on their own merits don't need to influence your viewing of the picture by telling you how great they are beforehand.
Side Note:Bao, the other short video preceding Incredibles 2, is delightful, and I hope you all enjoy it if you decide to see the movie.
In the end, The Incredibles was one of my favorite movies of all time, and I'm bummed that I waited almost fifteen years for The I Guess It's Okay-ibles.
One last thing I should mention before concluding my review, because I know this is something that will rub some of you the wrong way: if you were hoping you could catch a break from Trump-era soapboxes during your trip to the theater to see Incredibles 2 with your family, well…you'll probably be disappointed.
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Arts Entertainment
Sorry, Marvel, But The Best Super Hero Movie Of Our Generation Is 'The Incredibles'
Sorry, not sorry, but Pixar did it better.
11 July 2018
76
If you haven't seen "The Incredibles 2" at this point, crawl out from under whatever rock you call home and get yourself to the theater! The second movie, like its predecessor, was a box office hit on opening weekend. I personally loved the movie and thought it was worth waiting nearly 15 years for. However, I didn't think that it was quite as good as the first one (despite still being amazing), which got me thinking about the original movie. And that is how I reached the conclusion that Disney/Pixar's "The Incredibles" is the best superhero movie of our generation.
For starters, "The Incredibles" has the coolest match of setting and style. The setting, though it can be argued about, is thought to be the 1960s, but with a technological spin similar to that of Tomorrowland at Disney World. It's cool because the way the story is done — the music, the action scenes, the credits, etc. — copies the style of cartoons from the era. You go, Pixar!
Second, all of the characters have powers that match their stereotypical roles. Bob/Mr. Incredible has super strength because based on the traditional American family, he's supposed to be the strong one that runs the family and makes them money. Helen/Elastigirl can stretch herself a million different ways — sound familiar to any of you moms out there? Violet is a young teenager who is going through her first crush, so obviously she can turn herself invisible — something that every kid that age either feels like they are or wishes they were. She can also do forcefields, which is a nice little tie in to the idea that she grows stronger and more confident as the movie progresses. Dash, the sporty, show-off young son has super speed, which is fitting for the all-American family type idea. Jack Jack has a whole bunch of different powers because, like every baby, no one knows what he'll grow up to be yet.
Let's also talk about Syndrome's computer password: Kronos. Quick reminder from Greek Mythology, Kronos was a titan and father to Zeus (and 4 of the other gods). He ate his children because he was afraid that they would become more powerful than him, but they tricked him and ended up defeating him in the end. OK, now stay with me and imagine that Syndrome was Kronos. His end goal was to destroy the supers, make himself super, and then sell his inventions so that everyone could be super. BUT, Mr. Incredible, Frozone, and the family stopped him, kind of like Kronos. It doesn't match up exactly because the supers technically came before Syndrome, but it's close enough to let Pixar play with your mind a little bit.
Now let's go back to the idea of Syndrome selling his weapons to make everyone super. That little scheme ties in nicely with a conversation in the car between Dash and Helen; Dash says "Dad always said our powers are what makes us special." Helen, who has obviously had this conversation with him before replies with "everyone's special, Dash." Dash says under his breath "which is another way of saying no one is..." The whole idea of whether or not supers are better than normal people and who is "special" undercuts the entire movie if you're looking for it. And honestly, I think that the movie comes to the conclusion that, whether someone has super powers or not, everyone is special because of his or her unique abilities. Yay for a classic Disney message.
Another good reason that "The Incredibles" is the best is because it ages with you. I was a six-year-old when it came out. I love it just as much now at 20 as I did then. Why? Because I still find it relatable. At six, I just loved it because of the Disney factor. As I got older, I began to really relate to Violet, so I loved it for that. Now, I catch all of these amazing details that make it even more amazing than it was before. Remember Violet's crush, Tony? I bet you didn't realize that his voice cracked because it was changing when he asked her out at the end when you were a kid. And I'd say you totally missed how hilarious the scene with Frozone's wife was too. And you probably missed how important one of my favorite scenes from the entire movie was: the "I can't lose you again!" scene.
That scene is honestly what sets this movie apart. I was talking about it with someone the other day and he said "yeah, that scene is what makes it more than just a super hero movie. I mean, you could take that scene and put it in a football movie or a musical or anything really and it would still make sense." Bob admitting that he wasn't strong enough and drawing strength from his wife sends a very important message: that it takes an entire family to make things work, that just one person isn't enough. Here lies the most important theme of "The Incredibles": how to fix a broken family.
Maybe Marvel is your jam or you're a huge DC buff, but for me, "The Incredibles" will always be the best superhero movie of our generation.
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Entertainment
I've Waited 14 Years For 'The incredibles 2' And It Was INCREDIBLY Worth It
Pixar. Thank You!
27 June 2018
28
It has been 15 years in the making, but Pixar Animation has finally graced us with the sequel to "The Incredibles." If you, by any chance, have been living in a hole and haven't seen any of the commercials for it, this sequel picks up directly where the first movie left off. We finally get to find out what is going on with the Underminer. This movie truly exceeded all of my expectations. I have to admit "The Incredibles 2" might actually be better than "The Incredibles."
This movie completely fulfills all of our childhood dreams as we get to see our favorite superhero family together again and back in action. From the battle with the Underminer to the relationship between Violet and Tony Rydinger, there are so many amazing things about this movie. We get to see more growth between Bob and Helen, as well as seeing the kids grow up a little more too. Plus how can you not love to see Jack Jack back in action and exploring all of his powers. Yes, Jack Jack has powers!!!
This movie was truly phenomenal. The writing was amazing from the storyline to the comedy it was all around a wonderful script. My inner child was freaking out the entire time. This was a great experience because we got to see a new side to some of our favorite superheroes, while still being able to stay true to the characters that we already know and love.
Now, I can't forget about one of the best people, Edna Mode. Your favorite superhero fashion designer is back and better than ever. She is still as fabulous and crazy as ever. In this sequel you get to have some more time with her and see some new crazy designs and inventions. The scenes with Edna have always been my favorite, but I love her even more now than I did before.
Now, with every movie there always comes something that we can nit pick at and I only have one small thing. "The Incredibles" became so renowned for the conversation between Lucius and his wife about his super suit. Now this one nodded to that, but for a scene that was so iconic in the first one, I was expecting just some more of that. Even with this, I still give so much love and praise to this movie.
Pixar you have outdone yourselves and my inner child couldn't be happier with how wonderful this movie was, especially after such a long wait. This is definitely a movie to go see in theaters. Don't wait until it is out because you will be missing out. There is just something about going to an actually theater.
In the end, this movie was completely worth the wait and I give much props to Disney and Pixar because the fact that they literally picked up from exactly where they left off 14 years ago is a testament to how great and amazing this movie and this company is.
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Travel
14 years later But "the incredibles" are finally back
The supers are back and ready to be seen in the world, but at what cost?
18 June 2018
71
Disney/Pixar Animation Studios
The world of supers are finally back, and it only took 14 years for them to deliver a sequel to the cliffhanger we were left with in 2004.
The last time we saw Mr. and Mrs. Incredible/Elastigirl (Bob and Helen Parr), and super-powered kids, was after the defeat of Syndrome in a city doomed to be destroyed by his massive Omnidroids. With the help of Frozone, Mr. Incredible's best friend, they were able to destroy the metal monster and save the city. After he realizes his plan was foiled, Syndrome devises a new plan. In an attempt to kidnap Jack-Jack, the youngest Incredible, Syndrome is overpowered by the baby's newly manifested (and uncontrolled) powers as he flies toward his plane. Unfortunately for Syndrome, the fight ended in his ultimate downfall – being sucked into his own plane's engine.
With the Incredibles, and Frozone, now feeling a sense of worth for their super-powered selves, they look back on their work and are happy they all worked together to save the city. Amidst their celebration of a new and less-cautious life three months later, a large drill-driven vehicle emerges from the ground with a small mole-man declaring war against the surface. This left us with a sense of wanting more, and Disney definitely made us wait for whatever action-packed story was to come next.
Now, 14 long years later, we are brought back to a world where supers are coming out of hiding to help the world. However, this new sequel presents a new look on the Incredibles' family dynamics, with Helen Parr (Mrs. Incredible/Elastigirl) fighting crime in order to provide for her family. This new take on the story really addresses the difference in the times each film was made and released. With "The Incredibles" being released in the early 2000s, the typical family life depicted on the big screen was still mostly a man providing for the family, all while the wife stays home to cook and clean. Although the original did show the family all working together to defeat the villain nearing the end of the movie, the main premise showed Bob Parr bringing home the money and working on a daily basis.
We can even see this on the poster for the movie, where Mr. Incredible is the center and larger than the rest of the family, being the main leading role. Whereas for the poster created for "The Incredibles 2", Mr. and Mrs. Incredible are side by side – showing that they are equally important main characters.
"The Incredibles 2" includes the struggle of a man who was used to providing for the family through work but has turned into the stay-at-home dad. Assuming Helen Parr raised Violet and Dash, their older super-powered children, Bob now has to learn how to deal with his youngest offspring's blossoming abilities while Elastigirl saves the world. Jack-Jack, as seen in the first movie, exhibited a variety of metamorphosis powers that the babysitter, Kari, witnessed and left multiple voicemails about the "weird stuff" that had been happening on the Parr's cellphone. With the ability to turn to heavy metal, transport into thin air, burst into flames, and transform into what resembles a gremlin who got wet, the viewers can see how this can be a challenge.
So the real question here is, why did this sequel take so long to release? Was it to build up the suspense and excitement for those of us that love this super-powered family? Or perhaps was Disney unsure of what exactly they wanted the challenge to be in the second film?
Either way, anyone who has seen the original in 2004 are both surprised and excited that this sequel was FINALLY released. Now, after 14 years of waiting, was "The Incredibles 2" all it was hyped up to be?
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