The Incredibles, best superhero movie?

[The Morningstar]

For me it's right up there. I love everything about it. Great characters, cool story with a awesome villain. Amazing animation and imaginative visuals. I could go on and on.

Your thoughts?

 

[El Payaso]

Funny parody. Far from something special in the superhero movies genre (if we accept it as a genre).

 

[Soapy]

It's definitely one of my favorite superhero movie. Probably somewhere in my top ten.

 

[flickchick85]

It's definitely right up there for me. The only superhero I love more is probably The Dark Knight. But I'd say I enjoy The Incredibles just slightly more than Iron Man and Spider-man 2, so yeah, I guess that would put it at #2 for me.

 

[The Morningstar]

Funny parody. Far from something special in the superhero movies genre (if we accept it as a genre).

It's more than a parody though. It's a loving tribute. And has some of the best character development in any superhero movie.

 

[jmc]

Doesn't get mentioned nearly as much as it should simply because it didn't originate from a comic book. I believe it's the 5th highest grossing superhero flick of all time if my memory is correct.

 

[The Morningstar]

Yea didn't it make like 700 million?

 

[The Morningstar]

I think my favourite scene in the movie is when they get back to the city to fight Syndrome's robot, and Bob doesn't want his family to get involved in the fight. Where he says he's not strong enough to lose them again. I get really choked up there, it's just so heart warming and genuine, where it could easily become cheesy and schlocky.

Also, I really think Jason Lee's Syndrome is an excellent villain. His motives and plot are pretty well done, as far as over the top supervillains go. And I like his little character quirks, like when he drops the bomb off the water fall, that movement with his hand, you must know what i'm talking about? I just think that's a cool little quirk.

I'm going to make some gifs from the film.

 

[The Morningstar]

Edit

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I see so many people saying it's one of the best, and I've seen it top a few 'top superhero films' lists on the internet - and I've never understood why, because to me it's just got all the qualities of a great disney/pixar movie, not all the qualities of a great Superhero movie neccesarily.

I mean, it's funny, heart warming, with a strong message about family at it's centre. It's everything a kids movie should be (though personally, if we're voting for animated superhero films, I'd vote Bolt ).

But I enjoy Superhero films with a bit more substance than a kids film CAN have.

 

[The Morningstar]

I think Incredibles has a lot of substance and depth. Like pretty much all of Pixar's movies it has adult themes and subtext underneath it all.

It's got a lot of relatable things for adults. Mr Incredible's journey can be seen as a guy fighting against a mid life crisis, even impotency. Elasti-Girl dealing with insecurities about Bob's fidelity.

 

[DarthDaveBanner]

Its the best Fantasic Four movie never made. Just like Robocop is the best Judge Dredd movie never made.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I think Incredibles has a lot of substance and depth. Like pretty much all of Pixar's movies it has adult themes and subtext underneath it all.

It's got a lot of relatable things for adults. Mr Incredible's journey can be seen as a guy fighting against a mid life crisis, even impotency. Elasti-Girl dealing with insecurities about Bob's fidelity.

Like I said, it's very family themed. And I certainly didn't question how relatable it was for all ages.

But by substance I don't mean subtlle subtext - I mean exploring social and political morals/dilemmas. Having darker themes than can be explored in a children's movie. Having villains of less 'parody' and more terrifying threat. Creating a rich feel of how the setting is in fact the world around us etc etc. Even to the point of having fight scenes that are more intense and tangible than can ever be achieved in animation.

There are limitations to any kids movie.

Yes, you can offer metaphor or subtext on certain things. But you can't deny that there are certain subjects that a kids movie can never touch.

And because of that, it just won't ever be the best Superhero movie to me. I enjoy superhero movies, exploring adult themes a lot more.

 

[El Payaso]

It's more than a parody though. It's a loving tribute. And has some of the best character development in any superhero movie.

Parody, tribute, homage.

I wouldn't put Get Smart above James Bond.

 

[SuperFerret]

How about reconstruction? It takes the same themes as Watchmen and turns them on its head, so instead of tearing the archetypes and mythology down, the Incredibles builds it up and stands as an example of why people love the mythos of the superhero.



Also, many parodies are far better than what they parody. I'd take any episode of Get Smart over either of the newest Bond movies.

 

[The Morningstar]

It doesn't matter what came first. So you're saying the original is inherently better than a satire or deconstruction or parody?

The Incredibles has elements of all three things and not just the superhero genre, but the family sitcom genre. But it's a great superhero movie in it's own right.

It's the best execution of the superhero family concept. It deals with all the issues that come with a family really well, like Dash's at school, learning it's not always about being first place, that his powers shouldn't be used to show off, to use them responsibly. Also like i said before it deals with Bob having a mid life crisis, wanting to relive the glory years, wanting to relive them through his son. Helen becoming insecure about his fidelity. All real, relatable issues for children and adults.

Syndrome is a great villain I think. His ultimate plot was cool, killing all the real superheroes so he could become the last one left, then eventually make everyone super, so no one is. The motivation, a fanboy sidekick wannabe turned away, is unique and it links in well with Bob's character arc too. I thought he posed a pretty good threat, he wasn't remotely bothered about being responsible for the deaths of children. Well he revelled in it in front of Bob. One of Disney/Pixar's best villains IMO.

Most importantly for me it was just full of charm and warmth. It's a really positive movie, anti-cynical. It's amazing that completely computer rendered characters are more easy to connect with and root for than a lot of their live action counterparts.

For me, it's the perfect balance between relatable real world issues, and the perfect example of pure superhero escapism and mythology.

 

[jmc]

Parody, tribute, homage.

I wouldn't put Get Smart above James Bond.

That's because Get Smart is crap.

 

[OsGom]

The Incredibles had all the elements that both FF movies lacked as far as Super families are concerned. It also had better pacing and better action that the majority of superhero films out right now.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Parody, tribute, homage.

I wouldn't put Get Smart above James Bond.

Like JMC said...

That's because Get Smart is crap.

^This (Hell, Steve Carrell barely has any consistency of character in that film)

Funny story, I'm 100% with JMC here. El Payaso, you're completely wrong if you think The Incredibles is just a "funny parody". Clearly, you were half asleep during that film, it's fairly brilliant, like so many other Pixar movies. I'm not an avid Pixar fan, but The Incredibles and Wall-E are far and away some of the most derivative and unique films I've ever seen. They also don't pull their punches, they are more than family films. The characters in both those films are crazily well developed.

I don't see how it's really a "parody" or "tribute" either. Sure it resembles certain other superheroes, but that's like saying X-Men was a "parody" and "tribute" to the Doom Patrol or that Punisher is worse than The Executioner. The Incredibles are their own thing.

Which begs an interesting question though: could the Incredibles become part of the MU?

 

[Thebumwhowalks]

I don't see how it's really a "parody" or "tribute" either. Sure it resembles certain other superheroes, but that's like saying X-Men was a "parody" and "tribute" to the Doom Patrol or that Punisher is worse than The Executioner. The Incredibles are their own thing.

Which begs an interesting question though: could the Incredibles become part of the MU?

When the Ff film was released, I read an article in a sci-fi magazine about the production, and Avi Arad said that when The Incredibles was released, Marvel came very close to suing Pixar. It is extremely close in concept to the FF, a family of four superheroes, and only one superpower is different.

Anyway, I do like the Incredibles, but when it comes to superhero films, I prefer watching the live action 'serious' ones. I spent my whole life reading comics, and watching animated versions of superheroes, wishing they would make great live action films that took the material seriously. Part of me is still amazed that these films exist, because I waited on them for so long. So, it's rare that I'll put my dvd of the Incredibles on, when i feel like watching a superhero flick.
I do still watch a lot of superhero cartoons though, but there is the trade off that you get lots of cartoons, like comics, whereas with live action films, you only have a few hours of top quality material out there.

as for the parody aspect of the Incredibles, it hovers on a fine line i think. There are random things like the 'Mole Man' popping up, that don't make much sense apart from as a parody/tribute, but mainly it sticks to a logical story, so it leans more to the actual superhero tale I think, albeit, very derivative of Watchmen and the FF, enough of a similarity to say that they are a tribute to the established superhero tales we all know.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

When the Ff film was released, I read an article in a sci-fi magazine about the production, and Avi Arad said that when The Incredibles was released, Marvel came very close to suing Pixar. It is extremely close in concept to the FF, a family of four superheroes, and only one superpower is different.

That's pretty idiotic considering Marvel (and Stan Lee) could be accused of exactly the same thing multiple times over.

 

[SuperFerret]

Nothing under the sun is original anymore. They wouldn't have a case.


And damn you all for forgetting the classic TV series in favor of Steve Carrell.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Nothing under the sun is original anymore. They wouldn't have a case.

Yup. Plus it really is different enough. Was The Incredibles origin even similar? I don't remember it. Even still, Fantastic Four didn't even become a "family" right away. Initially only two members were related, and Reed and Sue's kids were not members until recently.

And damn you all for forgetting the classic TV series in favor of Steve Carrell.

I didn't. One of the worst aspects of that movie is Steve Carrell basically plays himself, and only plays his character sparingly.

 

[SuperFerret]

The Incredibles never gave origins for the characters (aside from the kids, which is only if we assume it's genetic).

And El Payaso never specified the movie or the show.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

We are in a movie forum. I figured it was a safe assumption.