jasond

So I saw the Incredibles on Saturday. I have to say, as a comic book fan, I've heard this story before. The concept of superheroes forced into retirement and then coming back again when a threat raises it's head goes back to The Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. The superhero team as a family goes back farther to the Fantastic Four.... but you know what? It's still one of the best movies I've seen all year and one of the best superhero movies of all time.

Brad Bird, whom was responsible for the excellent Iron Giant, really made a beautiful homage to superheroes (and James Bond oddly enough, but it fits surprisingly well). It avoids old, tired gags like how a pair of glasses/small mask is enough to create a secret identity, or how useless the guy with the power to talk to fish is (though it might have been appropriate coming from the company that made Finding Nemo). Superheroes exist, there's no mocking of the inheriant silliness of putting on garish costumes (save for a couple of good pokes at capes) and using your powers to help the world. Obviously the people involved loved comics and superheroes and didn't care to try to poke fun at them, which was what I was afraid of when I saw the teaser trailer of Mr. Incredible struggling to put on his belt a year ago.

So get off your duffs and go see it. "You tell me where my suit is, woman!"