THIS REVIEW DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS
As of today, I have seen Incredibles 2 in theaters six times, the most I have ever seen a movie in theaters. Five of these times were within its first week of release. The first question you likely have out of the gate if you haven't seen Incredibles 2 by now (it has been a month, so if not, WHAT are you doing???) is "is it worth the 14-year wait?" My answer has not changed between viewings 1-6: YES.
The film picks up right where the first one ends as the Parrs are about to battle the evil Underminer. Right away, the film makes us feel like we're catching uip with old friends who never truly left. The battle against the Underminer is exhilarating and showcases some of the best team dynamics in any action movie. The heroes (including Frozone) fail to defeat the Underminer, who escapes with the money he stole, but they succeed in stopping his drill tank from destroying buildings and harming civilians. And superheroes are still illegal at the end of The Incredibles and the beginning of Incredibles 2. Since their home was destroyed at the end of the last film during the final battle with Syndrome, the Parr family has been staying at a motel provided by Agent Rick Dicker, whose agency is soon to be out of operation. Bob and Helen know that one of them needs to find a job soon, before they are out of the motel and homeless.
Enter the Deavors. Wealthy siblings Winston and Evelyn Deavor notice the return of the supers during the Underminer battle, and they plan a set of undercover missions in order to make supers legal again. Much to the woe of Mr. Incredible, who has been itching to get out and fight crime again, Elastigirl is the top program candidate, as her past crimefighting statistics show that she is a sleeker, cleaner crimefighter than the messy, destructive Mr. Incredible. Of course, after some persuasion, Elastigirl takes the job, while Mr. Incredible takes on the task of staying home with his three super-powered kids.
Incredibles 2 works in the areas where its predecessor worked and then some. The animation is gorgeous. While the first film's design and animation stands the test of time, the technology has come a long way in the 14 years since. Colors are more vibrant all-around, and the human faces have flesh tones and even tiny hairs. The action sequences are both more numerous and more dynamic this time around, and writer/director Brad Bird utilizes the animation "camera" to its fullest potential, capturing movements and angles that live-action blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War can only dream of. There is an even greater sense of urgency to the action sequences here compared to the first film, particularly in Elastigirl's solo moments, from her saving an ambassador in a hijacked helicopter to fighting the film's villain the Screenslaver, to perhaps the most memorable one of her attempting to stop a runaway train.
The film is also absolutely hilarious. Once again, the family dynamics are realistic and are all the funnier because of it. While the 2004 original admittedly has a wittier script, that is by no means a slight on the visual gags of the sequel. The scene-stealer of Incredibles 2 is baby Jack-Jack. Watching the family and other characters discovering his powers never gets old, and in the hands of a lazier filmmaker, it would have simply been juvenile. Sure, there is a poop joke, but it is earned, not crude, and doesn't overstay its welcome. The most notable Jack-Jack sequence out of many is his surprisingly epic, well-staged battle with a raccoon. This is a scene viewers will be talking about for years to come.
Composer Michael Giacchino returns once again for the musical score, and it is even better than the first film's. It brings over the classic main themes, while adding new ones. The score more fully complements the action sequences, matching and enhancing their intensity and fun. Elastigirl, Mr. Incredible, and Frozone each get retro theme songs not dissimilar to the classic Wonder Woman , Batman , and James Bond themes of the 1960s and 1970s.
While the first film's story had more dramatic heft, Incredibles 2 also has a great story that truly does feel like the logical follow-up. Seeing Mr. Incredible raising the kids at home is furthering his arc from the first film, in which he goes from being emotionally distant toward his family to rediscovering just how much they mean to him. Meanwhile, Elastigirl still has a lot to offer to the cause of making superheroes legal again, despite her commitment to her family. Violet goes through heartbreak not atypical to a teenage girl, but she also continues to showcase her newfound self-confidence and mastery of her powers. Dash is still hyperactive, but the events of the first film have matured him as well. He knows how to slow down and think up solutions to bad situations. And superhero fashion designer Edna Mode is as spectacular as ever.
Once the mastermind behind the Screenslaver is revealed to be Devcorp technological innovator Evelyn Deavor ("evil endeavor"), my appreciation of Incredibles 2 goes way, way up. I would say that she is neither better nor worse than the classic megalomaniac Syndrome from the original. Rather, she is her own character and is still great, even if the twist was predictable (I thought it was her brother or the two of them together, so that doesn't fully apply to me). Her mantra that relying on supers to save the day encourages complacency is a compelling one, even if her methods of going about it are wrong. As with Syndrome, the best villains are those who are fully convicted that what they are doing is right, and Evelyn is no exception.
Thus, Incredibles 2 is an excellent film and sequel, one that I love just as much, if not slightly more, than the original. Of course, it gets a 10/10 score from me. Brad Bird, I respect that you have other idea to explore and I want to see them all, but please don't take another 14 years for Incredibles 3!!
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