Who wants the pressure of being super all the time?

The Incredibles

(2004)

Pixar's finest hour? Certainly, I find Brad Bird's sensibilities more palatable than founder John Lasseter's (whose contribution to the mini-studio of anthropomorphic car movies seems based on merchandising and personal auto-obsession rather than anything to do with storytelling potential).

The Incredibles may also be the best superhero movie since the genre's rebirth, managing to incorporate both their upbeat froth and post-Watchmen navel gazing. It is possibly at it's best during the satirical first half, following a disenfranchised Mr Incredible in a dead-end job. The second half is on more traditional lines, all family bonding and gigantic set pieces.

Unlike its biggest competitor, Pixar tends to cast the best actor for the voice part, rather than the biggest name. So Craig T Nelson is utterly right for the lead, but also someone most people are oblivious to.

*****

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He’s probably paranoid, high-strung, doesn’t like daylight. You know, has a lot of crumbs in his beard, if he has a beard.

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You stink, my friend.

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Roswell was a smokescreen, we've had a half a dozen better salvage operations.

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UFO IN MOSSINGHAM?

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Wow. Asteroids are made of farts. Okay. I got it.

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Careful how much boat you’re eating.

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By heaven, I’d thrash the life out of you… if I didn’t have to read the Nine O’Clock News.

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Well, I’ll be damned. It’s the gentleman guppy.

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Now In Full Color, with a Happier Ending

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