Hey there mates, Harry here! Now, I don't know about you, but right now... THE movie I'm dying to see for the rest of the year is THE INCREDIBLES. I was watching the Japanese Trailer for the film the other day and literally... just got more and more giddy. The tone of the trailer there is so awesome. People keep talking about the Ken Adam's JAMES BOND style set designs of the film, but for me... it's even more Jim Steranko - classic Silver Age Marvel designed... to me, that is. At least from the trailers. Well, here ya go...
Hi Harry,
Never really sent you any kind of film review. But I thought what da hell. I'm a friend of an employee and had a the good fortune to attend the Pixar employee screening of THE INCREDIBLES this past weekend. Please call me "Silver Serf...er"
Just so you know what kind of taste I have. My favorite animated film is Spirted Away. I'm a big Pixar Fan and comic die hard. Favorite other Superhero flix are Spider-man 2 and X1 and X2. THE INCREDIBLES is a welcome change from all that.
Here are my impressions. I'm NOT going to get plot specific or give anything away really. Just want to give you the big scope.
This film is charming...and quite fantastic. It is also a HUGE departure for Pixar. When I say departure, I mean this film is Brad Bird's breaking of the normal Pixar/Disney mold. Some may not like that….even though I for one loved it. NOW I KNOW what it must have been like to have picked up Fantastic Four #1 in 1961 on the newsstands after reading years of goofy Batman and Superman.
- The film is essentially early Fantastic Four meets early James Bond. The first half is slower in its story set up..with the 2nd half a mind blowing roller coaster ride!!! I liked the first half...but I think it will be a little boring for some really little kids as the story is set up…but HUMOR really keeps the first half alive. To me…this movie is as close to a Fantastic Four film as possible. As for that lame ass FF movie in production right now...well they may want to pack up NOW and head to the mysterious blue area of the moon.
- This film has no "buddy buddy" thing going on. Movies like Toy Story did that well...but they get real annoying in Disney flicks such as Mulan. So, for those sick of the Eddie Murphy thing, or Billy Crystal giving zingers and one liners every two seconds, this film is for you! Interestingly enough, the idea of "side kicks" is very much explored in this film, but has a VERY WELCOME twist.
- The Incredibles is much more violent than any Pixar movie with big explosions, shattering buildings and "Die Hard" like fear in a couple scenes. Now for me…I thought this was GREAT! Finally!!!! The CG movies get cool!
- This is not an origin movie in the traditional sense. Every goddamn superhero movie has that token origin. Incredibles is a "After the Fact" story. It's thematic, reflective…kind of like when you read a great comic like EARTH-X.
- The flashback scenes of other heroes…are marvelous.
- The CG and FX are amazing and what everyone has craved to see for a long time. Elasti-Girl and Dash really steal the show with their powers. In fact, the movie really comes alive when Elasti-Girl jumps into the film (signaling the 2nd half of the film). Also, people's hair really stand out for some reason. Violet's hair in particular was great--like a character unto itself in the way it reflects her shyness. Her hair was like Asian Hair. Amazing that you can pick up a texture detail like that in watching a CG movie.
- The "Not enough Frozone rumors" are indeed true. Amazing FX on his powers and movement. What a great character. Needed more of him.
- The movements of Elasti-girl - whether stretching, protecting the kids or just moving stealthily. Bravo! Soooooo god dern cool...
- The frank and panicked family discussion with Elasti-Girl explaining to the kids that people want to kill them. This sent shivers down my spine!
- The family interactions are perhaps the best part of the movie--and they're consistent in both the 1st and 2nd half of the film. Both funny, and so real!!!
- There's a tribute to the FF in the end is great!!!! Won't spoil it for anyone - but tis great!
--Pixar tagged on a great Incredibles segment at the very end of the credits. I assume they'll leave this in the public release. It's so damn funny!!!!!!!!!!! STAY IN YOUR SEATS UNTIL THE VERY END OF THE FILM TO SEE IT. You won't regret it!
- My only question is a rather pathetic one. It's in the Oliver Twist manner. Please, sir, can I have some more?
'Nuff said.
--Silver Serf..er
