'Incredibles' takes toons to next level

By Ted Goslin
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

When preparing to watch an animated film, the average moviegoer might not expect an action-packed adventure movie. Without the over-the-top emotion of most cartoon movies, one might wonder what this kind of film has to offer. The answer: plenty.

In this revolutionary age where computer graphics create visuals that look almost real, Pixar Animation Studios has produced some of the best films in terms of visual and emotional quality in the last 10 years. Films such as "Finding Nemo," "Toy Story" and "Monsters, Inc." have dominated the animated film scene and with the release of "The Incredibles," Pixar will continue its streak.

The focus of the story is former super hero, Mr. Incredible, voiced by Craig T. Nelson. Mr. Incredible is forced to relocate himself and his family because he is being sued for saving the public when they didn't want to be rescued. Living as an insurance agent with his family in the suburbs, Bob Parr, a.k.a. Mr. Incredible, is given a second chance to be a superhero again.

This film is part comic adventure, part slapstick comedy and part family drama. What sets it aside from other films is its combination of many different genres.

As in any superhero adventure there is a villain. The jealous fan and former head of Mr. Incredible's fan club, Syndrome, voiced by Jason Lee, takes it upon himself to seek out the heroes of the planet and get his revenge for years of being unappreciated.

I'm not going to spoil the story and give away the plot, but I will say that this script and plot are very good. This may be the best animated plot I've ever seen.

In addition to the main hero and his wife are their children, who have superpowers of their own. The son Dash, voiced by Spencer Fox, can run extremely fast, hence his name. Their daughter Violet, voiced by Sarah Vowell, can become invisible and put up force fields, which helps the family at certain points during the movie. There is a third child, Jack Parr, an infant who doesn't appear to have any powers.

Other characters that add comic relief include Frozone, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, a 1970s punch line spitting, semi-knockoff of Shaft with a little bit of Iceman from the X-men series thrown in as his superpower. Edna Mode, the primary costume designer for all superheroes, is thrown in as the Hollywood go-to girl for all your fashion needs combining the wit of Joan Rivers with the accent of Zsa Zsa Gabor.

What makes this film stand out the most was the use of the right people for the job. Instead of going for the typical stars that are usually associated with blockbusters, the filmmakers went an untraditional route for animated films these days and used lesser know character actors who have attained fame in their own right. Craig T. Nelson is best known for his roles in the sitcom "Coach" and the television drama "The District." Holly Hunter was a huge star at one point but due to several independent films, her career has died down a bit.

Filmmakers often must make a choice of whether they need a major star to draw in the crowds or whether the concept of the film itself is enough to draw in a blockbuster audience. In this case, the idea is enough. So, for you parents out there who are thinking about hiring a baby-sitter for the night, don't bother, just take the kids to this one and thank the creators for an evening well-spent at the movies.