Disney / Buena Vista | 2004 | 115 min | PG
I’ll state it right off the top—even seven years after its release, The Incredibles remains one of my animated favorites. Writer/director Brad Bird is one of the best in the in the business; here he gives the animation an intelligence and substance not often seen in family-friendly fare. Disguised as an action-packed, popcorn film, The Incredibles carries a deeper message about enjoying the different stages of life.
Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson), who was once the admired Mr. Incredible, is having difficulty adjusting to his new life. Saving the world wasn’t just his job; it was his passion. But things have changed a lot. People, who once admired them without question, started filing lawsuits against the superheroes driving them underground courtesy of the “Superhero Relocation Program,” which offered a new life in return for a promise never to act as a superhero again. Initially, Mr. Incredible and his wife, Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), were fairly content living as Bob and Helen Parr, raising their kids: speedy Dash (Spencer Fox); shy Violet (Sarah Vowell); and baby Jack-Jack. Lately though, Incredible’s job at an insurance company has become tougher, and he finds himself longing for the old days. Occasionally at night, he and old friend, Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), listen to the police scanner, then give the cops a little unexpected aid. But it’s not enough to satiate his craving for the old life. Until one day, a mysterious woman (Elizabeth Peña), offers the Incredibles a job that just might give Mr. a chance to regain some of his old self confidence.
It’s the familial element that makes The Incredibles such a special film. Their son Dash is rather hyper, not unlike a lot of boys his age. But his hyperactivity is exaggerated by his super power: a super speed that allows him to leave his seat in the middle of class and put a tack on his teacher’s seat without being detected. The parents’ reactions, when the school calls them, are perfectly executed. While mom wants him to be punished, dad’s initial response is a high-fiving “Wow, good job, son.” Their daughter Violet is a rather typical high schooler. Desperate to be liked, she’s very conscious of her appearance…complicated by the fact that she can literally make herself invisible. Still, it’s the human elements that make the characters so easily relatable.
This is getting to be a broken record—Pixar titles look absolutely fabulous on Blu-ray. Colors are vivid, blacks are inky contrast is spot on and there’s no sign of digital trouble. Reference grade material here, as per usual.
The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound mix included here also doesn’t disappoint. With a broad dynamic range, wide frequency response, and highly enveloping surround effects, this is a sensational track. Michael Giacchino’s score is conveyed with satisfying fidelity, and the studio recordings of the voice actors remain crystal clear throughout.
We get French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 EX mixes, an English 2.0 DVS track, and English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
We get an awesome slate of special features:
The 4-disc BD release of The Incredibles is loaded with more than eight hours of extras spread across two Blu-ray discs, almost all of which deserve attention. Add to that a DVD and Digital Copy of the film.
- Audio Commentaries (Disc 1): Two feature commentaries are available. In the first, Director Brad Bird and producer John Walker dig into the heroes and villains, their powers and world, the on-screen action, the voice casting process and subsequent performances, the animation, and much, much more. The second is thorough as well, albeit far more technical. Supervising animators Tony Fucile, Steven Hunter and Alan Barillaro are joined by animators Gini Santos, David DeVan, Jureha Yokoo, Dave Mullins, John Kahrs, Robert Russ, Angus MacLane, Travis Hathaway, Doug Frankel and Peter Sohn for a catchall group commentary.
- The Incredibles Revisited (Disc 1, HD, 22 minutes): This recently assembled filmmakers roundtable features an incredibly forthcoming look-back with Bird, Walker, Fucile, story supervisor Mark Andrews, supervising technical director Rick Sayre, production designer Lou Romano and character designer Teddy Newton.
- Boundin’ with Optional Commentary (Disc 1, HD, 5 minutes): Writer/director/voice actor Bud Luckey chimes in on Boundin’, the animated short that preceded The Incredibles in theaters.
- Jack-Jack Attack with Optional Visual Commentary (Disc 1, HD, 5 minutes): Bird, Andrews, character designer Teddy Newton and animator Bret Parker reveal the inner workings of Jack-Jack Attack, the animated short that debuted on The Incredibles‘ original DVD release.
- Deleted Scenes, Now in HD! (Disc 2, HD, 35 minutes): Five deleted scenes (presented via roughly animated storyboards), an equally unfinished fifteen-minute alternate opening, and a collection of introductions/commentaries (with Bird and Andrews) kick off Disc Two. As the title suggests, it’s the first time the deleted scenes are presented in high definition.
- The New Nomanisan: A Top Secret Redevelopment Plan (Disc 2, HD): Syndrome’s island lair has been transformed into a family friendly getaway! Take a tour of “The New Nomanisan” and learn about the Shooting Range, the Self Defense Academy, Island Dining, Nomanisan Nightlife, the Hero Headquarters, Camp Nomanisan, Adventure Sports, Vow Renewals, and the Nomanisan Spa in a series of cheeky animated ads.
- Paths to Pixar: Story Artists (Disc 2, HD, 6 minutes): The latest segment of Pixar’s ongoing look to the talent behind the animation hones in on the story artists who worked on The Incredibles (among others).
- Studio Stories: Gary’s Birthday (Disc 2, HD, 2 minutes): “Gary is every man” in this amusing story told by the team who tried to maintain their sanity while working on Bird’s superhero epic.
- Ending with a Bang: Making the End Credits (Disc 2, HD, 2 minutes): Learn about the genesis and creation of the end credits sequence in this all-too-short featurette.
- Making of The Incredibles (Disc 2, SD, 27 minutes): An entire section of Disc Two is devoted to previously released special features as well, the first of which is this lengthy, jaunt behind the scenes.
- Other Classic DVD Content (Disc 2, SD, 70 minutes): The remaining extras Disney has ported over from the original DVD release. The largely self-explanatory featurettes include “Story,” “Character Design,” “E-Volution,” “Building Humans,” “Building Extras,” “Set Design,” “Sound,” “Music,” “Lighting,” “Tools,” a “Mr. Incredible and Pals” animated short, a “Mr. Incredible and Pals” commentary with Mr. Incredible and Frozone, “NSA Audio Files and Stills,” “Vowellett – An Essay by Sarah Vowell” and “Who is Bud Luckey?”
- Easter Eggs (Disc 2, SD, 14 minutes): No need to hunt. The original DVD’s easter eggs are nestled in a handy section all their own. Eggs include “Incredibles Socks,” “Dancing Bob,” “Cake,” “Buttons and Doors,” “Victor’s Guards,” “H3A – Classroom,” “Angus’ Guards,” “Incrediblunders,” “Frank & Ollie,” “Ball & Scooter” and Markisms.”
- Publicity (Disc 2, SD, 14 minutes): A string of “Character Interviews” and a series of standard definition trailers and TV spots round out the classic DVD content.
- Interactive Art Gallery (Disc 2, HD): Hundreds of production images are spread across six galleries: Character Design, Collages, Color Scripts, Lighting, Set Design and Storyboards.
- Incredibles Teaser (Disc 2, HD, 2 minutes): The first Incredibles trailer is presented in high definition.
- Maximize Your Home Theater (Disc 1, HD): A simple video/audio calibration tool.
- Movie Voucher for Cars 2: Disney Rewards members will also earn a free movie voucher for Cars 2.