Incredibles 2, what it lacks in title, it makes up for in entertainment and fun

Rare is the Disney PIXAR film that is action based. The only one that stands out with more action than humor or emotion is Cars 2, which was a silly-but still mildly entertaining, James Bond style romp with Mater taking center stage in Europe. Incredibles 2 picks up exactly where the first film left off in 2004. It also doesn’t miss a beat and quickly lays waste to any skeptical parents that thought the film was merely a cash grab trying to reel in memories of the first film.

Instead, what older viewers will find in Incredibles 2 is a quickly paced film that tells a fun chapter in the story of a normal family with super powers. This film does not reinvent the wheel. It’s the continuation of the family, their mannerisms, attitudes and people around them that people enjoyed from the first film. ‘Older viewers’ should be taken with a grain of salt as I say that just because they will possibly remember Incredibles more than some of the children in the audience.

Incredibles 2 is fun and it’s important to state it that way because some folks might have emotional expectations when they enter a Disney PIXAR movie. They certainly expect excellence, but they’re also on the lookout for the sneaky emotional-yet warranted, cries that most PIXAR films deliver. This film is all fun with some family feels, but not enough to jerk those tears out.

A friend of mine saw the film and said it was his favorite PIXAR film. I knew that his statement meant something because his previous favorite film was The Incredibles. He said that Incredibles 2 was funnier, had more action and was an overall better film. I was surprised he didn’t pepper me with questions as to why I didn’t take him to the press screening. When Incredibles 3 comes out you’ll be the first one I take dude.

That brings up another point as to PIXAR making long delayed sequels. When Finding Dory was announced I thought it was done due to Ellen DeGeneres talking it up for so many years. However, in the end, Finding Dory was a good film; whose only issue I had with it was its relatively short run time.  Incredibles 2 is a joyride of a film that clocks in at almost two hours, but feels short due to its energy.

Make another Ratatouille? Yes! As long as the script is great I’m all in for seeing Remy take a job at a food truck in an effort to pass along the art of making great food. Inside Out is another film that is screaming for a sequel as Riley navigates high school, dating and the challenges that age can bring about.

Fear not the PIXAR sequels. Incredibles 2 is great fun and is one that kids 6 and up can easily enjoy with their family. Our boys (6 and 8) were howling with laughter and kept replaying their favorite scenes from the film on the way home and in the days since. Don’t worry that Mr. Incredible is left to care for Jack-Jack by himself as Elastigirl goes off to bring home the bacon. Some of the righteous stay-at-home dad crowd might get their receding hairline in a cackle as the trailer infers that Mr. Incredible can’t handle it. That’s not the case and the film portrays parenting for what it is, a tough, challenging nut that can change minute by minute, depending on the kid-even if they don’t have super powers.