Movie Review - The Incredibles 2

On the last day of school we decided to surprise the kids with a trip to the movies after our annual trip to Dairy Queen for Ice Cream.  Both had put checking out the Incredibles in theatres on our summer bucket list, and I'm not lying it was pretty cool to knock it off the list on our very first day of the break.

Movie Review The Incredibles 2

Image Courtesy of Facebook

What's in it for the Kids?
If your kids dug the first Incredibles movie, this offers all of the same characters you love (although for whatever reason the animators decided to completely change what teen hero Violet's love interest Tony looks like - Buzzfeed even wrote an article about it you can check out here).  There are a lot of laughs with baby Jack Jack as he begins to explore the full range of his own super powers.  This provided most of the kid related comic relief for the movie.

What's in it for the Adults?
Although both Incredibles movies are supposed to be set in the past (we have not idea exactly how distant) both adult characters face feelings of incompetence and stress when taking on new job and family related responsibilities - very easy to relate to (although this could be seen as reinforcing old fashioned women in the workforce gender roles - worthy of debate).  The villain in this film, Screenslaver, serves as a creepy Big Brother reminder that felt very Orwellian to my English major self.  Voice work by all of the original characters, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel Jackson, Holly Hunter, and Brad Bird continued to impress, as did the additions of  Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) and Catherine Keener.

The Incredible Family

Best Parts of the Movie
After a 14 year gap this movie hits the ground running, in what is set to be mere days after the first film.  Action sequences are fun and the villain is genuinely scary.  Kids in the theatre six and under were quite scared in specific villain confrontation scenes, so consider yourself warned in what is otherwise a family friendly flick. You don't need to have seen the first movie to enjoy this film.


Worst Parts of the Movie
The movie felt a little long at times, particularly in the first half, but once it got rolling the kids were highly invested in the characters, so much so that we had to force Jack to go to the washroom while it was still on. 

Overall Rating
I would rate this movie 3.5/5, I don't consider it a classic, but the kids enjoyed it and want to watch it again.  A fun way to beat the heat on a hot summer day, but don't sweat it if you wait until it comes to a small screen for streaming near you.

To read my review of A Wrinkle in Time click here

A Wrinkle in Time - Movie Review

The kids were both really excited to see A Wrinkle In Time.  I must admit, despite being a child of the 1980's I had never read the book.  After seeing mixed reviews online I was a little skeptical, but the kids were interested, so we decided to make it our March Break Matinee film.

Image Courtesy of The Verge

What's in it for the Kids?
This is not a movie for little kids.  If your kid scares easily, or has trouble focusing on live action compared to cartoon, wait to watch this until they're 7-9.  It was almost a mash-up or nod to a bunch of films I grew up with, and with Molly and Jack's recent interest in films like Never-ending Story, the timing of this movie couldn't of been better for them.


What's in it for the Adults?
Visually this movie is stunning.  The costumes and background are bound to give you some wanderlust and a sense of enchantment and wonder. Performances by favourites like Reese Witherspoon, Oprah, Mindy Kaling, and Zach Galifianakis won't disappoint.  Just remember to keep in mind this movie is for kids, not you, and that it was Disneyfied for children, and you'll be okay.  While Storm Reid was fantastic playing the conflicted Meg, my prediction for career potential goes to Levi Miller (Calvin) who has an amazing presence, despite his smaller role, that was somewhat reminiscent of a young River Phoenix.


Best Parts of the Movie
This movie ambitiously takes on a lot.  It touches on everything from being yourself to bullying to self worth to family dynamics.  Some of the lessons are more subtle, whereas others hit you over the head, but the kids didn't seem to notice.  Jack's favourite parts of the movie were discussions around "the it" (darkness) vs. positive energy and the light.  Molly loved Meg, as a female warrior, as well as Ms. Which (Oprah).  We've been working a lot with Molly on body positivity - I can't get over how young things like body image and fat shaming come into play for little kids.  Molly falling in love Ms. Which because, according to Molly - she is the oldest, biggest, strongest, and most powerful, felt like a win to me. Recently we've noticed the strong influence that pop culture and the the world of twig thin female heroines has had on her definition of beauty, health and strength- bravo to this film which literally calls out the question, "Is there such thing as the wrong size?"

Image Courtesy of YouTube

Worst Parts of the Movie
This film had no cruise control and an uneven pace.  The story building was slow, then audiences were taken warp speed into the story, and then spit back out again at the end.  There were plot holes, but I could forgive them, because the kids loved this movie. I have never read the book, so I have no point of reference, but this movie seemed a bit like a Frankenstein of other successful films as it pieced together a non linear story in a way children could understand with inspiration from films like The Labyrinth, Never-ending Story, and Return to Oz.

Overall Rating
I would rate this movie 3/5, it wasn't nearly as bad as the critics are making it out to be, and the kids really liked it.  Brimming with positive messages about making change and being your own hero and warrior, as well as embracing your faults, give it a shot, just maybe not in theatres.

To read my review of Captain Underpants click here

To read my review of Boss Baby click here

To read my review of the Lego Batman movie click here