Movie Review: The Incredibles 2

I went to see Incredibles 2 with my two kids (ages 9 & 11), a friend, and a friend with kids (ages 5 & 11). I can tell you from the start we all enjoyed the movie, except for the younger audience, who got a little frightened by the sudden flashing lights. In fact, the movie theater (a Cinemark, in our case), did have a note on the main doors saying young viewers may be scared by these lights… so, something to keep in mind.

The movie starts by a very short promo by the voice cast saying it has been 14 years since part one. Fourteen years! Wow, am I old, LOL. In my opinion, it was worth it. Before going to see it, I had learned all of the original voices are there, except for Dash’s voice… which makes sense. The ten year old character’s voice actor couldn’t possibly sound ten after fourteen years. I was surprised the voice of Violet was done by the same actress, but in my opinion, she did an excellent job, regardless. My friend did say she sounded “darker” and I can see that considering the actress is much older.

THE SHORT

As with most Disney movies now a days (or is it all of them?) we start with a quick short that has no relation with the movie. In this case, it was about an older Asian couple. In the short, one of the dumplings she makes for lunch comes to life. As with most shorts, this one gave me the feels because it turned out to be a parallel between mother and child and how us moms don’t want to let go of our children as they grow older. I didn’t cry! – but was very close.

THE MOVIE

The second installment to the Incredibles was fun! I laughed many, many times. It was also very fast paced as the characters used their powers constantly. Not only that, they used them so fast you really had to pay attention to everything that was happening or you would miss part of the action.

There aren’t many slow moments in the movie, which kept us all entertained. My two kids loved it. I could hear them talking about it an making connections.

The first part of the movie continues right where movie one ended, which turned out into a wonderful action sequence.

The second part is basically a switch of parental roles, where dad stays home to take care of the kids while mom goes to work. I have to say I just experienced something like that in real life and made a lot of connections. I am a teacher and usually get summers off and was offered a two week summer job. I was reluctant to take it, but I did after my husband said he’d have no problem staying with the kids for a few days (he works from home). Needless to say, it didn’t work out very well and he was counting the days for me to be home and return to normality. It was fun to see something similar on screen. Of course, my husband didn’t have to take care of a baby with 17 powers.

Which brings me to Jack-Jack, the baby.

If you remember from the first movie, it turns out Jack-Jack didn’t just have one power, but many. Well, in movie two we see more and more of those powers in action. He has so many, it seems they are just making stuff up for the next scene. Fortunately, Jack-Jack is a good baby and only throws a tantrum now and again (the raccoon scene is hilarious). I can tell you Jack-Jack stole the show. It was the only thing my kids talked about after the movie. In fact, they wondered if I thought they would make a Jack-Jack movie!

The movie is still mostly about supers, who became illegal a while back, and how they can go back to being legal by marketing them “the right” way. We get two new main characters, brother and sister, who help the supers get the right P.R. to get them to be loved by the public again and change the law by using ElastiGirl as the face of their campaign.

In the mean time, a reluctant Mr. Incredible stays at home to support his wife after not being needed as a super. The plot thickens, of course, by the revelation of a new villain who tries to completely destroy all the supers’s reputations.

The movie is fast paced and so much fun! You just have to go see this one! Highly recommended.

Kid’s Media recommends this movie for kids 8 and up.