The Incredibles II-A Study of Role Reversals for the Better Good.

“I've got to succeed, so she can succeed, so WE can succeed!”  Bob Parr, Mr. Incredible (The Incredibles II)

So, yesterday, we saw The Incredibles II.

Going into the movie, I’d read a couple friends’ reviews I respect, but, although they liked the movie, they were underwhelmed by the sequel as a rehashing of the original 14 years before.

Aside from noticing the kids hadn’t seemed to age much and Jack-Jack seemed to be a perpetual baby, we thought the movie brought something to the table, dealing gender roles in the family dynamic.  This time Elasti-Girl’s recruited to save the world while Mr. Incredible’s tasked with being Mr. Mom, which, at first’s, a blow to his ego.  Also, there's a part when Dash has to watch his little brother instead of Violet.

I've been hanging with Joey when she does during her day...and, damn.

The film also plays off the myth the female’s the weaker sex when Elasti-Girl gets duped into the heavy’s nefarious plot, because, she’s also a female.  You know the “we got to the bathroom together, so…” You know, that old chestnut.

Of course, they pulled the reverse with Mr. Incredible in the original, playing off the male libido getting him in trouble when the girl lures him into the heavy’s trap.

At the same time, this plotline lends itself to opening up the Incredible world with a whole slew of superhero characters being introduced like Karen / Voyd, a young Elastigirl fan who wants to be a true superhero, who reminded me of Marvel’s Blink, Krushauer, and Helectrix, two Supers, who also want to be real superheroes. Krushauer has the power of telekinesis while Helectrix has the power of controlling and projecting electrical currents.  The new group of main Supers is Reflux, an older Super with the ability of throwing up lava.  But, the star of the movie’s Jack-Jack, who comes into his own powers with the attitude of a kid in his terrible twos at times.

One last note, this is the first Disney animated film with mild cussing.  It’s probably nothing your kid hasn’t heard, just a heads up.

Be good to each other.

-J-