Release Date:  November 5, 2004
Rating:  PG (for action violence)
Genre:   Animation/Family
Run Time: 105 min.
Director:  Brad Bird
Actors:   Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell, Brad Bird

If superheroes really did exist, how would they actually fare in a litigious culture that is saturated by greed and a sense of self-entitlement?  That is the surprisingly ponderous question asked by “The Incredibles” in Pixar’s latest top-notch animated film.

Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson, TV’s “The District”) is in peak form, able to save cats from trees then fight off villains with the branches.  Elastigirl (Holly Hunter, “Thirteen,”) is also a helpful do-gooder, so it’s no wonder the two wed.  But times, they are a-changin’, and after a spate of spiteful lawsuits against the superheroes (by those who did not want to be saved), the government is forced to retire the champions.  Along with buddy Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson, “Changing Lanes”) and countless others, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl become average citizens, aka Bob and Helen Parr.  Helen stays at home with the kids while Bob commutes to his job at Insuracare, where he sits in a cubicle and tries to follow orders to deny, deny, deny all claims, no matter how legitimate.

Their children, Violet (newcomer Sarah Lowell) and Dash (newcomer Spencer Fox) also have super powers.  Violet can disappear at will, which is certainly helpful for the shy teenager.  The energetic Dash can run like lightening.  Baby Jack is too young to develop his powers yet, but no matter, for like many overachievers, his two siblings must subdue their abilities in the family’s all-out effort to blend in.

Meanwhile, trouble is brewing.  A megalomaniac techno-geek who has always dreamed of being a superhero (and who was spurned by Mr. Incredible as a child) has created an empire.  Wealthy and powerful, Syndrome (Jason Lee, “Jersey Girl”) wants to attack the city then save it, setting himself up as an idol.  He pulls the well-meaning Bob into his plans, who is all too willing to return to his glory days.  But soon, the whole family will be forced to suit up and come to his rescue.

Brad Bird (“The Iron Giant”) and John Lasseter (“Toy Story”) have once again spun a yarn that is appealing on many levels, and which smacks of brilliance.  With excellent CGI animation and stunning visuals, like the helicopter view of islands and water, they also manage excellent dialogue and insightful social commentary – all within the parameters of a largely Christian worldview that extols duty, sacrifice, marriage and family.  It’s enough to make this critic incredulous.