Incredibles 2 (2018)

Incredibles 2 is the long delayed hit sequel to the 2004 Pixar hit The Incredibles. That 14 year gap is so noticeable that the cast and director address it head on in a small prolog before theatrical showings of the film, mostly just saying  'yeah, we get its been a long time, we hope you agree it is worth the wait'. (Also before the film is a short called Bao, which isn't going to make much sense at first but give it time). I kind of wish I'd re-watched the first film before seeing the second as the action begins just where it ends in the original, with an attack on the city by The Underminer (catch phrase: "I'm always beneath you, but nothings beneath me."). The fall out from the battle leads directly to the cessation of the ex-superhero protection program which places Bob (Craig T. Nelson) & Helen (Holly Hunter) in potentially dire economic straights.

Help comes shortly thereafter when the couple, along with Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) are approached by media tycoon brother and sister Winston (Bob Odenkirk) & Evelyn (Catherine Keener) Deavor. The Deavor's want to change the law to make superhero's legal again, however they decide that Elastigirl not Mr. Incredible is their best bet to make that case to the public. Therefore while Helen is out fighting the good public relations fight, Bob is at home having misadventures with the kids, the funniest of which involves Jack Jack and a rather persistent raccoon (Disney has had a lot of success with raccoons lately, I wonder if they can find a way to work one into Star Wars).

The narrative eventually takes shape around a plot to spoil the superhero's eventual reintroduction into the world, this is merely adequate for story purposes, the characters and humor carry the movie. While the original film was taken up by many conservatives for its 'when everybody is super, no one is' message, taken as a critique of liberal prejudice against remarkable people (which I don't 100% buy but that's another matter), Incredibles 2 is kind of slack on the social commentary front. The closest it comes is Bob's laminations against 'The New Math', "Why would they change math?". This seems a little past its prime observationally, but I suppose is also in keeping with the Incredibles mid-century modern aesthetic. Which begs the question, is this franchise suppose to be set in the early 60's? Certainly the cars, and the clothes and such look it, but they've also got hover trains and things. Anyways Incredibles 2 was probably worth the wait, I enjoyed it, it just wasn't as good as I had hopped it would be. ***