The Incredibles (Disney/Pixar 2 Disc Blu-ray w/DVD + Digital Copy)
Picture:
A/B Sound: A/B Extras: B Film: A-
Never has
a Disney/Film been so appropriately titled.
The Incredibles is one of the
most (if not THE most) creative, inspiring and engaging films the Disney/Pixar
team has ever created. Think what you
want about CGI and animation, but The
Incredibles proves that just because it isn’t live action, doesn’t mean it
is not a force to be reckoned with. Walt
Disney proved that animation wasn’t just for kids over 80 years ago and the
Disney/Pixar team continues that tradition film after film.
The story
of The Incredibles is a stunningly
imaginative one that involves a world filled with superheroes. The world of The Incredibles is one that had superheroes saving humanity on a
regular basis for years, but after a few missteps and political pressure the
spandex adorned heroes were forced into hiding.
Hiding is not what one might imagine, as the supers are not forced into
caves, but rather are unnaturally obligated to be part of normal society;
taking up desk jobs and an all too routine life.
Director
Brad Bird brilliantly constructs a metaphor for “boring” and “routine” middle
age with The Incredibles; and
instead of dragging the audience into a downward spiral of emotion he uses the
supers to portray a tale with substance and heart. The film is thoroughly engrossing with Bob
Parr (Craig T. Nelson) playing the former Mr. Incredible who has begrudgingly
settled into the monotonous life of suburbia, along with his wife Ellen (Holly
Hunter) the former Elasti-Girl and their three children who have superpowers of
their own. Bob does the normal day to
day activities, but nothing ever feels quite right; he feels restrained and
dragged down by the normalcy of life. It
all becomes too much for Bob and he finds himself searching for ways to be Mr.
Incredible again. Mr. Incredible is
called upon by a secret benefactor to help destroy some monstrous robots, but
as the saying goes if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. As it turns out the robots aren’t some
demonic beings acting of their own accord, but rather they are controlled by
the psychotic [not so super] Syndrome (Jason Lee). Syndrome has been killing off supers one by
one as he perfected his Robotic Killing Machine. Mr. Incredible soon realizes he is way over
his head and it will take the help of family and friends to make things right
again.
The Incredibles is amazingly well done and it is
easy to forget that these fictional characters are animated on top of the fact
they are superheroes. The film will hit
home for many as it shows that life doesn’t have to be so normal and routine;
and that it life is only what we make of it.
This is all on top of the fact that friends and family make life all the
richer; as they stick with us through the good, the bad and the unimaginable.
This
Blu-ray is extremely well done in picture, sound, and extras. Not only has the Disney/Pixar team-up proven
to have been epic on a creative level, but the process of bringing these films
to Blu-ray home video is just as groundbreaking. Whereas other companies struggle to put out
quality product (animated or otherwise) Disney/Pixar proves time and time again
to be the best of the best. If you want
demo quality material, Disney/ Pixar is it and The Incredibles is just one more title on that growing list.
The
picture is presented in an AVC Encoded 2.35 X 1. 1080p High Definition that
doesn’t fail to impress with its bright and vibrant colors, bold blacks, and
jaw dropping crispness. The picture
flies off the screen with ease and the whole film seems to flow. There are no compression issues, no edge
enhancement, no digital noise, and actively searching for issues I found
none. As previously mentioned, if you
want demo quality material this is it.
The sound is just as impressive as the picture with its DTS-HD MA 5.1 ES
Master Audio lossless mix surrounding the viewer at every twist and turn. The soundscape is HUGE and alive from
beginning to end as its crisp dialogue delivers and is more than perfectly
prioritized as the musical scores jump in.
The panning effects are as if the viewer is there and the bass is well
rounded with no annoying buzz and delivers a robust, deep sound. A truly super presentation.
The DVD
version of the film is included in this set and whereas somewhat improved over
the previous DVD release, I could not see too big of a difference. The picture and sound do not in anyway
compare to the pristine quality of the Blu-ray as the image is somewhat muggier
and not as bright and crisp. The DVDs
sound is less immersive and does not pop and surround like the Blu-ray.
The
extras continue the inspiring trend with the following:
- 2 Audio Commentaries
- Jack Jack Exploded
- Boundin’ Short Film
- Jack Jack Short Film
- Classic Content (Collection
of all Extras from the original DVD Release)
- “The New Nomanisan” Island
Redevelopment Plan – A Guided Tour of the Vacation
Island Paradise
- Paths to Pixar: Story Artists
- Studio Stories: Gary’s Birthday
- Ending with a Bang: Making
the End Credits
- Theatrical Trailers
- Character Interviews
- TV Spots
- Deleted Scenes
- Teaser Trailer
- Digital Copy
A great
film on any format, but Blu-ray truly does this already superpowered film true
justice.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
