A sequel that is as good as the first movie, Incredibles 2 triumphs by refusing to tinker with its winning elements. It’s a welcome throwback to a more innocent time of superhero movies.
Writer-director Brad Bird who also wrote and directed The Incredibles, places his new film in the same place, with the Parr family’s struggles. There are no worlds to save again, no big villains to slay, and the fight remains more about family this time and less about finding oneself.
The action is kept to a minimum as the film realizes that its strength lies in having a superhero family to go back to. So, it keeps returning to the home front, where Bob’s challenges with the children remain entertaining, especially when baby Jack-Jack unleashes his powers and has a delightful encounter with a raccoon.
Helen, preferably Elastigirl’s spirited fight against the antagonist who remains hidden in plain sight fades before the antics of her youngest child. Jack-Jack’s hectic personality changes, complete lack of self-consciousness befitting his infant status, and infectious giggles are truly incredible and it lifts the sequel to dizzying heights, sometimes very literally.