Incredibles 2

Fourteen years.

Fourteen entire years and we've finally gotten Incredibles 2. Okay, I'm sorry for starting out this review with the cliche look back on how long it's been since Incredibles, which is probably going to be the norm for most Incredibles 2 reviews, but man, I feel like I need compensation for waiting so long. I understand the complexities of making these films and everything, but no one was really expecting this long of a wait. Whatever, it's finally here, that's really all that matters.

So, with that short rant out of the way, Incredibles 2 is the long-awaited sequel to 2004's The Incredibles, the charming Pixar story about a family of superheroes in a world where crime-fighting is illegal. The first movie took the world by storm, quickly gaining fame as one of the best Pixar films out there (it still tops the list for me). After its release, the want for a sequel was high, and after a few years, many were not so sure if one would ever come. But the studios told us to keep waiting, so we did, and finally, we have Incredibles 2 in front of us. But, as said many times, fourteen years is a long time to wait, so is Incredibles 2 worth the struggle?

In short: hell yes.

Incredibles 2 remarkably captures everything that made the first one so great, while faithfully expanding upon the source material. Instead of the family saves the world heavy aspect of the first film, it focuses more now on how to return the world to its superhero-friendly state, with individual members of the family fighting their own battles that come their way, including parenting, adolescence, and even the simplest thing such as homework. Each struggle culminates in a way that makes the family seem so realistic, which is so refreshing and reminds you why you loved this family in the first place.

Technically, this film couldn't get more beautiful than it is. In the time between the first and second, it's clear to see how far CGI animation has progressed, resulting in beautiful, life-like backgrounds that are only deceived by the cartoonish characters in the foregrounds. Characters emote far more than in the first, with realistic skin tones and body details. Colors are vibrant and pleasing. This movie is honestly pure art.

Adding to the artful aesthetic are brilliant performances from the returning cast, as well as newcomers such as Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener, especially the latter who portrays the colorful and clever Evelyn Deavor, who could be my favorite new character from the film. Michael Giacchino also brings forth his prowess as a brilliant composer, which honestly just makes this film all the more richer and still is one of my favorite scores to any movie to date. Giacchino once told me that he thinks of this score as his Bond score, and I think that rings true.

So, yes, Incredibles 2 was worth every bit of the wait, and I am so glad it's here. It's clever, fun, charming, and such a blast all around. So far it's ranking at #3 on my list with a 9.2/10 and I don't think there's any chance of it relieving that spot. A truly super sequel indeed.