Review: Incredibles 2

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

With the exception of the terrific "Inside Out," Pixar Studios has spent much of this decade cranking out sequels, most of which have been good, but none on par with such imaginative entries as "Wall-E," "Up" or "Ratatouille." Pixar's latest, a long-awaited follow up to 2004's "The Incredibles," is among the better sequels from the studio in recent years. It doesn't exactly mess with the formula of the original, but it offers up a storyline - that of Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) playing the role of superhero, while her hubby, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), stays home and tends to the kids - that feels fresh and timely.

As the film opens, superheroes are underground and the Incredibles' family is frustrated. Into their lives walk a mogul, Winston Deaver (Bob Odenkirk), with a knack for caped crusaders and his technologically gifted sister, Evelyn (Catherine Keener). I don't think I'm spoiling anything when I say that the two didn't strike me as wholly trustworthy during their introduction. Meanwhile, the city is being terrorized by a villain known as Screensaver, who preys upon that ever-present human weakness - addiction to screens of various sorts, from iPhones to computers.

Deaver says that he wants to reboot superheroes with new branding and offers Elastigirl the job of fighting crime while cameras record her every movement and, therefore, showing the public that superheroes are to be trusted. Mr. Incredible, all the while, finds his hands full as he tends to the children - the overly enthusiastic Dash (Huck Milner), brooding teenager Violet (Sarah Vowell) and baby Jack-Jack, who turns out to not only have super powers, but more than one, and a few rather dangerous. Also, Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as family pal Frozone.

"Incredibles 2" is a fast and fun Pixar movie. There are some great set pieces, most notably one in which Elastigirl chases a runaway train and another during which she enters the lair of the villain. There are some surprises and plot twists - although ones that you can probably see coming - and the film follows the trajectory of your typical Marvel movie, only better.

While I still prefer original content - such as the somewhat recent "Inside Out," which was bursting with imagination - over sequels to Pixar's most beloved properties, "Incredibles 2" is a well written action comedy with an emphasis on the family dynamic. It also happens to be pretty funny, from the jokes regarding Jack-Jack's powers - which one might think would get old, but remain amusing - to others involving a roster of superheroes compiled by Deaver and Evelyn. So, while "Incredibles 2" isn't as trailblazing as some of Pixar's previous works, it's certainly an enjoyable one and, so far, the best studio movie of the summer.