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Fourteen years ago, Disney and Pixar released THE INCREDIBLES, a retro-styled superhero family film that (at the time) was considered by many to be one of the best comic book movies ever made… despite not being based on a comic book. Writer/director Brad Bird already had considerable street cred thanks to 1999’s THE IRON GIANT, which despite being a box office bomb had developed a very strong and passionate cult following, so the idea of him working with Pixar was something that was immediately intriguing to moviegoers. In fact, THE INCREDIBLES was such a hit in 2004, it made almost its entire production budget back on its opening weekend. Since then, folks have wondered if we’d ever get a sequel, and it was the sort of thing that kept getting mentioned over the years as a possibility, even though it seemed to be taking forever. This weekend, we’re given INCREDIBLES 2, which brings back almost the entire original cast, and writer/director Brad Bird… and many are wondering if it’s worth the wait.

Opening where the first movie ended, with the Parr family and Frozone fighting The Underminer (John Ratzenberger) who has drilled destructively up from the ground and is wreaking havoc on the city. While they techincally save the day, it comes at a cost as the carnage caused isn’t helping endear the concept of superheroes to the public. On his way out, Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) is met by Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk), who with his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) hopes to redefine the perception of superheroes for a new age. Meanwhile, Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Helen Parr / Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) with their daughter Violet (Sarah Vowell) and son Dash (Huck Milner) are taken into a sort of witness protection-like scenario, moved into a new hi-tech home, and told to lay low. After a visit by Winston Deavor, they’re told that Helen should be the one to revive their positive image, and Elastigirl sees an almost instant renaissance thanks to her pursuit of a new baddie called The Screen Slaver, who uses TV and computer screens to hypnotize people into following his commands. While Helen stays busy, Bob must stay at home and take care of baby Jack-Jack, who is manifesting all sorts of new powers. With Violet having issues with a boy at school, the family unit is not just split up but also stressed out.

INCREDIBLES 2 is heavy on action, laughs and fun, and really moves at a brisk pace despite its nearly two-hour running time (it’s three minutes longer than the first movie, which as much as I loved always felt to be a tad long). All of the voice actors feel comfortable and confident returning to their roles, sounding like they never left. Even Craig T. Nelson, at 74, pulls off playing the middle-aged Bob Parr with aplomb. But it’s Holly Hunter who really shines with an extra dose of screen time as Elastigirl, brought more to the forefront of the story here. The only thing that feels a little wonky is the villain subplot, which features some rather odd twists and turns that in the end don’t make a whole lot of sense, or at the very least feel forced and confusing upon the big reveal toward the end. The “bad guy” in the first film felt inspired and appropriate, but the evil element here just doesn’t quite match up, or at the very least doesn’t match the quality of what the first film gave us.

Also missing from this installment is the emotional core and even some of the charm. The first movie had great scenes that showed tough guy Bob Parr’s weakness, in his love for his family and wife, and how the thought of losing them would emotionally cripple him. There’s a strong sense of family and humanity in that outing that just isn’t as apparent in the sequel, though it’s mostly forgivable thanks to the fast pace and high rate of fun on display. And like the original, the score here by Michael Giacchino (who also returns) is exceptionally great. Brad Bird knows how to produce entertaining content, and make even contrived or complex story elements tolerable. I’m sure after the first movie came out so very good, it’s hard to even attempt making a follow-up and hope that it’s equally satisfying. INCREDIBLES 2 is a wonderful sequel, albeit not a perfect one, but more than anything is feels like fantastic comfort food that tastes almost as good now as it did 14 years ago.

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