INCREDIBLES 2 (Malaysia, 14 Jun 2018)

Genre: Animated

Running Length: 1:52

Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk, Samuel L. Jackson

Director: Brad Bird

Screenplay: Brad Bird

What's this movie about?

The super family is back! This time Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible is left to care for the kids while Helen/Elastigirl is out saving the world. And we have a new supervillain this round - The Screenslaver.  

Highlights!

• Superior animation. The graphics somewhat do look the same as the 2004 debut but yet it's different in a good way. The characters are much richer and the backdrop is so much more photorealistic. 
• Immersive action sequences. There are many action scenes here the audience would feel like they are riding a roller coaster - yes, it's edge-of-your-seat stuff especially the sequence involving a runaway train! 
• The score. Michael Giacchino’s score is extremely catchy and really ups the action sequences all the way to its climax. Very classic James Bond-sy style.
• Baby Jack-Jack. The little one steals the show as he sprouts all sorts of unpredictable powers. There is this scene involving a raccoon which was totally LOL. Everytime he's on screen, the audience in the cinema I was in would laugh or go awww~~ 
• Mr. Incredible's arc. It's nice to see the softer side of him especially his struggle to be a good father. 

Lowlights

• Weak villain. In the first movie, Syndrome was a memorable superhero movie villain because he was cold, his motivations were realistic and he could inflict emotional pain to Mr. Incredible and his family. However, this follow-up lacks such a thoughtful villain. 
• Scripting issues. When it first came out in 2004, superhero movies were in its infancy and was starting to get popular. So, to tell a story that superheroes were a "menace" to society was a ballsy decision. Thus, re-telling the anti-superhero theme here didn't feel as fresh and the pacing suffered from its various sub-plots like raising kids in single-parent environment and a teenage crush. Eventhough the movie wasn't that long, it felt long and some moments were draggy.

In summary

INCREDIBLES 2 is a technically superior movie but the story is a little clumsy. It's action sequences are exhilarating, the colours are bright and the score is catchy. However, it lacks the ingenuity and freshness displayed by its predecessor from a narrative standpoint. (Instead, the opening shorty 'Bao' was so much fresher in re-telling a familiar story in a creative way; funny, moving and very relatable to Asians) 

RATING: 7/10

TOMORROWLAND (2015)

Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure
Running Length: 2:10
Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy
Director: Brad Bird
Screenplay: Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird

"If you can dream it, you can do it" - Walt Disney

TOMORROWLAND will divide the critics into two camps; the cynics and the dreamers. And that's exactly what the main message of the movie is trying to convey - which is aptly captured in the tale of the bad wolf vs the good wolf - told by the protagonist's father. The question is, "Which one will win?" When the resolution is revealed, skeptics will chastised it for being too preachy while the hopefuls will be deeply moved. Rest assured, this movie is not a two hour debate on humanity's view of the future as it has interesting collages of mystery and ideas presented in an unhurried pace. It's like a jigsaw puzzle, inviting the audience to piece it together. The film has a good mix of humour, seriousness and adventure which reminds me of Speilberg's earlier films. The visuals are impressive and the characters are very likeable. I actually cared for the characters especially the relationship between Frank (George Clooney) and Athena (Raffey Cassidy) - some will say it's all melodrama but the final act between these two characters touched me deeply.   

Rating: 8/10