22 minutes, 22 seconds: The Incredibles
I know I said this one was going up yesterday but I kinda underestimated how long it would take me to screencap and then resize all the pics. Anyway, I've now installed some image software that will make the task considerably easier, so that should make the process a lot smoother and faster now.
But moving right along...
The Incredibles is, as far as I'm concerned probably Pixar's best ever animated film. Toy Story was of course groundbreaking, Finding Nemo featured a great storyline and characterisation, Ratatouille spoke powerfully about following your dreams, WALL-E was sweet and emotionally affecting... but The Incredibles, well, it combines all of the qualities mentioned above.
And, if that wasn't enough, it focuses on spandex-wearing superheroes, and draws a lot of its influence (including a Monty Norman-esque score) from Connery-era Bond films. What more could you possibly want?
Repeatedly rewatchable, the film is perfect entertainment for kids and adults alike, smoothly combining action, laughs and more contemplative, emotional scenes. The Academy Award winner in 2005 for Best Animated Film, The Incredibles was pioneering in that it was the first CGI-animated film from a major studio to focus entirely on human characters instead of insects, monsters, animals and assorted other fantasy beasties. The humans, despite undergoing a cartoony stylisation, had to be credible, particularly in terms of their facial animation. The result? Unforgettable creations like deranged fashion designer, Edna Mode.
Without forcing its message down audiences' throats (as admittedly WALL-E did about over-consumption and caring for the planet) The Incredibles argues a strong case for striving to overcome mediocrity, and finding happiness in what you love and excel at. Take this memorable conversation between superhero mother and son:
Helen: Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in, and to fit in, we gotta be like everyone else.
Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of, our powers made us special.
Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: [muttering] Which is another way of saying no one is.
It's a sentiment I firmly agree with.
Anyway, 22 minutes and 22 seconds into the film, Bob Parr (formerly Mr Incredible) and Lucius Best (formerly Frozone) have been indulging in some secret heroics - seeing as superheroes have been forced into hiding since a flurry of lawsuits 15 years previously.
Bob (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and Lucius (voiced by Samuel L "Muthafucker" Jackson) rescue several people from a fire, but when the building they're in is destabilised by the blaze they're forced to crash through the wall into the next building... which just so happens to be a jewellery store.
Alarms are triggered, and then it's Frozone's chance to put his powers to good, self-preserving use:
Lucius: Man, that ain't right. We look like bad guys. Incompetent bad guys!
Enter policeman.
Policeman: Freeze!
Lucius spots the watercooler and reaches out for it.
Policeman: FREEZE!
Lucius: I'm thirsty.
Policeman: I said freeze!
Lucius: I'm just getting a drink.
Lucius: Aaah.
Policeman: Alright, you've had your drink. Now I want you to...
Lucius: I know. Freeze.
The policemen outside barge into the building, and are equally baffled by the presence of a dozen waking people on the floor, and the strange situation their fellow officer is in.
Watching The Incredibles again this last weekend I had almost forgotten how much I love it.
But moving right along...
The Incredibles is, as far as I'm concerned probably Pixar's best ever animated film. Toy Story was of course groundbreaking, Finding Nemo featured a great storyline and characterisation, Ratatouille spoke powerfully about following your dreams, WALL-E was sweet and emotionally affecting... but The Incredibles, well, it combines all of the qualities mentioned above.
And, if that wasn't enough, it focuses on spandex-wearing superheroes, and draws a lot of its influence (including a Monty Norman-esque score) from Connery-era Bond films. What more could you possibly want?
Repeatedly rewatchable, the film is perfect entertainment for kids and adults alike, smoothly combining action, laughs and more contemplative, emotional scenes. The Academy Award winner in 2005 for Best Animated Film, The Incredibles was pioneering in that it was the first CGI-animated film from a major studio to focus entirely on human characters instead of insects, monsters, animals and assorted other fantasy beasties. The humans, despite undergoing a cartoony stylisation, had to be credible, particularly in terms of their facial animation. The result? Unforgettable creations like deranged fashion designer, Edna Mode.
Without forcing its message down audiences' throats (as admittedly WALL-E did about over-consumption and caring for the planet) The Incredibles argues a strong case for striving to overcome mediocrity, and finding happiness in what you love and excel at. Take this memorable conversation between superhero mother and son:
Helen: Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in, and to fit in, we gotta be like everyone else.
Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of, our powers made us special.
Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: [muttering] Which is another way of saying no one is.
It's a sentiment I firmly agree with.
Anyway, 22 minutes and 22 seconds into the film, Bob Parr (formerly Mr Incredible) and Lucius Best (formerly Frozone) have been indulging in some secret heroics - seeing as superheroes have been forced into hiding since a flurry of lawsuits 15 years previously.
Bob (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and Lucius (voiced by Samuel L "Muthafucker" Jackson) rescue several people from a fire, but when the building they're in is destabilised by the blaze they're forced to crash through the wall into the next building... which just so happens to be a jewellery store.
Alarms are triggered, and then it's Frozone's chance to put his powers to good, self-preserving use:
Lucius: Man, that ain't right. We look like bad guys. Incompetent bad guys!
Enter policeman.
Policeman: Freeze!
Lucius spots the watercooler and reaches out for it.
Policeman: FREEZE!
Lucius: I'm thirsty.
Policeman: I said freeze!
Lucius: I'm just getting a drink.
Lucius: Aaah.
Policeman: Alright, you've had your drink. Now I want you to...
Lucius: I know. Freeze.
The policemen outside barge into the building, and are equally baffled by the presence of a dozen waking people on the floor, and the strange situation their fellow officer is in.
Watching The Incredibles again this last weekend I had almost forgotten how much I love it.
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