November
6th, 2004 - saturday
The
Incredibles. Many of you may not have
seen this film yet, so I won't spoil it for you. I also don't
want to pump up your expectations too high, so I'll try not to
do that. I'll try not to tell you about how it's one of the greatest
achievements in cinema history and how technically brilliant every
aspect of the production is, since these are things you might
already expect from it. I also don't want you to know that I got
all watery-eyed while clinging tightly to my seat through half
of the film, since these are just pixels on a computer we're talking
about. To call it the perfect execution of one of the greatest
creative endeavors in the narrative arts might be too much, even
though it's absolutely true. Just a few seconds into the
film, I knew I was experiencing something amazing, and I already
wanted to see it again. By the time the film was finished, I was
already looking forward to the twentieth viewing. The animation,
the lighting, the voice acting, the dialogue, the action sequences,
the music - everything is pitch perfect, and then some.
Most importantly, all of these elements are held together brilliantly
by masterful storytelling, and this is what really makes this
film special. The disciplined pacing, the heavy themes and emotions...
all perfect. Brad Bird and company have hit a home run with this
one, and far over the fence. Like I said, I don't want to pump
up expectations too much, and I don't think I have, since
it's difficult for me to imagine expectations high enough that
this work of art will not at least meet or surpass. Go see it.
Go see it NOW.