At the Movies This Weekend: The Incredibles, New Revenge of the Sith Trailer, and More
11/06/2004 18:42 Filed in: Movies and Television
THE INCREDIBLES
You know, I always wanted to be a super-hero. In fact, if I had the choice of super-powers, I think it would be one of these three in order of preference:
1. The ability to fly. I do this a lot in my dreams, but it would be nice during the waking hours, too.
2. The ability to read, write, and speak any language, past or present.
3. The ability to turn invisible at will.
After those would come the normal invulnerability, rays from my eyes, etc.
Well, this is a super-hero movie, and a very fun one. The Incredibles is the newest movie from Pixar , the same company that made animated films such as both Toy Story movies, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, and Monsters Inc. I know I am still the only person in American not to have gotten around to seeing Finding Nemo yet, but it's on my To Do List.
Rabbit Trail #1: Although Disney's name is on this movie, the mouse really has nothing to do with it. Pixar is the company responsible for these movies. Disney just distributes them. They had a multi-movie deal that is now up. Steve Jobs, who heads Pixar (and Apple Computers), tried to negotiate a better deal with Disney in the way profits are shared. Michael Eisner of Disney wouldn't budge on the old terms, and Pixar has now said, "See ya" to them. So look in the future to Pixar movies without the Disney logo. That is unless a new deal is reached or if Eisner is ousted and Jobs is made head of Disney. This could happen.
Oh yeah...back to the movie.
We don't think about the private lives of super-heroes very often, do we? Sure Clark Kent is a reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, Bruce Wayne is a millionaire playboy, and Peter Parker is a photographer. But how often do we see them getting nagged by their wives, stuck in traffic, having to break up fights among the kids? How often do we see them worried about the extra pounds they've put on or whether they can still fit into the old costume?
The Incredibles is a movie that takes place in a world fifteen years after super-heroes have been ordered to go into hiding through government relocation programs. They are trying to blend in with society and lead "normal" lives, but it is not easy. The movie doesn't waste time with origin stories. We have no idea why these individuals have their powers. Maybe it's a mutant issue, kinda like with the X-Men, but the story doesn't worry with such things. Instead, the principle characters are trying to live normal lives and not use their powers so that they can blend in. But it's hard to be normal after the glory days of saving the world from imminent destruction.
Rabbit trail #2: Have you ever wondered why in the movies and on television, people want to hide their powers? Darren always wanted Samantha to not use her powers, and Major Nelson tried to keep Jeanie hidden in the bottle (that was before he gave in and asked to be a Texas oil baron). The Kents never want Clark to let anyone in Smallville know of his "special abiliites." If it were me, I'd be showing off my powers to everyone. If I still had to go to work, I'd fly there. I'd say to the waitress at the Chinese restaurant (in perfect Mandarin, no less), "Hey, I heard what you just said about me, and what's really in the hot and sour soup." And I have to admit it would be difficult not to use my invisibility to my own advantage. Hmm....maybe that's why God doesn't give us "super powers." Spiritual gifts, sure; super powers, no.
The characters have a variety of powers which leads to some very creative teamwork. Mr. Incredible/Bob Parr (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) has a personality that is a cross between Buzz Lightyear and The Tick. His super power is basically super strength and near-invulnerability. His wife, Elastigirl/Helen Parr (voiced by Holly Hunter) can stretch to amazing lengths (think Plastic Man or Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four). They have a teenage daughter, Violet, who can make herself invisible and create force fields. Her younger brother Dash can run at super speed. And then there's the baby who begins to develop his own very creepy powers. All I can say is that it seemed to be a cross between the Human Torch and Hell Boy. Samuel L. Jackson gives voice to a super-hero, Frozone, who can create ice out of the moisture in the air. I kept waiting for him to misquote Ezekiel 25:17, but it never happened. Oh well...maybe in Revenge of the Sith.
Kathy pointed out that the powers the characters had seemed to fit the roles of the individual family members. The father is the very strong leader. The mother has to be flexible to meet the needs of every situation. What teenage girl hasn't wanted to make herself invisible or put a shield between her and others. Every little boy runs here and there and is a handful to keep up with. And the thought of an infant screaming at the top of his lungs seems to match the unique abilities of the youngest Incredible.
Right: Separated at birth? Is it just me, or does Violet from The Incredibles have a freaky resemblance to the ghost woman in The Grudge?
Anyway, I don't want to give away too much of the plot of The Incredibles, but it has great messages about team-work, getting along, and especially finding one's place and purpose in the world. The movie is written and directed by Brad Bird who also wrote and directed another animated great, The Iron Giant . Like that movie, Bird shows a keen interest in robots in this movie, too. The mood in The Incredibles often has a late fifties/early sixties feel to it especially with the big band music that could have come straight out of a Sean Connery James Bond movie.
Take some time to see The Incredibles this weekend. Go by yourself or take the kids. The movie is suitable for all ages, although there is some violence. A handful of people get killed, but their deaths are often more implied than explicitly shown. And even if you aren't normally a fan of animation, everyone enjoys the tales from Pixar, the most creative group to produce animated movies since...well...Disney...
______________________________________________________________________________
STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH TRAILER
I was in great anticipation of the first Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace a few years ago. But it was such a disappointing movie that I held out no expectations for Clone Wars (which absolutely bored me). Now, I don't know whether its from playing KOTOR or because I watched the original three movies recently and they captured my imagination again. Nevertheless, I am actually looking forward to the third prequel. Maybe the third time is the charm for Lucas.
Anyway, this week Lucasfilm released a new poster (shown above left) and the first real trailer for the movie.
First the poster: it's awful. I suppose that Anakin's cape is supposed to be blowing in the wind to create a foreshadowing Darth Vader image. However, it's overdone and looks more like a giant bobblehead with Anakin looking out from behind. Sheesh. Throw it away and start over. Note that Anakin is sporting a scar. That gives it away, you know, because everyone with a scar is a bad guy...
However, maybe they did poorly with the poster because they were spending all their time on the trailer. The trailer looks pretty exciting and it makes me want to see the movie. Granted, a good bit of it is from the original 1977 movie. However, this is the movie that is supposed to tie both sets of films together.
You've got to see this thing. At the moment you are only able to see the trailer if you go see The Incredibles or if you are a paid subscriber to the Hyperspace section of the Star Wars website .
However...I've got it right here for you. Don't ask me how I got it, but I have it. I'll keep it up unless I get a cease and desist letter from George.
Enjoy.
NOTE (12/8/2004): SINCE THE TRAILER IS NOW FREELY AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE AT http://www.starwars.com, I HAVE REMOVED IT FROM THIS BLOG ENTRY TO CONSERVE SPACE ON MY WEBSITE.
______________________________________________________________________________
One more thing. The theater today had an
"upcoming attractions" poster of Leo's new
movie about Howard Hughes, The Aviator.
Okay, here's another "Is it just me," but does
DiCaprio make for a spitting image of an
"in-his-prime" Muhammad Ali in this poster?
1. The ability to fly. I do this a lot in my dreams, but it would be nice during the waking hours, too.
2. The ability to read, write, and speak any language, past or present.
3. The ability to turn invisible at will.
After those would come the normal invulnerability, rays from my eyes, etc.
Well, this is a super-hero movie, and a very fun one. The Incredibles is the newest movie from Pixar , the same company that made animated films such as both Toy Story movies, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, and Monsters Inc. I know I am still the only person in American not to have gotten around to seeing Finding Nemo yet, but it's on my To Do List.
Rabbit Trail #1: Although Disney's name is on this movie, the mouse really has nothing to do with it. Pixar is the company responsible for these movies. Disney just distributes them. They had a multi-movie deal that is now up. Steve Jobs, who heads Pixar (and Apple Computers), tried to negotiate a better deal with Disney in the way profits are shared. Michael Eisner of Disney wouldn't budge on the old terms, and Pixar has now said, "See ya" to them. So look in the future to Pixar movies without the Disney logo. That is unless a new deal is reached or if Eisner is ousted and Jobs is made head of Disney. This could happen.
Oh yeah...back to the movie.
We don't think about the private lives of super-heroes very often, do we? Sure Clark Kent is a reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, Bruce Wayne is a millionaire playboy, and Peter Parker is a photographer. But how often do we see them getting nagged by their wives, stuck in traffic, having to break up fights among the kids? How often do we see them worried about the extra pounds they've put on or whether they can still fit into the old costume?
The Incredibles is a movie that takes place in a world fifteen years after super-heroes have been ordered to go into hiding through government relocation programs. They are trying to blend in with society and lead "normal" lives, but it is not easy. The movie doesn't waste time with origin stories. We have no idea why these individuals have their powers. Maybe it's a mutant issue, kinda like with the X-Men, but the story doesn't worry with such things. Instead, the principle characters are trying to live normal lives and not use their powers so that they can blend in. But it's hard to be normal after the glory days of saving the world from imminent destruction.
Rabbit trail #2: Have you ever wondered why in the movies and on television, people want to hide their powers? Darren always wanted Samantha to not use her powers, and Major Nelson tried to keep Jeanie hidden in the bottle (that was before he gave in and asked to be a Texas oil baron). The Kents never want Clark to let anyone in Smallville know of his "special abiliites." If it were me, I'd be showing off my powers to everyone. If I still had to go to work, I'd fly there. I'd say to the waitress at the Chinese restaurant (in perfect Mandarin, no less), "Hey, I heard what you just said about me, and what's really in the hot and sour soup." And I have to admit it would be difficult not to use my invisibility to my own advantage. Hmm....maybe that's why God doesn't give us "super powers." Spiritual gifts, sure; super powers, no.
The characters have a variety of powers which leads to some very creative teamwork. Mr. Incredible/Bob Parr (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) has a personality that is a cross between Buzz Lightyear and The Tick. His super power is basically super strength and near-invulnerability. His wife, Elastigirl/Helen Parr (voiced by Holly Hunter) can stretch to amazing lengths (think Plastic Man or Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four). They have a teenage daughter, Violet, who can make herself invisible and create force fields. Her younger brother Dash can run at super speed. And then there's the baby who begins to develop his own very creepy powers. All I can say is that it seemed to be a cross between the Human Torch and Hell Boy. Samuel L. Jackson gives voice to a super-hero, Frozone, who can create ice out of the moisture in the air. I kept waiting for him to misquote Ezekiel 25:17, but it never happened. Oh well...maybe in Revenge of the Sith.
Kathy pointed out that the powers the characters had seemed to fit the roles of the individual family members. The father is the very strong leader. The mother has to be flexible to meet the needs of every situation. What teenage girl hasn't wanted to make herself invisible or put a shield between her and others. Every little boy runs here and there and is a handful to keep up with. And the thought of an infant screaming at the top of his lungs seems to match the unique abilities of the youngest Incredible.
Anyway, I don't want to give away too much of the plot of The Incredibles, but it has great messages about team-work, getting along, and especially finding one's place and purpose in the world. The movie is written and directed by Brad Bird who also wrote and directed another animated great, The Iron Giant . Like that movie, Bird shows a keen interest in robots in this movie, too. The mood in The Incredibles often has a late fifties/early sixties feel to it especially with the big band music that could have come straight out of a Sean Connery James Bond movie.
Take some time to see The Incredibles this weekend. Go by yourself or take the kids. The movie is suitable for all ages, although there is some violence. A handful of people get killed, but their deaths are often more implied than explicitly shown. And even if you aren't normally a fan of animation, everyone enjoys the tales from Pixar, the most creative group to produce animated movies since...well...Disney...
______________________________________________________________________________
STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH TRAILER
Anyway, this week Lucasfilm released a new poster (shown above left) and the first real trailer for the movie.
First the poster: it's awful. I suppose that Anakin's cape is supposed to be blowing in the wind to create a foreshadowing Darth Vader image. However, it's overdone and looks more like a giant bobblehead with Anakin looking out from behind. Sheesh. Throw it away and start over. Note that Anakin is sporting a scar. That gives it away, you know, because everyone with a scar is a bad guy...
However, maybe they did poorly with the poster because they were spending all their time on the trailer. The trailer looks pretty exciting and it makes me want to see the movie. Granted, a good bit of it is from the original 1977 movie. However, this is the movie that is supposed to tie both sets of films together.
You've got to see this thing. At the moment you are only able to see the trailer if you go see The Incredibles or if you are a paid subscriber to the Hyperspace section of the Star Wars website .
However...I've got it right here for you. Don't ask me how I got it, but I have it. I'll keep it up unless I get a cease and desist letter from George.
Enjoy.
NOTE (12/8/2004): SINCE THE TRAILER IS NOW FREELY AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE AT http://www.starwars.com, I HAVE REMOVED IT FROM THIS BLOG ENTRY TO CONSERVE SPACE ON MY WEBSITE.
______________________________________________________________________________
"upcoming attractions" poster of Leo's new
movie about Howard Hughes, The Aviator.
Okay, here's another "Is it just me," but does
DiCaprio make for a spitting image of an
"in-his-prime" Muhammad Ali in this poster?