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The Incredibles

Name: The Incredibles - Christian Parent's Review
Item: The Incredibles
Rating: 1
Author: StoryScanner

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General Review

Parent's Guide to The Incredibles

The Incredibles is an animated action-adventure film from Pixar that centers on the Parr family, a group of superheroes forced into civilian life after public backlash. The story follows Bob Parr, formerly Mr. Incredible, as he yearns for his heroic past and secretly resumes crime-fighting, drawing his superpowered family into a dangerous conflict with a vengeful villain named Syndrome. The movie explores themes of family dynamics, identity, heroism, and the challenges of balancing extraordinary abilities with ordinary life. It features intense action sequences, comedic moments, and delves into the personal struggles of its characters, making it appeal to a broad audience from older children to adults.

Things to Consider

High2

Violence

The film contains frequent, intense, and prolonged cartoon violence, which is bloodless but impactful. This includes numerous shoot-outs, explosions, car crashes, and physical altercations. Characters, including children, are repeatedly placed in perilous, life-threatening situations, experiencing near-death encounters. The villain Syndrome is depicted as highly dangerous, actively killing superheroes and torturing Mr. Incredible.

1. Mr. Incredible is subjected to torture via electrical charges by Syndrome when he refuses to provide information. This scene shows him strapped to a high-tech device, enduring visible pain. 2. Elastigirl's jet, carrying Violet and Dash, is destroyed by missiles, leading Mr. Incredible to believe his family has died. Later, Helen explicitly warns her children that Syndrome's henchmen 'will not exercise restraint because you're children. They will KILL you. If they get the chance,' reinforcing the high stakes.

Scary & Intense Content

The film contains numerous frightening and intense sequences, often involving life-threatening peril for the entire family, including the children. Scenes include large-scale destruction, battles with dangerous robots and armed henchmen, and moments where characters appear to be in grave danger or near death. The constant threat posed by Syndrome and his machines can be suspenseful and scary for younger viewers.

1. The Omnidroid, a massive and destructive robot, repeatedly attacks the Parr family, attempting to crush them on multiple occasions, creating intense and frightening moments. 2. Baby Jack-Jack is kidnapped by Syndrome and dangled from a great height, then dropped, only to be caught by Elastigirl after he spontaneously demonstrates multiple new powers, including morphing into a monster-like form.

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Medium4

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityRomance and Sexual ContentSubstance UseDisrespect & Rebellion

Low3

ProfanityWitchcraft & OccultAnti-Christian Themes

Medium4

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

For the first 'The Incredibles' film, there is no explicitly confirmed LGBTQ+ content in the official narrative. However, fan communities engage in speculation regarding the background character Thunderhead, who is noted to have adopted children with a 'roommate' named Scott. In the sequel, 'Incredibles 2', there is significant discussion within fan communities and some media outlets about characters like Voyd and Evelyn Deavor being 'queer-coded' or interpreted as having LGBTQ+ undertones, and fan theories about Elastigirl being bisexual.

1. Fan communities speculate that the hero Thunderhead, a minor character mentioned by Edna Mode, is gay due to the detail that he 'adopted several children with his roommate, Scott'. While not explicitly stated in the film, this has been interpreted by fans as 'possibly a coded way of saying that he is gay'. 2. While primarily relevant to the sequel, 'Incredibles 2' introduces characters like Voyd, whose interactions with Elastigirl have been described by some as an 'overzealous lesbian fangirl' archetype, confessing that seeing Elastigirl made her 'accept who she was'. Additionally, some viewers have interpreted a 'queer chemistry' between Elastigirl and the character Evelyn Deavor.

Romance and Sexual Content

The movie features a visibly passionate and affectionate marital relationship between Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, including kisses, longing glances, and touches. There are mild suggestive elements, such as Elastigirl's concern about Mr. Incredible's fidelity and a brief, comic reference to 'getting busy.' The character Mirage wears a form-fitting outfit that reveals some cleavage.

Substance Use

The film includes brief and incidental depictions of alcohol consumption by adult characters. Mr. Incredible is seen consuming or about to consume wine and a mixed drink. In one scene, Syndrome's henchmen open a bottle of champagne and are implied to be engaged in a 'sadistic drinking game.' There are no explicit depictions of drug use or heavy intoxication.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Themes of disrespect and rebellion are present, particularly through the children's actions and Mr. Incredible's secret activities. Dash and Violet exhibit defiance towards their mother, and Mr. Incredible actively lies to his family and the government to pursue his superheroics, at one point throwing his boss through multiple walls out of frustration. The movie also explores the idea of not stifling individual giftedness, which can be interpreted as a rebellion against societal norms of conformity.

1. Dash intentionally uses his superpower to put thumbtacks on his schoolteacher's chair as a prank, demonstrating disrespectful and rebellious behavior in a school setting. 2. Mr. Incredible lies to his wife, Helen, about his whereabouts and activities, secretly resuming superhero work instead of attending a supposed 'insurance conference,' which involves a sustained pattern of deception and rebellion against his family's agreement.

Low3

Profanity

The film includes a few instances of mild profanity and exclamations. Mr. Incredible utters an unfinished 'What the…' when startled. Characters also use interjections such as 'oh my god' and 'jeez' a few times throughout the movie. The language is generally considered mild for a PG rating.

Witchcraft & Occult

There is no explicit depiction or mention of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, or magic rituals in 'The Incredibles.' The characters' extraordinary abilities are consistently presented as superpowers, which are inherent genetic traits rather than supernatural or occult forces. The narrative does not involve any demonic or spiritual elements.

1. The powers exhibited by the Incredibles family and other 'Supers' are consistently portrayed as genetic or inherent abilities, such as super strength, elasticity, invisibility, and speed, without any connection to mystical or occult origins. 2. The plot focuses on scientific inventions and advanced technology, such as Syndrome's Omnidroid and zero-point energy, as the sources of conflict and solutions, rather than magical spells or rituals.

Anti-Christian Themes

The film does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes. Instead, several Christian reviewers identify positive moral lessons and themes that align with Christian values, such as the importance of family, using one's unique gifts for good, and fulfilling one's potential. Some analyses even draw parallels between the movie's messages and biblical scripture.

1. The movie strongly emphasizes the importance and strength of the family unit, with the Parr family learning to work together and support each other, which aligns with common Christian family values. 2. A persistent theme highlighted by Christian reviews is that individual giftedness and uniqueness should not be stifled, encouraging characters to fulfill their potential and use their abilities for the good of others, echoing biblical principles of stewardship and service.

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From a Christian worldview, "The Incredibles" presents several themes that align positively with biblical values, particularly the strong emphasis on the family unit and the stewardship of unique gifts. The core message that individuals should embrace and use their talents for good rather than suppressing them resonates with the biblical principle that God gifts individuals for His purposes and to serve others. The film implicitly challenges a relativistic worldview by clearly defining good and evil through the heroic actions of the Parr family against Syndrome's destructive ambition, which is born out of jealousy and rage. Syndrome's ultimate downfall demonstrates moral accountability for vice, while the Parrs are rewarded for their virtue, courage, and self-sacrifice for the greater good. While not explicitly Christian, the transcendent view of life and meaning is suggested through the pursuit of purpose beyond mere earthly existence, hinting at a higher calling to utilize one's abilities for positive impact. The movie powerfully portrays family values, showcasing how relationships, while initially strained by secrecy and dissatisfaction, are strengthened through unity and mutual support. Bob's initial deceit in secretly resuming his heroic activities leads to complications, but the family ultimately comes together, with Helen (Elastigirl) taking a strong leadership role when needed and Bob learning to embrace his family as his true strength. The children, Violet and Dash, also grow in confidence and learn to contribute their unique abilities to the family's collective mission, illustrating the importance of each member's role within the family dynamic. Redemption themes are evident in Bob's journey from a disillusioned hero yearning for past glory to a man who recommits to his family and finds true strength in their collective effort, highlighting sacrifice and the restoration of familial bonds. There is no explicit representation of faith or Christianity in the film, but its underlying moral framework and emphasis on virtue, family, and purposeful living are generally compatible with Christian teachings.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

The Incredibles is rated PG for action violence, and some intense sequences. Given the prolonged and intense cartoon violence, implied themes of marital strain, and subtle rebellious acts, a recommendation of 8+ with parental guidance for children under 13 is appropriate. Younger children may find the violence and peril frightening, and some mature themes might be lost on them.

Good to Know

Parents should be aware that while the film is animated, its tone and action sequences are often more mature and intense than typical 'G' rated Pixar films. The violence, though bloodless, can be impactful and potentially frightening for younger or more sensitive children. Discussions regarding family honesty, marital trust, and balancing personal desires with family responsibilities are prominent themes that may warrant parental conversation. The sequel, 'Incredibles 2', notably intensifies the presence of 'queer coding' discussions in fan communities, though the first film only has speculative mentions.

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