WE LOVE PIXAR: Incredible Ideas at Work In 'The Incredibles'

“They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity.”

– Bob Parr/ Mr. Incredible

Children across America are getting awards. All the time. These accolades are not for academic excellence or superior athletic achievements. They are receiving certificates and applause for handing in their homework on time, paying attention in class, and walking in line without kicking another kid. They are celebrating the stuff that we expect them to do, not the exceptional feats that overwhelm us emotionally and make us update our Facebook status. Perhaps the writer of The Incredibles was as disturbed by this trend as I was and delivered an adventure for those who recognize true greatness.

I used to love going to the movies–but that has changed. Frankly, not since The Lord of the Rings trilogy have I felt the ride was worth the price of admission. Regardless of how I felt about the decline of the art form, I had to curtail my movie going, anyway. My husband and I have an autistic son with sensory issues that prevent him from being able to enjoy the experience. So we started a tradition in our house called “Movie Night.” We pull out the sofa bed, make popcorn, get in our pajamas and pick a movie to watch together. We have made some terrible mistakes. Where the Wild Things Are barely resembled the book I loved as a child and certainly was not a family film. It is a depressing story with no resolution or hope. I don’t want my family films to be depressing. I want to be motivated, transported, and moved.

Pixar never fails to entertain. Ever since our son was born we’ve been enjoying most everything they put out, from endearing shorts like Boundin’ to the groundbreaking classic, Toy Story. Finding Nemo not only piqued my boy’s interest in the sea; it also showed him that a deformed fin doesn’t have to hold you back. I love a good romance but never thought I would be able to enjoy one with my family until Up delivered one of the most romantic animated stories ever made. The Incredibles, my favorite Pixar film, taps into the core values that my husband and I believe in for our family and our country.

Although the film was released in 2004, The Incredibles continues to entertain and is even more relevant today. It is easy to draw parallels to what is currently going on in the world. Bob and Helen Parr are superheroes that are not allowed to be super. Their crime fighting days were cut short by an overly litigious society that forced them into hiding and living an ordinary life. To make matters worse, their superhero offspring are also forced to pretend to be something they are not–normal. Thank goodness they find it difficult. For when trouble strikes we look to the truly exceptional members of society to step up and protect those that need it and defeat the ones that mean to do us harm. In the larger, real world, this job often falls upon America.

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While watching Helen try to sell this line of thinking to her son Dash, I couldn’t help but feel that Elastigirl knows this is a load of bull. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that feel this way in America. Somewhere along the line pride in America became a bad thing. If you fly a flag or celebrate our great achievements then you are likely to be seen as too boastful or arrogant. Some people revel in our failures and setbacks possibly because it makes them feel better about their own. Never fear, for there are also people out there that want us to be what we are: strong, innovative and tough leaders. They don’t want us to be like everyone else.

The film’s writer/director, Brad Bird, first caught our family’s eye when we saw Iron Giant. I don’t care how many times I’ve seen that film, I still get a tear in my eye when the Iron Giant points his fist to the heavens and says “I am Superman.” It’s those moments that stick with a kid for life and make a parent feel that they have chosen a film that can teach a child something meaningful. I want my son raised knowing that we value those people who need protection just as much as we do the people that volunteer to protect them.

“But things are different now. And doubt is a luxury we can’t afford anymore sweetie. You have more power than you realize. Don’t think. And don’t worry! If the time comes, you’ll know what to do. It’s in your blood”

–Helen Parr to her daughter Violet

There was a time when my son perseverated on this part of the film by playing this scene repeatedly. I don’t know why, but I can only guess it was because of the action. I’ve heard these words over and over again and they stay with me. It’s a great rallying cry to those who have the natural ability to excel. You hear that, America? I’m the type of mother that wants my child to fight back when attacked. That’s just who I am. I don’t want him to be the aggressor, but when a kid on the playground has every intention of hurting him, I sure hope it’s in my son’s blood to know what to do.

In the film, Bob Parr a.k.a. Mr. Incredible is tired of hiding and wants to act. But he can’t do it alone. He needs the support of his family to defeat Syndrome and any other foe that attempts to destroy their way of life. I love that my son still has some good role models in Hollywood. They reinforce what we teach him at home. Some mothers want to shield their children from violence, bullying and those that hate us. I want my son to know that evil is out there and it is important to fight back. If films like The Incredibles show our children that it is okay to be super, maybe they will be encouraged to dig deep and find the superhero inside themselves.