in real life, there are no eight-year-old superheroes

That you know of.

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Right-wingers often cite noted lefty Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" story, too, as an example of art demonstrating what they consider the logical consequence of the left's adherence to social equality. But I think it's a spurious point; while the totalitarian left has implemented policies that enforce equality through oppression (such as the Cultural Revolution, the Khmer Rouge, Stalin's pograms), no democratic leftists has ever, or would ever, by definition, push such a program. And it's certainly not like the right-wingers have the moral high ground, what with their totalitarian governments enforcing inequality through oppression. In fact, I think it's safe to say that most democratic thinkers of all stripes find those totalitarian governments embarrassing.

So, I don't think that the politics are as cut-and-dried as that, Raq.

On another point, I used to often judge art by its politics. Now, though, while I may not agree with the politics of Dostoevsky, H.L. Mencken, G.K. Chesterton, or, hell, half of the great poets of the 20th Century (who, as Richard Hugo put it, often mistook their own personal conservatism for political), I figured out that I don't need to agree with them to love their work. And that cuts both ways: I find Michael Moore tiresome, Janeane Garofalo unfunny (at least when she talks about politics - and, y'know, that goes for David Cross, too, who is squandering his talent as the foremost satirist of his age bitching about how dumb Bush is, 'cause, yeah, we get it), and I wish Billy Bragg had learned from his experience playing Woody Guthrie songs that you can say much more about politics by talking about something else.

OK, I see that article now (and others like it). I take the point that the movie can be read an indictment of an exaggerated form of political correctness ("if everyone is special, no one is")-- but at the same time, it can be read as an indictment of politics of exclusion (superheroes are marginalized minorities)-- like The Iron Giant.

I didn't react quite as strongly as Raq, but every time I've watched The Incredibles, I've had a more and more negative reaction to it, and eventually it became unwatchable. I can't get past how much I identify with Syndrome and hate Mr Incredible. (I keep trying to see it as something other than Physical Powers = Good, Brain Powers = Evil, because I know that Pixar is chock full of geeks, but it just hits me too hard. And it makes me too angry to enjoy the parts of the movie I still like.)

Physical Powers = Good, Brain Powers = Evil

That never pinged me. Huh. I always see/saw it as "Trying to be something you aren't + cape = bad, bad things". I also loved that the "mental stimulation" was what brough Jack-Jack's powers out.

But, YIncrediblesMV.

Trying to be something you aren't

But WHY? If he can build an airplane, doesn't he have as much right to fly as someone gifted with flying powers?

But WHY? If he can build an airplane, doesn't he have as much right to fly as someone gifted with flying powers?

He does have the right to fly. To me, it wasn't about the powers. It was about the motivation. Syndrome only wanted to help people so he could get the glory and the admiration. He wanted to be looked at as special. And when Mr Incredible brushed him off, he becomes obsessed with making sure NO one can be special, just because he couldn't. He didn't want to be a "hero", in (my) definition of the word. He just wanted to be popular.

For me, I related to him because instead of coming out as a kid and saying "Look at all this cool stuff I can make!" and showing off his genius, he hid it. And tried to tie his cart to someone else's wagon. I did the same thing. And that, was wrong. IMVHO.

Syndrome only wanted to help people so he could get the glory and the admiration.

Because in the beginning, when he was just a nerdy kid, that's what Mr Incredible taught him being a hero was about. But since the Incredible family's powers are special, they all turn out just great, even though their dad's an elitist prick.

I read the whole film as Brad Bird's reaction to getting shitcanned by Warner.

My main problem with Syndrome is Brad Bird's voice. Which I hate. (I mean, I hate the man's natural voice. I know he can't help it.)

My main problem with The Incredibles is the gender and family stereotyping. I liked it the least of all the Pixar films. But the short on the DVD, Boundin', is pure gold.