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.
Can't even shout, Can't even cry. The Gentlemen are coming by. Looking in windows, knocking on doors. They need to take seven, and they might take yours. Can't call to mom, can't say a word. You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard.
Dream Girl ,'Bring On The Night'
Buffista Movies 4: Straight to Video
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
bon bon - Aug 30, 2005 6:44:33 am PDT #6921 of 10002
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
Jessica - Aug 30, 2005 6:45:36 am PDT #6922 of 10002
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
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.)
Aims - Aug 30, 2005 7:05:37 am PDT #6923 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
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.
Jessica - Aug 30, 2005 7:09:42 am PDT #6924 of 10002
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
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?
Aims - Aug 30, 2005 7:12:30 am PDT #6925 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
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.
Jessica - Aug 30, 2005 7:21:59 am PDT #6926 of 10002
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
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.
Tom Scola - Aug 30, 2005 7:27:38 am PDT #6927 of 10002
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
I read the whole film as Brad Bird's reaction to getting shitcanned by Warner.
flea - Aug 30, 2005 7:29:07 am PDT #6928 of 10002
information libertarian
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.
Frankenbuddha - Aug 30, 2005 7:30:12 am PDT #6929 of 10002
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
My main problem with Syndrome is Brad Bird's voice. Which I hate.
Err, wasn't Jason Lee the voice of Syndrome? I thought Brad Bird only did the costume designer.
flea - Aug 30, 2005 7:31:07 am PDT #6930 of 10002
information libertarian
Oh, really? Syndrome sounds just like Bird when he talks in the extras. I just assumed. Damn, am I misplacing my hate?