The Parrs’ are back and more incredible than ever.

Contains spoilers

The animated superhero film that put the world on the edge of their seat finally returned after the 14-year wait. The sequel kicks off right where it started – the Underminer trying to rob a bank and the Parrs’ along with Frozone failing to catch him. Surprisingly, after the Underminer slips through their fingers, we do not see him again in the film. However, it is evident that the Underminer is just a small bump in the road towards something much more, dare I say… incredible.

The lights and cameras shift to Helen, or as she is more commonly known to the world, Elastigirl. Helen, Bob and Lucius are approached by Winston Deavor and his sister, Evelyn Deavor. They own a telecommunications company, DEVTECH, with Winston fronting this organization and Evelyn developing the technology. The siblings explain the sad demise of their father and then Winston goes on to optimistically explain how he wants to bring back what his father had once believed in: the legalisation of Supers. However, this can only be done with Elastigirl at the helm of it all since, according to Evelyn, she is the least destructive out of the trio.

Then we drive into a world where Elastigirl takes centre stage and kicks-ass all while saving the city and fighting off a villain bigger than her. It seems we see a new side to Helen as she goes back to being a superhero while Bob takes care of the kids. It is refreshing to see a change in the parenting dynamics that may not have transitioned so well had Brad Bird not come back to write and direct the sequel. We see a closeness between Bob and his children – Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack and an air of independence for Helen.

It is truly brilliant to see Holly Hunter take Helen and bring her to the forefront. Hunter provides so much more tenacity to the character this time around and does it so effortlessly. Helen is a beacon for all the Supers in the film, to show the world that they need them. She is also doing this not only for herself, but for her family in order to secure a better future for them.

Speaking of said children, we see Violet struggling with being a teenager, Dash struggling with math homework and Jack-Jack developing an array of powers ranging from laser beam eyes to disappearing into the fourth dimension. A sleep deprived Bob who cannot seem to keep everything under control at home then goes to “Aunty” Edna for help with Jack-Jack.

The minute that Brad Bird’s distinctive accent of Edna Mode comes on screen, you can hear a grin from the audiences. Would it really be The Incredibles without the renowned superhero costume designer who took the world by storm back in 2004? The brilliance of Edna Mode’s mind and style is showcased in this film yet again and she is riveting when on screen. Her bluntness is admirable even if she is only on screen for a few minutes.

Bird brings in a lot more humour, heart and characters to this sequel that will leave fans wanting more. It is one of those rare movies that lives up to its predecessor. The Incredibles 2 is definitely a movie worth watching. It is one that will continue to steal the hearts of its viewers for years to come – in an Edna Mode fashion.

Written by: Shaleen Surendra