1) The Incredibles
Like Megamind, The Incredibles shows that the only true way to bring superheroes to life is through computer animation. Brad Bird’s 2004 film from Disney and Pixar tells the tale of a family of superheroes who have been forced to hide their powers and live a quiet, suburban life. That comes easier for some members of the household than others, but when a new threat arises, they all come out of hiding and band together as one to save the day.
Bird himself has described the film as an homage to 1960s comic books and spy films, and those influences are clearly and loudly felt throughout. It’s sports the fun, adventurous tone that audiences so crave from superhero cinema, but continue’s Pixar’s trend of imbuing the proceedings with heartfelt stories that carry true depth and emotion.
The Incredibles succeeds as both a superhero comedy and a pastiche of classic superhero stories. It also manages to poke fun at the genre as a whole while fully embracing all of its quirks and cliches. Characters laugh about supervillain monologues and discuss the dangers of wearing capes on the job. But Bird never crosses the line and openly makes fun of the genre. Instead, his love of it shines through and makes The Incredibles one of the greatest and most enjoyable superhero films ever made.
Tell us what did you think of this list? Are there any alternative superhero films we missed that you think belong with these entries? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Published: Sep 10, 2014 10:15 pm