The Incredibles Movie Analysis Essay Example

At first glance The Incredibles might just seem like any animated kids movie. The plot involves a superhero forced into retirement, struggling with his new mundane life, and risking his family for a chance for some action. But scenes in which the main character is forced to let crime happen to keep his job, uses a hostage for selfish reasons, and saving the city we see that the movie is also about morality, and the need to do good.

The first time we see Bob struggling with the idea of morality is during the exposition of the film in the scene where he loses his job. He goes from a superhero to a claims adjuster at an insurance company that makes a living off of exploiting people. His frustrations reach a boiling point when he's scolded by his boss over the fact that he's helping his customers too much. During the argument the movie uses rack focus to bring attention to a muggin taking place outside. The focus shifting shows us the relationship between Bob and the events taking place outside, showing that he has the power to stop it. Bob knows that it would be morally right to stop the mugging, but can’t out of fear of getting fired. Bob is forced to pick between working an immoral job or risking the stability of his life, and he chooses to live morally by getting fired.

The second example is also where we see a transformation in Bob, he realizes that the most important thing in his life is being a good person. Bob is trapped by Syndrome and has just found out his family is dead, but gets a chance to escape by grabbing Mirage and threatening to kill her. Push ins are used on both Bob and Syndrome, creating tension, and showing that anything could happen. The last push in ends on Bob, emphasizing the surrender in his facial expression. He realizes he is not able to continue hurting, much less “crush” Mirage, because it would go against everything he wants to be. Bob wants to be a superhero because helping people is the morally right thing to do, and hurting Mirage would compromise his morals. 

The resolution shows us Bob after his transformation and our last piece of evidence by showing us that Bob works best when he knows he is doing the right thing. Syndrome’s robot has lost control and is destroying the city, leaving Bob, his family, and Frozone to save everyone. As opposed to the other scenes Bob doesn’t have an internal conflict between doing what's best for himself and doing what is morally right by ignoring the superhero ban. He instantly knows that he is going to save the city. The film used non diegetic sound in the form of music, it is upbeat and punchy, showing that Bob is in his element. Not only are his family and Frozone supporting him, but so are the citizens who know that he is breaking the law. Bob gets rewarded for doing the right thing.