The Incredibles Character Analysis

The Significant Ideas Displayed in The Incredibles

The Incredibles presents familiar, yet clever ideas such as the perception of self-worth, conveying resolutions through compromise, and a controversial issue about handling violence properly.

The perception of self-worth seen through the animated characters is relevant to society’s current social political status. The movies sympathetic protagonist Bob is forced into living a normal life when in reality he wants to save peoples lives. As a result, he continues his efforts to save people which causes an increasingly negative effect on his self-esteem and his family life. Bob is neglecting for his family while helping other people. This is a complicated, but understandable situation because Bob like many of us have have moral and selfish reasons for what we do. Similarly Bob’s son Dash, is forced to pretend like he’s not special so that ordinary people feel better about themselves. For instance, Dash is not allowed to participate in sports because people would discover about his superpowers. Dash’s mom Helen, always tells him to do his best, but she does not really mean it. She also tells Dash that everyone is special which confuses Dash making him believe no one is really special. Therefore, Dash underestimates the significance of his superpower. Later, Bob echoes Dash’s sentiment of being special when arguing with Helen. She

complains to Bob that he is missing out on the opportunity to make memories and witness special family events, like Dash’s graduation. This is where Bob is amiss as he feels graduation is not “special” because everyone does it. They are all right and wrong in different ways just like we are. We decide how we will use how our special abilities in the same way they determine when to use their superpowers. Bob and Helens oldest child Violet does not recognize her value in being super until her crush compliments her new hairstyle. He liked how it was different, which made Violet realize that being different is what makes people special. At the end of the movie each character has realized their significant role in society.
Not only do the characters eventually realize their self-worth, but they also learn how to solve problems through compromise.

Bob ultimately gets what he wants, to be a superhero again, but he also learns to better appreciate and care for his family. Helen gets what she wants which is for Bob to excel as a father and husband but she gets that by learning to be a superhero again. Dash gets what he wants, which is to use his powers and excel at what he is good at, but he has to do it with a secret identity. The family grows closer by doing super heroics together only when it is

necessary.
Even though the movie has prime examples valuing self-worth and solving conflicts through compromise, I disagree with the way Mr. Incredible handles Syndrome at the end of the movie. For example, after the youngest Incredible, Jack Jack, is dropped from mid-air by Syndrome, Helen rescues him and the problem is solved. However, Bob takes care of the situation by throwing a car at Syndrome, which caused an explosion that most likely killed him. It was not necessary for Bob to kill Syndrome, but maybe Bob felt he had to kill him in order to protect his family.
The Incredible’s journey makes us laugh and think at the same time. Although there is suspicion in handling violent situations, this movie brings modern aspects of self-worth and compromise to the familiar ideas making it the best superhero movie ever created.