The Kid Factor
The movie is rated PG for "Action Violence," the first non-G rating for a Pixar film in the US. People get hit, things (and a few people) get blown up. Things get a bit anguished at times, and slightly dark, and a bit alarming. Katherine, who's going on 4½, and who's well familiar with Jonny Quest (the violence and menace are at a similar level) and Justice League, started out the movie over between Doyce and Lori, but, about mid-way through, moved over to sit on her mother's lap. She opined it was a little scary, and that she wished she had brought Blue Bunny with her — but that was the extent of her upset, and she laughed and cheered at many of the parts. Overall, she said she enjoyed it, and she sat through the whole thing, and I don't think any lasting harm was done. I probably wouldn't have taken her a year ago, but she was able to handle it now.

Extra bits
In addition to main feature, the movie started with an entertaining (and much more kid-sensible) short Pixar tale, Boundin', an uplifting story of a dancing sheep and a jackalope (and one which is oddly and unexpectedly appropriate for this post-election period). And, yes, we got to see the Star Wars Ep. III trailer, which, remarkably, still gets the pulse pounding, even as you know that Lucas will manage to screw it up again.

The only thing missing from The Incredibles was Pixar's trademark end-credit out-takes and fun bits. The end credits were creative, but nothing overly special.

In short
I'm not sure I agree with those who suggest that this is the best super-hero movie ever — but the bar just got firmly nailed up higher, both in terms of what will need to be visually presented, and what will need to be described believably in a world of super-heroes.

Overall, I highly recommend The Incredibles for lots of entertainment, lots of eye candy, a true appreciation for the genre, and just plain fun leavened with a spice of seriousness.

(Originally posted at my blog.)