Why So Blu?

Incredibles 2 (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Of all the properties produced from the goliath animation studio known as Pixar, the one with the most rampant sequel potential has always been and still is, The Incredibles. And it seems like its the one that has taken the longest to get one since they started doing them for Non-Toy Story and Cars films. And did ya think people were clamoring for a sequel to this or what? Opening to an almost $200 million and going on to gross over $1.2 billion this summer, the evidence and cries throughout the years were obviously warranted. People were hungry as hell for a sequel. And that it turned out so damn well is just the perfect storm for everyone. Its coming home where we can digest it over and over on November 6th. We’ve been given our Incredibles sequel, now will we be given an Incredibles 2? Hopefully it won’t be another 14 years to see if there is.

Film 

Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen is in the spotlight, leaving Bob at home with Violet and Dash to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transistion for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.

Fourteen years ago, I was looking forward to a movie, but didn’t realize I would come away from it over the moon. Disney’s The Incredibles was one of the best super hero movies I’d ever seen and it wasn’t based off anything and was a Disney/Pixar film. I came out floored, seeing cues from various comic properties utilized that couldn’t even do them properly themselves at the time. I had thought the film had sequel potential out the wahzoo. The years passed and I just sort of thought the window had passed. When Brad Bird had a failed film (Tomorrowland) and then announced he’d be doing Incredibles 2, it felt like a forced return. I couldn’t have been more than happy to have been proven so wrong.

I dig that the film decides to follow up not too long after the events of the first film instead of making it a big “return” after 14 years. And there doesn’t feel like a lag at all. It brings to the table a good dynamics and an honest approach to how to bring the return of the heroes. And Mr Incredible and Elastigirl’s arcs are much stronger and more dynamic from where they are taking it. And it all trickles down through the rest of the narrative and really makes for a bold story.

What was really great was to see Brad Bird back in action. After dropping in to try out real people for a little bit, crafting the action classic Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol in the process, he returns to his animation wheelhouse. And damn, there are some of the best sequences of the year here. Best of all, and maybe was arguing for best of the year until Bird’s other franchise he’s touched came along, was the sequence with Elastigirl going on a chase to stop a runaway train. Its fantastic filmmaking at every level with tremendous geography and is a story all in its own.

Incredibles 2 was a long time coming in terms of fans waiting for another entry in the series. Something that was never promised or a given. Personally I had gone from wanting it, to not caring, to thinking it was desperate when it was announced, to excited to LOVING the film. Will there be a third? I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy the second one since its one we do have and its perfect. For some of the best action, vision and good family comedy of the year, its a no-brainer you can turn to back to The Incredibles once again.

Video 

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Layers: BD-66

Clarity/Detail: Incredibles 2 winds up being a 4K upscale as it was reportedly finished with a 2K digital intermediate. Bummer, but this still looks quite terrific. Its a noticeable bump over the already impressive standard Blu-ray presentation. It features much bolder and better color saturation. There are also good glowing HDR moments that don’t show up in the standard presentation. Animation has proven to be a shoulder shrug most of the time in terms of “is it a worthy upgrade”, but this one really does stand out in comparison.

Depth:  The film is wonderfully three dimensional with good well-rounded looking characters and smooth camera movements and character ones. No distortion issues occur.

Black Levels: Blacks are natural and come on very solid. They do a good job of outlining and shading and there is still a lot of visible information within.

Color Reproduction: Colors look absolutely wonderful here and pop right off the frame. Reds, blues, anything really. It features tremendous saturation and vibrancy. HDR comes in quite well in perfect little places like displays, tail lights, computer graphics, glowing eyes and more.

Flesh Tones: N/A

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio 

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus

Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Dynamics: I think Disney has finally shook off its Atmos problem. Ant-Man and the Wasp was a pretty much regular, but Incredibles 2 is fantastic. This track is loud and I’m not talking turn your default up a bit and you’re fine loud. You likely can just hit play on this one. Its got some fantastic dynamics with loud vocals, effects and a booming subwoofer present. It feels awkward for commending Disney for doing what they were supposed to be doing, and what majority of the studio do by default, BUT- this is a particularly great audio track with a very impactful and involving presentation.

Height: They have a lot of fun with the speakers above. Vehices drive over or fly by. Lasers zip and zap, people stretch across and much, much more.

Low Frequency Extension: Unlike previous Disney tracks (Pre-Ant-Man And The Wasp), this thing is deep, loud and pounding. Right from the start with the opening action sequence with the Underminer, you’ll be hearing the constant thumping and blasts that will be on display throughout the film.

Surround Sound Presentation: As one can expect, the speaker usage is taken to the max here. Sound travel rolls wonderfully around the room and the mix has every spot of an environment clearly thought through and figured out for unique effects to bring every place to life.

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are clear and crisp with good attention to detail on the diction of the actors’ line readings.

Extras 

Incredibles 2 4K Ultra-HD is a 3-Disc set that comes with the standard Blu-ray edition (2-Discs) and a digital copy of the film. All bonus materials are found on the standard Blu-ray discs.

Blu-ray Disc 1

Audio Commentary

• Animators Alan Barillaro (supervising animator), Tony Fucile (supervising animator, story artist and character designer), Dave Mullins (supervising animator) and Bret Parker (animation second unit and crowds supervisor)

Bao (HD, 7:41) – The short film that played before the film theatrically.

Auntie Edna (HD, 5:08) – A new short film that finds Auntie Edna babysitting little Jack Jack.

Strong Coffee: A Lesson In Animation With Brad Bird (HD, 18:50) – A featurette focusing on working with the film’s director and giving us plenty of clips of him on the job.  Many people talk about animating and finishing up the film. This really gives the animators a personality and lends more to their experience in making the film.

Blu-ray Disc 2

Heroes & Villains (HD, 25:35) – These are little pieces that have the voice actor and other cast/crew discussing the particular character and especially where they are at in relation to the film’s narrative.

• Mr Incredible
• Elastigirl
• The Parr Kids
• Frozone
• Edna Mode
• Winston Deavor
• Evelyn Deavor
• Wannabes

Vintage Features

Vintage Toy Commercials

• Mr Incredible (HD, :32)
• Elastigirl (HD, :32)
• Frozone (HD, :32)

Character Theme Songs

• Mr Incredible (HD, :32)
• Elastigirl (HD, :32)
• Frozone (HD, :32)

Deleted Scenes with Introductions and Analysis by Brad Bird (HD, 39:44)

Trailers and Promo

Trailers

• Powers: Global Teaser Trailer (HD, :56)
• Family: Global Trailer (HD, 2:20)
• Theatrical Payoff: Japanese Trailer (HD, 2:00)

Promo

• Super Moments (HD, 4:03)

Digital Exclusive

The Coolest Guy In Show Business (HD) – As of writing this review, this feature has not appeared yet.

Summary 

Incredibles 2 is a mighty fine follow up to the original film and great one in its own right. This 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray from Disney is a great moment for the format. Notably, Disney has done a damn fine job with an Atmos track. Also, the video proves a nice jump in quality, which is typically tough for an animated feature to showcase. Extras are informative, plenty and very fun. You’re going to pick this up, that’s not in doubt, but, grab the 4K edition of the film, easily.