It may not be much of a surprise, but my favorite movie of all time is The Incredibles. I have waited anxiously for the sequel and after viewing it over the weekend with my teenage kids, I was not disappointed.

If you don’t count the Toy Story movies (all three are so brilliant, 2 and 3 hardly seem like sequels), then Pixar got into the business of making sequels back in 2011 when they made Cars 2. That movie alone instantly cheapened Pixar’s brand as soon as it came out. The rest of their sequels have been better, but all and all, I have not been a big fan of the idea of Pixar doing sequels. I prefer to see them “wow” us with something fresh every year that takes us to a whole new dimension of great storytelling. The Incredibles, to me, is the one exception beyond Toy Story. The original, way back in 2004, was rich in great characters, a wonderful backstory, a fresh take on superheroes, and the family dynamic that makes it both hilarious and heart-warming at the same time. That being said, here are my thoughts on Incredibles 2. Don’t worry; there are no spoilers below other than a few vague mentions of my favorite scenes.

WHAT I LIKED MOST 

1. The focus on Elastigirl was perfect. She steals every scene she’s in, and her powers are more interesting than Mr. Incredible’s, so why not?
2. The family dynamics were again totally awesome.
3. I loved the plot twists and the overall mysterious tone of scenes between Elastigirl and the villain.
4. My favorite scene was when Elastigirl races across town to catch Screenslaver followed by the battle in his lair.
5. My second favorite was when Jack Jack fights the raccoon.

WHAT WAS SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTING (but not enough to ruin the movie)

1. Not enough of Dash
2. Too much of Jack Jack
3. Violet’s bad attitude got a little annoying after a while

OVERALL

Pixar did what they somehow achieved with the Toy Story Sequels. They made it feel just as important as the first movie. It did not feel like a sequel. It had the core characters that we knew and loved from the first movie, but they all grew and developed in new ways that made the whole movie feel like a new experience. I say, Incredibles 2 is almost neck and neck with Incredibles 1. Part one, in my mind, is still the best, probably because it’s the first and holds such a special place in my heart. Then again, I’ve watched it numerous times whereas I’ve only seen the new one once. So, maybe over time, I’ll decide that movie#2 is better. But, the point is, it’s that close.

The Incredibles 2 is a great movie that is a worthy successor to the first one. It will most likely be the best movie of the summer in box office and fan ratings. Hollywood should take note. We want family friendly movies that are well made with great writing and great characters. I’m glad to see Pixar back on the top of their game. Parents, take your kids. You’ll enjoy it just as much, if not more, than your kids.