Pixar's latest The Incredibles is incredibly derivative but exhilirating. Here's just a few borrowings: society outlaws and shuns masked adventurers (Alan Moore's Watchmen); second-rate series sidekick grows up to be demonic villain (Alan Moore's Miracleman); villain has private tropical island fortress (Bond films); high speed chase through the trees (Return of the Jedi)--etc. etc. I thought I'd given up on rubbery skinned Pixar universe after Nemo but the helming of Iron Giant director Brad Bird brought me back; he's a terrific visual storyteller even when you know every...single...thing...that's...going...to...happen. And I realize the filmgoing demographic demands "family values" but the working Dad, childraising Mom, 2.5 kids in a 50s suburban tract home is an impossible (or undesirable) ideal for so many people today it's irritating that Disney keeps pounding it in as a "norm." Where's grandma, or stepdad? Not to be too much of a grouch, though, because it's genuinely uplifting watching the beat-down kids getting to finally use their "powers," no matter how well adjusted and normal (i.e. privileged) they are.
That's not just an ordinary suburban tract home...
http://www.designobserver.com/archives/000227.html
|
Pixar's latest The Incredibles is incredibly derivative but exhilirating. Here's just a few borrowings: society outlaws and shuns masked adventurers (Alan Moore's Watchmen); second-rate series sidekick grows up to be demonic villain (Alan Moore's Miracleman); villain has private tropical island fortress (Bond films); high speed chase through the trees (Return of the Jedi)--etc. etc. I thought I'd given up on rubbery skinned Pixar universe after Nemo but the helming of Iron Giant director Brad Bird brought me back; he's a terrific visual storyteller even when you know every...single...thing...that's...going...to...happen. And I realize the filmgoing demographic demands "family values" but the working Dad, childraising Mom, 2.5 kids in a 50s suburban tract home is an impossible (or undesirable) ideal for so many people today it's irritating that Disney keeps pounding it in as a "norm." Where's grandma, or stepdad? Not to be too much of a grouch, though, because it's genuinely uplifting watching the beat-down kids getting to finally use their "powers," no matter how well adjusted and normal (i.e. privileged) they are.
- tom moody 12-08-2004 8:33 am
That's not just an ordinary suburban tract home...
http://www.designobserver.com/archives/000227.html
- Todd W. (guest) 12-11-2004 12:34 am