Fun is in the Details: The Incredibles

Pixar's latest film The Incredibles has no doubt captured a huge following amongst schoolkids and animation and cinema fans – as it should. It's an extraordinary film. In fact it's an extraordinary genre film – it cleverly uses the conventions of the 'superhero/action' genre, bends, warps and twists them and delivers an entirely expected but exciting conclusion (with a hint – of course – of a possible sequel). Its very savvy self-awareness and clever references to pop culture, 'the superhero' and suburban life, and its beautifully drawn/devised characters and production design definitely make it a stand-out film.

And it's just a very small thing, but The Incredibles even gets the minute little typographic details on things only visible for a second in the background – completely right. It's this manic, obsessive attention to detail everywhere throughout the film that make it such a rich and entertaining cinematic experience.

Design Observer have already discussed the design aspects, influences and references contained within The Incredibles but there's more to be said on the use of type in the film.

Often in a film, even though lavish attention has been paid to recreating hairstyles, colour palettes and fashions of a particular period, type doesn't really get considered. An example: a film set in say, the 1920's uses artificially condensed Helvetica or a similar typeface on the newspaper headline (visible once it stops spinning). Happens time and time again – it's not a big issue, but it's there. And when it is addressed properly – you really do notice and it can't help but add to the impact of a particular scene or shot.

A case in point here are the printed ephemera (posters, packs and magazines) that are found in many scenes of the film – historically, all the type is very accurate (the film is set in a contemporary yet retro 50s/60s era). A great example is Mr Incredible's superhero costume. His old one had a 1940s/50's style 'I' stitched on the front, but when he updates his (and his family's) costumes, they all now feature a high-tech, drip-dry, stretchable, non-tearable, breathable fabric complete with a reworked and contemporary 'swooshy I' logo.

The number of 'superhero', sci-fi and design references made within The Incredibles is dizzying. 'Typo-Incredible' and most enjoyable.

Comments

[Cash Nexus]

My wife gave me the book The Art of The Incredibles [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0811844331/002-2707341-4900040]
and it is beautiful. The minute details that you mention are discussed here at length. The attention to typographical elements, the stylistic nuances, even the sketches and roughs adhere to a cohesive design. A very well thought-out production.
I haven't seen the movie but I think this book is so beautifully designed that it stands on its own.

[Roberto]

Do you know where can I get an image of Edna's House?
It's amazing

[Creford]

How wonderful it is! Today, I had seen the film - "The Incredibles" this afternoon, My father also had seen this film in this evening. This cartoon movie is powered by Disney-Pixar.
In this film, I love the people's sensation, scene, bugbears. The scene is so sublime.
With the great imagination.

[Marc]

A nice little trip around Pixar Studios http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=19658#1