During an in-depth discussion on how the growth and maturity of current cartoons from past cartoons have changed, a fellow co worker described his take on The Incredibles Disney movie that never crossed my mind. Each Incredible’s super powers are associated to their family social role.
While doing light (and I use that term loosely) research, many of the essays out there on The Incredibles are about self identity and acceptance. However, if we analyze each characters, we see how the creators of The Incredibles picked and catered their powers to their personality and family social role.
Mr. Incredible
Mr. Incredible, pre marriage and during marriage, is shown as a manly man – the family supporter. When we are children, we see our fathers as strong and family provider. With this mindset, we see Mr. Incredible’s powers as abnormal strength.
Ms. Incredible
Because Ms. Incredible is the homemaker and mom of the family, her powers associate with her ability to be “pulled” in different directions. However, she is still able to keep her shape, which is who she is. So no matter if she is her husband’s wife, her family’s cook/maid, or her children’s mother, she is still the same person after having to wear many different hats.
Violet
During The Incredibles, we see Violet during a precious time for her – the most awkwardest time in her life- her pre-teens. While trying to gain self confidence within her family and with boys, Violet’s power of invisibility is much like on how some pre-teens feel during puberty. Because of the hormonal changes going within their body, many pre-teens feel invisible within their family and society because they have yet understand where they stand in the world.
Dash
I described Dash’s super powers of speed with those of a mischevious young boy – always on the go and always running around a million miles per hour. (I have a little boy, and my family calls him Dash because he’s always on the go.)
Baby Jack
Baby Jack’s powers are unknown like most infants’ personalities. When babies are born, it usually takes a while for their personalities to develop, as did Baby Jack’s powers.
As I rewatch The Incredibles with my son, I realize that many of the situations in the movie are relate-able to real life family issues. Though being kidnapped by a crazed ex fan is a little out there, issues like a father being under valued, mother having to be the leader during chaos are all issues that occur to us and to our family. I believe this is why many age ranges enjoy movies like The Incredibles because it is relate-able in various situations.
Life and Times of A Working Mom 