“Done properly, parenting is a heroic act … done properly.”

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There are days …

When you have four young children, there are days …

There are days when Daddy is at work, when Daddy is taking pictures, when Daddy is performing, when Daddy is traveling. On those days, my wife is Super Mom! She, without fail, supports me in all my “when Daddy is …” days. She recognizes my need to be away at times, and she taps into her “super” reserves. While she is accomplishing miracles at home, I am conscious of my absence and heart-broken at its imagined-implications. Are there too many “when Daddy is…” days? Do my kids need me? Miss me? Do the ends justify the means?

There are days …

There are days when Mommy is at work, when Mommy is running errands, when Mommy is in a meeting, when Mommy is helping others. On those days … I am holding on for DEAR-LIFE! How she does it, I will never know! I am putting out fires (figuratively … so far). I am calming tantrums. I am chasing run-aways. I am exorcizing dirty diapers. I am trying to give each of my children my undivided attention and care … all at the same time! Instead of tapping into my “super”-reserves, I am breaking into my survival-kit and rationing out cans of baked beans. On a “when Mommy is …” day, I MISS my wife. I am conscious of my inadequacies and reminded of her strengths.

There are days when we are all together — those are my favorite.

The movie begins where the last one left off (fourteen years ago!): The Incredibles have returned to their beloved-city bonded and closer-than-ever. They have conquered evil … and it took all of them to do it! Although one may fall short, the family is invincible.

Fresh off of their victory, another villain surfaces. Even if the government outlaws their powers and suppresses their existence, they can no longer live in fear. As a family, this battle, too, shall be won … until it isn’t. The bad-guy escapes and the city is wrecked. Sure — some innocent people are saved; that isn’t “news-worthy,” though. What is “news-worthy” is failure, carnage, destruction, and the possibility of repetition. The supers are worse off now than when this day started. They are scolded for their action and placed further under-ground.

The family’s same battle returns: When the world is ashamed of you, how can you be satisfied in yourself?

Their long-term-motel situation is interrupted by a benefactor — he claims to have supers’ best interests at heart. He claims to be able to shift the cultural-tide back toward their admiration and freedom. With his own system of “risk-management,” he has determined that Elastigirl is their best-bet toward re-admittance. If she continues “the fight” but allows the public to see her “plight,” their sympathies and applause will quickly follow. With a tiny camera in her suit, everyone will see what it means to be selflessly super.

This is a chance to change society, but it is also a chance only given to Helen. Bob, on the other hand, must swallow his Incredible-pride and stay home with the kids. Super-human strength is great … but it doesn’t change diapers, or do homework, or solve teenage-relationship turmoil. This is a job for a dad. A plain old dad.

My favorite part of the movie (besides “the raccoon part”…you’ll know it when you see it) is the family dynamic. It is shifting, ever changing, but integral and worth fighting for. Each family member is confronted with “love in the face of obligation.” What a true-to-life struggle! What we have to do is often not what we want to do. Where we are is often not where we want to be. The modern-world (no matter how much I gripe) demands much — it requires intentional sacrifice to love properly and effectively.

Whether life has you “saving the world” or “at home with the kids,” find the importance of what you are doing and who you are doing it for. You may not always be where you want to be, but there is significance in where you are. You may not always be doing what you want to be doing, but there is impact in what you are doing. Fight the urge to be unsettled and unsatisfied. My time away deepens my time at home. My time at home clarifies my time away.

The movie is great! I was very worried that, after fourteen years, the magic was gone. It is a Hollywood-cliche at this point to resurrect things no matter what! What is now apparent, though, is Brad Bird (writer/director) was waiting for it to be worth it! He was waiting for the right inspiration. I am thankful for his patience. What could have been ruined in its haste ten years ago is wonderful in its restraint now!

Bird’s script and direction are delightful. His dialogue and humor are better-than-ever. His character development is organic and fun. Even his choice of villain is fresh and timely. I loved all the old-favorites and enjoyed the new-additions, as well! My one issue with Mr. Bird: why the two random curse words? Come-on, culture…give my kids a break.

Our household has always been torn on the coolest Incredibles-super-power, but this movie really puts that debate to rest — Jack-Jack, for sure! He is the Jack-of-all-trades.

In the year 2032, I can’t wait to land my flying car on a floating city, purchase my popcorn-pill-substitute with my retinal-scan-currency, and sit down with my adult children to watch Incredibles 3! Don’t let me down Pixar! I’m preordering my tickets now.

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Report Card

Grade: A

Comment: A sequel painstakingly planned and performed