Incredibles 2 review: Pixar stars embark on power trip

The hi-jinks that ensue are a nice way to re-introduce us to the otherwise-normal family: Mr Incredible/Bob (Craig T Nelson), Elastigirl/Helen (Holly Hunter) and their three kids Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile).

But in a similar vein to Captain America: Civil War (aka Avengers 13) their heroics aren’t appreciated by the powers-that-be.

After totting up the damage made to municipal property during their foiling of The Underminer, the superheroes are declared outlaws.

Help arrives, though, in the form of telecommunications company mogul Winston Deaver (Bob Odenkirk) and his tech-whizz sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) who convince the Parrs that a little PR spin will change the politicians’ minds.

A clever touch is that they only want Elastigirl for their new publicity campaign.

They kit her up with a new bendy superbike and a moody grey-and-black suit and pack her off to take on the villainous Screenslaver (Bill Wise). In-suit cameras will beam the action to the viewing public.

So while the film follows her high-octane adventures it also cuts to scenes showing Mr Incredible trying to run the house.

This requires the hulking ex-crime fighter to flex a new set of muscles.

Violet is having boyfriend problems, Dash has a tricky maths assignment and the baby is suffering from a superhero version of teething troubles.

Elastigirl’s attempt to stop a runaway train is the most exciting part in the film but a delightful sequence where Jack-Jack discovers some new powers while fighting a raccoon is the most memorable.

The familiar plot, and its very guessable twist, is a bit less special.

Cinemas are now awash with spandex and what felt fresh in 2004 is now feeling a little stale.

The film could have also done with a little more of Samuel L Jackson’s Frozone who appears in the opening action scene but is left in the cold until the film’s finale.

But never underestimate Pixar’s superpowers. In the end, gorgeous animation, great voice acting and a witty script save the day.