So here I am. Right in the middle of putting together this week’s book review for JHM. Which talks all about Mark Cotta Vaz’s snazzy new volume, “The Art of the Incredibles” (Chronicle Books, September 2001). A beautiful new book that belongs on the coffee table of every serious animation fan … When I get this e-mail from JHM contributor Michael Howe, which reads:
Jim:
You’ll never guess what I just got to do. I got to see “The Incredibles” !
The theatre that I work at hosted Chicago’s sneak preview of the picture this evening. And in attendance was “The Incredibles” director Brad Bird as well as the film’s producer, John Walker. Security for this “Incredibles” event was … Well … incredible. The print for this film arrived at our theater in cans that were padlocked with a 4-digit combination. And — as I was assembling the print that night — I was assisted by Jason Hudak, an Assistant Editor at Pixar. Who was there to make sure that the movie looked its best when projected.
So how was “The Incredibles”? Well, given that Brad Bird specifically asked the audience not to go on-line and reveal the film’s secrets, I’m afraid that — out of respect for the movie’s director — I can’t reveal much about the movie’s plot or characters. Other than to say that I wanted to see “The Incredibles” again right after I saw it. This Pixar picture is just that good.
What’s that you say? “Don’t be such a tease, Michael. Tell us SOMETHING about this movie.” Okay. What I can safely say is that Pixar takes a big step forward with “The Incredibles.” That the animation featured in this film is leaps-and-bounds better than anything that this studio has done to date. I sat there — watching this movie’s set pieces — with a huge smile on my face, feeling like I was 8-years-old again.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from “The Incredibles.” To be honest, I was actually concerned that I’d already learned everything that there is to know about this movie by reading stuff on-line. But — happily — “The Incredibles” still packed plenty of surprises. And — trust me, folks — you’ll thank me later for not revealing any of those secrets here.
Still feel like I’m teasing you? Okay. Brad said that I couldn’t talk about anything that I saw in “The Incredibles.” But Mr. Bird didn’t say anything about not talking about what I saw prior to his picture. Which include:
- The first trailer for “Cars,” Pixar Animation Studios’ release for the 2006 holiday season. This project looks kind of intriguing. Sort of like VeggieTales meets that classic Disney short, “Suzie the Little Blue Coup.” This teaser featured some amusing interaction between a rusty old truck and a red sports racer. Which made this John Lasseter movie look like it was really something to look foward to.
- “Boundin’. ” Now, I know that some reviews elsewhere had pegged this short as one of Pixar’s weakest. But — me personally — I think that this Bud Luckey film really has its moments not to mention a nice little positive message. Maybe some folks didn’t like “Boundin’ ” because it’s the first Pixar short to feature narration. But how can you say anything bad about a movie that features such a roly-poly Jackalope?
Anyway … After the movie, Brad Bird had a small Q&A session with the audience. Then “The Incredibles” director hung around to do an autograph session. I got Brad to sign my copy of “The Art of the Incredibles” book (Which I’d just picked up at the Borders bookstore right across from my theater), as well as producer John Walker and the assistant editor Jason Hudak. (Jason was a bit unsure of signing his name on the first page alongside Brad & John. Insisting that his signature would bring down the value of the book. But eventually he settled for the last page).
Speaking of the book … Mark Cotta Vaz did a super job with “The Art of the Incredibles.” This book is presented in the exact same format as last year’s “The Art of Finding Nemo.” (Which — not-so-co-incidentally — was also written by Vaz as well as being published by Chronicles Books.) Which means that all us animation fans have pages & pages of preproduction goodness to pour over.
A word of caution, though. As much as I enjoyed digging through “The Art of the Incredibles,” this attractively designed volume does give away several crucial plot points in the picture. So if you want to experience a spoiler-free screening of Pixar’s latest release, my advise is NOT to read this Mark Cotta Vaz book before November 5th. Particularly the last 10 pages, which reveal the film’s finale as well as Jack-Jack’s secret.
If — on the other hand — you enjoy having a little insight and/or inside info about motion pictures prior to seeing them on the big screen, then I say: Go now. Pick up a copy of this Chronicle Book. Check out the great conceptual paintings that Teddy Newton & Lou Romano did. Which will give a real sense of how the cast of “The Incredibles” came together. As well as offering glimpses of characters & sequences that didn’t make the final cut.
All in all, it’s been a great day for me, Jim. By the way, here’s a picture of me with “The Incredibles” producer & director.
JHM contributor Michael Howe, “Incredibles” producer John Walker & director Brad Bird.
I hope you can use this story, Jim. Meantime, I’m heading for the airport for a trip to California.
Michael Howe
“I hope you can use this story”?! Hell, Michael. You just saved me from having to write a book review for this week. So thanks a lot!
Your thoughts, folks?