The Incredibles

1. The Incredibles Gifted Resources Film Discussion Series

2. 'The Incredibles' follows the adventures of a family of former superheroes rediscovering the true source of their powers - in one another. Once one of the world's top masked crime fighters, Bob Parr (AKA Mr. Incredible) fought evil and saved lives on a daily basis. But fifteen years later, he and his wife Helen (a famous former superhero in her own right) have been forced to take on civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs. Today they live as mere mortals and lead all-too-ordinary lives with their children... who go out of their way to appear "normal." As a clock-punching insurance man, the only thing Bob fights these days is boredom and a bulging waistline. Itching for action, the sidelined superhero gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top-secret assignment. Now, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the family must come together and once again find the fantastic in their family life. Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Animation Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min. MPAA Rating:   PG for action violence. Distributor:   Disney/Pixar

3. Internet reviews • http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/review.asp?ID=261 • http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/reviews/the_incredibles.html • http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=136390 • http://www.ultimatedisney.com/incredibles-screening.html

4. The Director • Director Brad Bird joined Pixar from Warners and their loss is Pixar's huge gain. Working with a reported 2,000 computers to create his first CG film, Bird has created a stunningly rendered world that has never been seen before on film. • http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/reviews/the_incredibles.html

5. “Who wants the pressure of being super all the time?” • How are those with powers in the movie being put under pressure? • At first they are lauded and idolized, but are constantly expected to perform • They are treated as celebrities, but their fans are disappointed if they fail to be perfect • Later they are labeled as freaks and people are threatened by their superior abilities • They are forced to try and be just like everyone else • What sort of pressure is put on gifted students and who puts the pressure on them?

6. “It is time for their secret identity to become their only identity. It is time for them to join us, or go away.” Are people with special talents and gifts subjected to these kind of pressures in real life? Are they pressured into either constantly being ‘super’, or never being ‘super’?

7. How are the characters coping with the pressures of being exceptional early in the movie? Mr. Incredible goes from being confident and secure in himself and his abilities to being depressed, irritable and lethargic when he is forced to repress them he feels unable to find an outlet for his abilities, and feels worthless and selfish he is “so obsessed with being undervalued”, that he undervalued his family Elastigirl interestingly, Mrs. Incredible seems to be the most well-adjusted to normality has she been the most successful in finding new powers? Or in using her powers in smaller ways? Or is she repressing herself for the greater good of the family?

8. How are the characters coping with the pressures of being exceptional early in the movie? Violet like her name, Violet is an Indigo child but she has become a ‘shrinking violet’! – she has become withdrawn, anti-social and hostile she literally makes herself invisible to the world and has ostracized herself from family and friends she is desperate to be normal and not have powers or be different Dash wants to test his limits and feel fulfilled he is resentful and impatient at having to curb his talents his behaviour has become troublesome and attention-seeking

9. How are the characters coping with the pressures of being exceptional early in the movie? As a family As a result of repressing their abilities, the family has become unhappy and fractured. Dash is getting away with disruptive behaviour and Violet is withdrawing herself from the family. There is some sibling rivalry between the children who resent each other’s abilities. The parents are conflicted over how to deal with the children’s behaviour and needs, which is putting their marriage under pressure. How understandable are the family’s methods for coping with the pressures of being gifted at this point? Are any of them positive or useful ways of dealing with the problems?

10. How do the members of the family learn different ways to develop and understand their powers over the course of the movie? Mr. Incredible “But if we’re going to make this, you have to be more than Mr. Incredible. You know that” Has he learnt to be more than a super hero? Elastigirl “You will remind him of who you are.” Had Mrs. Incredible forgotten who she was? Has she found herself again?

11. How do the members of the family learn different ways to develop and understand their powers over the course of the movie? Violet “You look different.” “I feel different. Is different okay?” “Different is great.” How has Violet come to terms with being different? Dash “Make it close!” – Dash comes second in the school sports Is second place fulfilling enough or fair for Dash?

12. How do the members of the family learn different ways to develop and understand their powers over the course of the movie? As a family “It wasn’t fair for me to suddenly ask so much of you” – the parents have developed more realistic expectations for their children and each other. The family have worked together – they have created a network of mutual support and understanding in exploring their powers together. How satisfactory are these solutions for coping with the pressures of giftedness? Are any of them useful ways for understanding gifted people or being gifted in real life?

13. BUDDY/SYNDROME “This is because I don’t have powers, isn’t it? Well, not every superhero has powers, you know. You can be super without them.” “Oh, I’m real. Real enough to defeat you. And I did it without your precious gifts – your oh-so-special powers…” Is Buddy simply jealous of those with gifts? Or is part of his resentment the result of his own talents not being recognized? “I’ll be a good mentor – supporting encouraging – everything you weren’t” Mr. Incredible says “I was wrong to treat you that way.” Does he mean it? Was Buddy badly treated? Can we understand his actions in any way?

14. One of the film's funniest throwaway gags involves Syndrome overpowering Bob, who manages to escape while he's giving an evil speech. "You sly old dog, you got me monologuing." The theme of the "monologuing" villain is a running joke, but it's also a playful mocking of a ubiquitous device in both comics and the Bond franchise. http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=136390&page=2

15. EDNA encourages giftedness, is excited about super powers, is supportive in enhancing abilities However, her ways of encouraging are forceful and insistent! How effective or positive are her methods? Importance of mentors for gifted people

16. FROZONE His wife does not really understand his gift or his need to use his talents constantly! Can we understand her point of view? Does she represent how difficult it can be supporting those with ‘super powers’? Importance of true peers for gifted people.

17. The KRONOS PLAN in Greek mythology, Kronos devoured his children for fear one of them would grow up to be more powerful than him, and would overthrow him as ruler of the universe (he was tricked into swallowing a stone instead of the final son, and Zeus did indeed usurp his father’s position) the Kronos machine is out-of-control, learns so fast it becomes dangerous and too powerful, and is destructive to itself and others – “It got smart enough to wonder why it had to take orders.” the Kronos myth and the omnadroid both represent fears about others being too smart or becoming too powerful they mirror the fears of people about the superheroes early on in the film – that those with special gifts will use them for the wrong reasons How understandable is this anxiety? How can it be defeated?

18. “They keep inventing new ways to celebrate mediocrity, but if someone is genuinely exceptional…” How is mediocrity celebrated in education? Is giftedness celebrated?

19. Q: “If everyone’s special, no-one’s special” seems to be a theme - how did you come up with this idea? A: On sports day my kids all get a prize; this devalues achievement and the efforts of the kids who have busted a gut to do well – Brad Bird

20. “You always say ‘do your best’, but you don’t really mean it…” “Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in, and to fit in we just gotta be like everybody else.”

21. “But Dad always said our powers are nothing to be ashamed of – our powers made us special.” “Everyone’s special, Dash.” “Which is another way of saying no-one is.”

22. “I’ll sell my inventions so that everyone can be superheroes – everyone can be super. And when everyone’s super – no-one will be.” Can you see a comparison in this to gifted programs which are so diluted and inclusive as to be little use to highly gifted students?

23. Nature vs. Nurture The Incredibles were born with specific abilities. Syndrome has developed simulations of superhero abilities. Is giftedness the result of nature or nurture or a combination of both? What is your opinion about ‘hot-housing’?

24. Do you feel that you are particularly similar to any of the characters in The Incredibles? If so, Who? And Why?

25. What is the role of the media in the public’s opinion of The Incredibles and the other Super Heroes? How does the media shape popular opinion on giftedness? How can we ensure that giftedness is given positive media coverage?

26. Parents of gifted children sometimes must decide whether to let their children be featured in newspaper articles and television appearances Kathi Kearney gives some guidelines http://www.hollingworth.org/press.html

27. How could you use this film? • Film discussion • Teacher PD • Gifted youth group evening • Class discussion