The Incredibles is actually a deeply nuanced examination of the masculinity crisis in contemporary western societies.

As strong men age, they find a society that forces them to succumb to the whims of weak men.

There is no place to truly live, just to exist, because unconstrained energy is too dangerous to the status quo.

It’s very effective messaging.

Bob and Luscious lie to their wives to sneak out and listen to the police scanner to find crimes to bust, to “relive the glory days,” to feel alive.

The parallels with virility are so obvious.

A return to hero work gets Bob’s mojo back. He works out. His wife is attracted to him again. So are other women.

Bob basically did what liftbro Chads advocate.

There are two turning points for Bob:

1. When he throws his boss through the wall, and
2. When he lies to Helen about it.

He is ready for a change, but not ready to be a man again. He’s still afraid of his wife.

This movie is so freaking good, by the way.

The second one is as well, but in a different and I would argue in a slightly less-powerful way.

I love the dynamics when Helen encounters Bob and Mirage:

- Helen thinks he’s cheating
- Bob immediately kisses her
- She scolds him for the kids being in danger
- He’s like “You brought the kids?”
- She continues to scold him.
- He says “I’m just glad you’re alive.”

And they do SUCH a good job of NOT making Helen an unlikeable shrew. She’s:

- A good mother
- Honestly concerned about their family
- Actually loves and cares for Bob
- Has legitimate reasons to be angry with him (he lied to her multiple times!)

I know it’s an old movie, but I saw it recently for the first time since it came out and it’s so good.

They could still “make ‘em like they used to” as recently as 2004.

/end