INCREDIBLES 2 (Rated PG)

One must reach into the memory bank, as well as bring along a new whole generation of younger viewers, to appreciate the fresh appeal that still resides with Pixar’s gift to creative animation in the original “The Incredibles.”

Fourteen years have passed since writer-director Brad Bird delivered an animated film that was energetic and ingenious, with plenty of heart and good humor, and one must assume that he took great care and meticulous devotion to produce a worthy sequel with “Incredibles 2.”

Most of the primary voice actors have returned with Craig T. Nelson as the patriarch of the Incredible family, Bob or his alter-ego Mr. Incredible, and Holly Hunter as his wife, Helen aka Elastigirl, and Sarah Vowell as teen daughter Violet.

The modern world has banished all superheroes into retirement due to the collateral damage that often followed their heroics. The Incredibles chafe at these limits, feeling discarded from society, until a new villain, the Underminer (John Ratzenberger), surfaces.

Though Mr. Incredible, with the physique of a competitor for Mr. Universe, wants to be the center of attention in the superhero world, the sequel belongs to his spouse, Elastigirl, who is called upon to use her powers as she has a less destructive method.

The superheroes, referred to as Supers, have fallen into disfavor with the public. Tech wizard Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) seek to restore the public image of the Supers and enlist the help of Elastigirl to serve as the ambassador.

The Incredible family and all other superheroes have been declared illegal and are eager to get back into action. Meanwhile, the Incredibles are living like fugitives in the low-rent Safari Court motel until Elastigirl proves their worth to society.

After dispatching the Underminer’s destructive plan to level Municiberg with a giant boring machine contraption, Elastigirl heroically uses her flexible powers to stop an insidious plot to derail a brand new high-speed monorail train filled with dignitaries.

The evil force behind a plot to cause panic and turn Municiberg into a dystopian urban wasteland is Screenslaver (Bill Wise), a high-tech super-villain who manages to hypnotize his victims to bend to his will, acting as pawns to thwart Elastigirl’s mission.

For now, the Incredible family goes about new routines while Elastigirl is engaged once again as a Super. Mr. Incredible becomes Mr. Mom, struggling to keep up with baby Jack-Jack who is showing signs of unbelievable superpowers usually manifested during tantrums.

Jack-Jack has abnormal powers for a toddler, including becoming a demon baby with the ability to burst into flames, turn invisible, break through walls and windows, and levitate. Best of all, his power includes shooting burning lasers from his eyes.

Violet, mastering the power of invisibility and creating force fields, is an introverted and bright 14-year-old who is socially awkward but sarcastic and has a crush on classmate Tony (Michael Bird) that is complicated by his inability to remember who she is.

The Incredible middle-son is Dash (Huck Milner), a mischievous sort modeled it would seem on Bart Simpson, who desperately wants to be part of the action. He has the remarkable power of super speed and is dismayed that he has to keep his ability a secret.

Screenslaver turns out to be an exceptional villain in his use of computer screens and special goggles, once affixed to a person’s face, that transform his victims into hypnotized pawns for his evil plans.

An old friend of the Incredibles is a fellow Super named Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), who falls prey like all the others to Screenslaver’s master plan after being turned into his unwitting accomplice.

An epic battle takes place on a cruise ship where officials from around the world are gathered to formalize a treaty that would restore the Supers as guardians of the public order. Screenslaver will have none of that.

The climactic confrontation brings the entire Incredible family into a serious showdown on the ship, where they are called upon to save the day once again. Even the precocious Jack-Jack gets to use his powers along with his siblings.

As with most sequels, “Incredibles 2” creates a sense of déjà vu of what transpired the first time, mainly because it picks up where “The Incredibles” left off. The riveting action, including a daring helicopter rescue, makes for a good time for family entertainment.

Whatever might be said about this sequel, “Incredibles 2” is likely to be one of the summer’s big hits and for good reason.
Chinese Animated Short “Bao”

Viewers of “Incredibles 2” should be treated to the offbeat Chinese short animated film “Bao.” An aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as lively dumpling boy.

The dumpling grows up fast and becomes a teenager with the typical desires. It’s a weird short that a friend thought was the mother’s hallucination. That may be the best explanation for what unfolds, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.