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RENAISSANCE MAN
By Antony Teofilo
November 1, 2004
Incredib-Lee Good
Jason Lee joins the ranks of the super villain
For fans of the superhero genre, there is hope on the horizon.
THE INCREDIBLES, with their potent mix down to earth family concerns and other-worldly superpowers may just breathe life back into the superhero genre almost killed off by the limp likes of THE PUNISHER and THE HULK.
Writer/director Brad Bird [THE IRON GIANT] wanted to bring heart back to the superhero genre. As a father of a growing family and a frustrated artist, he wondered to himself what it must be like for a superhero who had a family to provide for, but who could not use his superpowers. He took the idea to Pixar’s animation studios, and found a stable of ultra-capable artists who could bring his unique vision to light.
Over a period of about a year, the team developed brand new technologies meant to deal with some of the challenges Bird was unknowingly making for the Pixar team while simultaneously producing the film. Bird discovered that it’s very difficult to create a believable human character in 3D (for evidence of this, take a look at the baby in Pixar’s early short film TIN TOY). The creation of bone and muscle structures, problems with making skin that’s pliable and shaded realistically, motion problems…the list goes on and on.
Looking at the movie’s broad range of textures, fabrics, and characters (to be really amazed, have a look at what they do with human hair that‘s gotten wet) one would never guess the Herculean efforts that Pixar had to put into the visual elements of this story because of how seamlessly the parts and pieces that make up the world of THE INCREDIBLES fit together. As Bird says, “I would say if [we got] it right, it should feel like a lot of things, and none of them. It's action movies, and comedies, and spy movies, and adventure movies, stewed into a big pot with a lot of personal family stuff."
Ready For Action: - The Incredibles, (from left to right Dash, Violet, Mr. Incredible, and Elastigirl) poised to smash and bash the bad guys on Nominisan, Syndrome’s island hideaway. Like many aspects of Bird’s story, the island changed its form as production continued. Originally conceived as an island with redwood forests and blizzards and rainforests that would serve as various environments for Syndrome to challenge the abilities of various superheroes, the island became a dormant volcano.
Indeed, the focus of the film is Mr. Incredible and his family of superheroes (including wife Elastigirl, invisible daughter Violet, and super-fast son Dash) who have been forced to move to the suburbs in a government witness protection program designed to help heroes fit in to normal society when they are outlawed. Little do they know, a dastardly plan is in motion that is meant to destroy them all, and in this regard, ViewAskew fans are in for a treat. Jason Lee fills out the fiery fro of ultimate baddie Syndrome.
Good At Being Bad: Jason Lee voices Syndrome, the villain of the piece. While not blessed with natural superpowers, Syndrome is a mad-scientist type who’s come up with a way to nullify all superpowers, forcing THE INCREDIBLES to outthink, not muscle or outfly, the bad guys.
The idea for Lee's character came out of director Brad Bird wondering about what might have happened had Batman told Robin to hit the road instead of allowing young Dick Grayson to become his sidekick. This makes for an original premise for a hero movie: a villain who isn't only out to take over the world. Syndrome's got some real emotional bones to pick with Mr. Incredible. Says Lee, “It was fun to play a really mean guy who wanted to be something more.” Originally, Syndrome was a supporting character who was killed off early in the story. It was a dour Bond type villain mastermind called Xerek who came after the Incredibles, but Pixar bigwig John Lassiter stuck up for Syndrome and challenged Bird to write him into the story instead of Xerek.
Lee's performance, like that of Mr. Incredible Craig T. Nelson (COACH), gives nuance to what otherwise could have been just another explosion laden epic with no backbone. It’s difficult at first to recognize Lee's voice. Says Bird, "I've enjoyed Jason's work in some great independent films and he has a very quirky sensibility. He put his all into creating this unique voice for a villain. You can hear the kid in it, but he's definitely not a kid."
Lee was given a great deal of flexibility in what he decided to bring to Syndrome’s creation. “This was an amazing experience for an actor, especially to be a part of Pixar, which is one of the most unique and creative studios I’ve ever seen. It’s full of youthfulness and spontaneity and imagination. They are interested in creating true classics, and going way beyond the expected.”
Lee, himself a true fan of the superhero genre, gives the flick his ultimate mark of approval: “I look forward to the day when my kid is old enough, and I can say, ‘Let’s watch THE INCREDIBLES. I was in that movie.’”
With its unique and epic design, its depth of character, and its captivating storyline, THE INCREDIBLES is a true treat, and the perfect way to start off the holiday film season.
THE INCREDIBLES zap their way into theaters on November 5th, 2004.
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