Bob Parr (Nelson) is the secret identity of Mr Incredible, one of many superheroes who save those in need. But lawsuits force the heroes underground, and 15 years later Bob and his fellow ex-hero wife Helen (Hunter) are living a "normal" suburban life with their three kids. Bob longs for the good old days and hangs out with his pal Lucius (Jackson), formerly Frozone, listening to the police scanner and helping people when they can. But it seems like a nefarious force might be at work.

Writer-director Bird knows that the most important elements are story and characters, and he never lets either get lost in the astonishing visual whizzery. The animation is spectacular--both characters and settings are created with wit and flair, echoing the sharp spirit of the script with a kind of retro-modern style. The attention to detail is brilliant. And when things get moving it's breathtaking; action sequences are thrilling, propelling the story and telling us about the characters, all of whom are expertly voiced.

These are extraordinary, well-defined people, and the vocal cast resist putting their own personalities into the roles--they're playing memorable characters here, not doing self-referential shtick. Even the kids have astute, sassy qualities that continually defy cliches. And there are lovely touches everywhere, most memorably in the hilarious Edna, an Edith Head-inspired seamstress voiced by Bird himself.

In his refusal to rely on hip cultural references, Bird creates a film that will easily stand the test of time. The only nods are to other classic genres--superheroes, alien invasions, James Bond--and there's not a pop single on the soundtrack! He also continually subverts the conventions of modern animated features, refusing to employ a rollercoaster structure and instead balancing the adrenaline-rush action with moments of genuine drama and sharp comedy that might leave small kids fidgeting in their seats. But that's unlikely with a story and characters this strong. Fantastic.