“The Incredibles,” the 2004 animated Pixar movie, holds a special place in the hearts of many of today’s teenagers and young adults. As a result, Pixar had a risky task ahead of it in the creation of a sequel. It’s widely recognized that sequels to beloved movies are rarely well-received, but “Incredibles 2” might be one of the few exceptions to this rule. This movie lives up to, and in some cases exceeds, the quality of its iconic predecessor.

“Incredibles 2” follows the lives of the Parr family, all of whom have their own set of superpowers. It picks up right where the original film left off, with the family fighting a villain known as the Underminer in their suburban hometown. The plot develops as the parents of the family, Helen and Bob (alternately known as Elastigirl and Mr. Incredible, respectively), disagree about whether or not they should continue their work as superheroes while it is still illegal for them to do so. Helen is recruited by a rich entrepreneur and superhero fan known as Winston Deavor to cleanly and effectively fight crime as he hopes to pass legislation with the hopes to improve heroes’ rights. As Helen tries to catch the villain named the Screenslaver, Bob is left at home with their kids. Violet, a teenager, who struggles with boy trouble, Dash, who needs help with math and Jack-Jack, the baby, who seems to have a vast variety of powers which are wreaking havoc on their home. The action film toggles effectively between the adventures of Elastigirl and the domestic trouble at the Parr home.

Expectations for this movie were blown out of the water. The back-and-forth between Helen and Bob Parr’s respective experiences are seamless, and at no point do either of the storylines feel slow or boring. Helen’s action sequences are riveting, as her ability to stretch her body like elastic is used in every possible way during her adventures fighting crime. The movie’s main villain, the Screenslaver, controls civilians’ minds through screens, which is a particularly creepy phenomenon during today’s technology-filled age. Viewers will feel more invested in the fight between good and evil in this movie than in the original, as the villain directly threatened more of the general public than Syndrome did in “The Incredibles.” Bob’s struggles at home to balance the care of their three kids is humorous and heartwarming, and are relatable to both parents and children in the audience. Overall the family dynamic was incredibly realistic, as Helen and Bob struggle to properly attend to the needs of their kids. This movie ties up all of the loose ends left at the end of its predecessor, and does so wonderfully.

This sequel is recommended to every longtime fan of “The Incredibles” and also to those who haven’t watched the original before. However, it is recommended any newcomers to this franchise watch the first movie before seeing the sequel, as it provides helpful context as to the overall setting and atmosphere. Audience members young and old will be able to relate to the characters in “Incredibles 2” and enjoy the exciting action sequences and plot.