I spent last week in Los Angeles for Disney Pixar’s Incredibles 2 Press Junket, where we screened the newest film and interviewed most of the cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and Craig T. Nelson. But today I’m going to tell you WHY I think Incredibles 2 is more INCREDIBLE than the first one.

Today, Incredibles 2 is finally in theaters after 14 years. FOURTEEN. That’s a long time to wait for a follow-up movie, but the long-anticipated reunion of the Parr family is most definitely worth the time it took to get them back on screen.

Dare I say it? I think Incredibles 2 is better than the original Incredibles.

Yes. I really do. It’s not just because animation technology is WAY better now than it was a decade ago. And it’s not because I have seen Incredibles a gazillion times because it was my two older kids favorite movie on repeat for over 2 years.

No. I think the story line is fantastic. I thought there were more laughs and tender, sweet moments (is that even possible after the supersuit line???). And the action scenes were done so well, that I was on the edge of my seat. And y’all – an animated movie NEVER has had me on the edge of my seat as much as this one did.

What About the Role Reversal in Incredibles 2?

Everyone is focused on the storyline in Incredibles 2. Helen Parr – AKA Elastigirl – is tasked with creating a better image for the ‘Supers’ of the world. She is asked to do this alone, without Mr. Incredible, leaving him at home to take care of the kids. Bob Parr – Mr. Incredible – has a hard time with this – he wants to be the hero and not be at home chasing after Baby Jack Jack. But some of the best scenes are the ones where Bob struggles to take care of the household, and then begans to come into his own as a Dad. It’s very touching and one that needs to be seen by kids.

In our home, I was the one who worked outside of the home in a big corporate position for many years when the kids were younger. And while my husband wasn’t at home full-time, he did manage the household more than me. And he had no problem with it. I think this is more the norm in our generation. I wouldn’t call this a role-reversal at all. Just the way we “did things” in our family.

That being said, I love that the storyline focuses on Mom working outside the home while Dad minds the kids. I wouldn’t call this a role reversal at all – just the way the Parr Family did things.

As Holly Hunter put it so well in my interview with her:

“It’s a great thing for kids to see this movie, not just little girls but boys, too. It’s great for everybody to see what men and women are capable of, that men are capable of being fantastic, nurturing parents.”

Incredibles 2 is the Perfect Father’s Day Movie

If you want to see a movie that celebrates all things that DADs can do – this is the one. After I had screened it, I immediately thought about how I couldn’t wait to see this with my husband. I think it’s the perfect Father’s Day movie – the timing couldn’t have been better to release it this weekend.

What About the Pixar Short, Bao?

Ironically, Bao, the Pixar Short in front of Incredibles 2 is about parents as well – more specifically, a mom and her relationship with her child. Then again, maybe that’s not ironic at all. I really LOVED this short more than any other Pixar Short before it. It’s incredibly endearing and I really can’t wait to see it again. I can’t tell you much more than that without giving it away. But I would encourage you to read my interview with the Creator & Director, Domee Shi. As a parent, it was very enlightening to hear how she came up with the story.

Disney Pixar’s Incredibles 2 is in theaters June 15, 2018

This movie was, for lack of a better word, INCREDIBLE – full of laughs, tender family moments, and edge-of-your seat fun. It is truly a great movie for the whole family to see and perfect for Father’s Day. Make sure you grab your tickets to see it today!