The Incredibles opened with a small bizarre short piece of animation called Boundin? about a self-centred sheep who loves to dance and does so with much gusto. That is until he is shorn of his fleece and becomes a bit of a laughing stock. A bounding jackalope (of course) comes bounding along and perks him up. The writing is smart and was obviously funny for some. I?ve read somewhere that the short was used to test some new lighting techniques that will be seen in next year’s Cars. But on to the main show ?

The Incredibles starts with superheroes doing what they do best ? saving the world. However, in a reflection of today?s litigious society, a landslide of lawsuits soon forces the superheroes to go underground. Under the witness protection program the superheroes of yesterday are assigned new Joe Public personas. Fast-forward to 15 years later. Mr Incredible, alter ego Bob Parr, lives an ordinary surburban life with wife Helen, formerly Elastigirl, and their three children Violet, Dash and Jack Jack. We learn that Mr Incredible has found it difficult to give up the glory days and is constantly blowing his cover with his super hero antics. His latest job at an insurance firm is soon history as his frustration at not being able to help those in trouble overtakes him and he puts his boss through the wall ? several in fact. Naturally he is fired. When Mr. Incredible is offered the chance to play the role of hero again by a mysterious communication, he jumps at the opportunity, but when it turns out to be a trap set by an enemy, the whole family must jump in to save the day.

The movie starts off relatively slowly and it is not until the second half of the movie that the action starts in earnest. The writing is funny, intelligent and highly imaginative. As with any successful animation The Incredibles caters for adult and children alike ? plenty of adult themes and social commentary interwoven subtly into the story line. No need to even speak of the animation because you would expect the best coming from Pixar.

Overall it is a very good story and definitely a movie I would recommend. I?m not going to go overboard and say that it?s the best thing since sliced bread as it was a little slow at times, hence my title, but for the majority of the movie it was definitely very entertaining.

As a final comment, the look out for the very amusing E (Edna Mode), Superhero Fashion Designer. Voiced by the director-writer Brad Bird himself this lady is sassy, the epitome of high fashion and fantastic homage to Edith Head, the famous film wardrobe designer. “Ve must do this again soon, dahling. I do so love our visits.” She really lit up the screen.

From a new concept movie (Sky Captain) to a new movie based on an old concept. I?m sure we?ve all seen the first Bridget Jones movie by now and here we have a second installment for those who couldn?t get enough of the first. Its pretty much more of the same. There was plenty of laughter from those in the theatre but it all sounded a little forced to me. Sure I laughed (a little) as well and the soundtrack is rocking but I?m not going to say it is an original script by any stretch of the imagination. Formula: Bridget Jones plus boyfriend, minus this boyfriend after they have a big fight, add the return of the irresistible bad boy and, not surprisingly, this equals Bridget at the start of Bridget Jones? Diary.

I kept myself entertained by all the opportunities taken for product placement. From a Coca-Cola sign in Piccadilly Circus, to the Galaxy chocolate bars Bridget gives out to some ? er ? fellow inmates, to the constant references to Madonna I was surprised at how blatant it was.

Overall, I?d rate the movie as quite average. There are some slight twists but not enough to drag it from the sequel blues. If London needs a clue on how to recycle properly then it needs to talk to the producers of this film who are apparently experts at it.

Total Steps taken: 7.320

I had absolute no idea what this movie was going to be about except that 1. Except for live actors working entirely on a London soundstage in front of a blue screen, the whole movie was filmed with CGI. 2. I totally dislike Gwyneth Patrow and 3. I could only just tolerate Jude Law as the hero (whoever said he would make a good James Bond was surely on drugs at the time!)

What I got was an interestingly shot comic book-style story about the world back in the late 1930s. Famous scientists are going missing around the world and major cities are coming under attack from giant robots. Yes ? it?s the age-old story of a man hell bent on world domination. Or so we assume.

I wish they had chosen some better leads ? Gwyneth was plain annoying, Jude Law didn?t have enough presence and Angelina Jolie ? strange performance from her. I know I?m being picky but she just smiled at the most inappropriate moments. I?ve definitely seen her act better. Giovanni Ribisi, in his all too brief appearances as the geek with the cool toys and the smarts to save the world, was the most pleasant actor to watch.

Since I wasn?t expecting too much I can honestly say I wasn?t disappointed. Don?t expect too much of a story (definitely a case of style over substance) and you?ll come out feeling the same way. The movie is unlike anything I have seen before and just for that I have to give it kudos. Go if you want to see something which will let you lose yourself in its rich imagery without the need to employ too much of the grey matter.