I drew up one of my favorite scenes from Incredibles II, the one where Jack-Jack Parr fights the raccoon. The scene is brilliant and hilarious while Jack-Jack is both adorable and menacing. It’s a breakout scene for him as a character and we start to really discover (along with Jack-Jack) a slew of his powers.
Breaking it down like this helps me see all the mechanics and minutiae that drive the scene forward. All the tiny details that make it work. The framing. The expressions. Details like how the grill is placed subtly in the background of a shot and then used as a device by the Racoon to put out a flaming and raging Jack-Jack.
The beginning is a very clever way in — Jack-Jack is watching a film of a robber wearing a mask, who distinctly resembles the raccoon stealing food from their garbage can on the back patio. In Jack-Jack’s mind, this says, “bad guy!” And the inner hardwiring of a superhero baby says, “I’m going to go chase that bad guy outta here!” It’s already in his DNA. So the scene ensues as he magically passes through the door wall, steals the raccoon’s chicken leg, tosses it in the garbage can, uses telekineses to put the lid back on and whacks him on the nose, starting an epic rumble. It’s also a bit terrifying because a real raccoon could tear a baby apart. But Jack-Jack is no ordinary baby.
Slowing the film down also helps me notice the expressions on the character’s faces. It gives the sense of how they’re feeling, without saying anything. Often in the shots, there is a transition of expression. Like when the raccoon goes from being in shock from the floating garbage can lid, to anger directed at Jack-Jack for messing with his dinner plans. Or when Jack-Jack’s face goes from a mystified concern with the bad guy on TV to the visceral disdain and look of determination directed at his newfound enemy in the backyard. The shot of his face changing is also tuned perfectly with the score of the film. And it’s so adorable it just tickles your insides.
Points for hilarious and absurdity really score high when Jack-Jack ignites in flames and is throwing lawn chairs — the idea of this is outright hilarious. A baby on fire, throwing lawn chairs…. it’s so insane it’s funny. This is the kind of stuff that makes me wish I was in the Pixar room when they were creating this and laughing alongside. The sequence has an awesome build-up of almost 10 frames, cutting back and forth and is masterfully executed. You feel the doom and panic of the raccoon and really start to feel bad for him as he’s tied up and tangled in the straps of the chair and the glow from the Jack-Jack’s flames grow hotter on his face.
Another detail I enjoyed was the range of expressions on Jack-Jack’s faces when he multiples. A few are determined and looking to tear the Raccoon from ears to tail, while a couple in the back are laughing and just having a riot. It’s a nice touch and adds to the adorable nature and makes our love for Jack-Jack multiply too. He’s just a silly laughing baby, that sometimes goes nuts and turns into a demon. And isn’t that every baby? The best part of Jack-Jack is that it’s really just the truth, amplified with exaggerated and superhuman capabilities. Thank goodness his parents are superheroes otherwise this little thing would be the ultimate danger to his family and himself. Gotta love him!
