14 years after the first Incredibles movie came out, we finally have an Incredibles 2! But you’re going to want to go back and re-watch the original before your trip to the movie theater. Perhaps your kids have never even seen the original! This week for family movie night, watch The Incredibles and then use these discussion questions and writing prompts to turn the movie into a learning and bonding experience. As always, check out some family-minded reviews before watching with your kids. Here’s a good one to start with.
Synopsis
            After some negative publicity, all superheroes are forced into hiding by the government. Mr. Incredible, his wife Elastigirl, and their three children live relatively normal lives, but it is difficult for them to conceal their powers. When a new supervillain appears, threatening his family and his city, Mr. Incredibly and his family must put on their supersuits once again to fight evil. But absolutely no capes!
           
Discussion Questions
Use these discussion questions to prompt a discussion with your family:

1. In the car on the way home from school, Mrs. Incredible says “Everyone is special, Dash.” To which Dash responds: “Which is another way of saying no one is.” How can anyone truly be special if everyone is?
2. At the beginning of the movie, Mr. Incredible gets sued for saving a man’s life who didn’t want to be saved. Do you think it is your duty to help whenever you have the ability to, whether you have been asked to or not?
3. Why do you think it is so hard for Mr. Incredible to refrain from using his powers? How does this affect his family?
4. His relationship with his family seems to get better when he begins to secretly work as a superhero again. Do you think this change is worth lying to his family for? How does this deceit ultimately affect their relationship?
5. Syndrome grows up to be evil after Mr. Incredible dismisses him as a kid. Do you think Mr. Incredible can be blamed for how Syndrome turned out?
6. Mrs. Incredible tells her kids “your identity is your most valuable possession.” What do you think she means by this? Do you think this only applies to superheroes?
7. Mirage tells Syndrome, “Valuing life is not weak… and disregarding it is not strength.” Do you agree with this statement? Do you think your opinion on this matter is important in the way you live your life?
8. Violet knows that her parents’ marriage is at stake just as much as their lives. How does she know this?
9. How did working together as a family and embracing their abilities help strengthen their relationships in the end?
10. In the end, Violet gets to talk to the boy she likes. Do you think this is because she is wearing pink instead of black or has her hair back? Or do you think these changes simply signify a deeper change in Violet?

Writing Prompts
Choose one or two of these writing prompts to get your creativity flowing:

1. Write a fictional piece about a superhero. Try to be creative and choose a type of superhero that hasn’t been written about. Maybe he/she has a unique superpower or personality trait. Maybe he/she is in a different time of life than most superhero stories portray superheroes (like The Incredibles portrays Mr. Incredible after he retires).
2. Write an essay that compares the Incredibles family to your own. They have super powers, but they are a remarkably normal family. How are they similar to your family? How are they different?
3. Superheroes often leave a path of destruction in their wake. Do you think superheroes should be allowed to use their powers to save people? Or do you think they do more damage than good? Write an argumentative essay defending your opinion.
4. Who is your hero? Write a paragraph or two about what makes them a hero. How do they inspire you to be better?
5. Write an essay that explains how you think that the Incredibles’ superpowers reflect their personalities.