Sympathy for SyndromeI enjoyed The Incredibles but I think one of its themes, "If everyone is special, then nobody is," sends a muddled moral message.The phrase is first used in reference to Dash's desire to go out for sports. It's wrong, the movie appears to say, for the super-speedy Dash to hide his light under a bushel. Rather, Dash should celebrate his specialness by entering track meets. Umm. Exactly what is the point of Dash collecting trophies by competing against non-superpowered individuals, while actually running far below his real limits in order to avoid suspicion? Should he continue to add to the trophy case by running against younger kids as well? Disabled kids maybe? Then the villainous Syndrome threatens that when he's ready to retire, he will sell his super-technology to the masses, so that anyone can have superpowers and superheroes will no longer be special. Umm again. Cut the ominous music for a second. This is a bad thing? Supposing it were possible for say, Orville and Wilbur Wright to keep the secret of the airplane to themselves, and just use it on a personal level to fight crime as the Amazing Flying Duo, does anyone really think that would have been desirable? For anyone? |