"The Incredibles" is a superhero adventure-comedy that is so cool that it positively oozes coolness. In fact, with its bold, brassy theme song and musical score, it even sounds cool.
The music comes courtesy of self-described "animation geek" Michael Giacchino, who has written scores for the television series "Alias" and "Lost," as well as for the "Medal of Honor" and "Call of Duty" video games.
"I love classic animation," the 37-year-old composer said by phone from Los Angeles, "and I especially love classic cartoon music. The 'Jonny Quest' theme had a huge influence on me while I was growing up.
"I mean, who didn't want to become an adventurer after hearing that amazing theme song? In a lot of ways it was even more effective than the show itself."
"Jonny Quest's" pulse-pounding music clearly influenced Giacchino's work on "The Incredibles," or, as he put it, "I wanted to pay tribute to that, as well as the scores for all those great 1960s spy films, like the James Bond adventures."
Still, he was a little leery, since the "Austin Powers" movies had already spoofed everything about the spy adventures — including the music. "That was what I was trying to avoid, that campiness. I mean, our film definitely has a lot of humor. But it's also meant to be taken a little more seriously. It's more affectionate, rather than mocking."
"The Incredibles" follows Bob Parr, or Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson), a superhero who comes out of retirement, but then needs to be rescued by his super-powered spouse (Holly Hunter) and children (Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell). Giacchino wanted to be involved with it as soon as he heard about it. "I remember reading about the project in the trades and thinking to myself, 'A cartoon about a retired superhero? What a great idea.' Then I started what I would have to do to get involved with it."
As it turns out, his resume was all it took. "There were a few people working over at Disney and Pixar whom I'd worked with before. And they were all fans of my video-game work," Giacchino said.
However, he still had to convince screenwriter-director Brad Bird that he was the man for the job. "I just told him that I was a fan of the classics, and that I wanted to do something that would honor them. He just kept nodding, so I thought, 'Either he's just humoring me or I'm on the right track here.' "
Fortunately — for Giacchino and the film — it was the latter. "This really is the thing I'm most proud to have been involved with. Heck, this is a movie I'd have gone to see, a movie I would have enjoyed immensely even if I hadn't worked on it."
Giacchino also counts himself lucky to have worked with Bird, a man he calls "a true genius." "Just look at Brad's credits. I mean, here's a guy who has been involved with 'The Simpsons,' which is pretty much the best animated series of all time. And he also directed 'The Iron Giant,' a film that's finally getting its recognition as an all-time classic."
He has similar praise for J.J. Abrams, the executive producer of both "Alias" and "Lost." "I don't know how I got so lucky to work with these two guys. They're both incredibly creative, and they both bring out the best in the people who works on their projects. I know they've made me a better composer."
In addition to Giacchino's "Incredibles" score, he says he's proud of his work on "Lost," which has been one of few hits of the new television season. "It's been very different, but I love a challenge. There isn't really a main theme for the show, which made me wonder why J.J. even wanted me on board. But on that show I'm using music to set the mood and heighten the tension and suspense when it's needed."
That plays into Giacchino's belief that music should be used sparingly. "Look, I'm not trying to knock my fellow composers, but there are a few out there who believe their score should be heard in every scene, in every minute of the particular program or film. I, on the other hand, believe that the composer's duty is to the film, to make it better.
"Sometimes that means we just have to shut up. Silence really can be golden."
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com