'The Incredibles 2' Is 'Not A Kids' Movie', Says Director

The Incredibles is a classic kids' movie, one the best of the last 20 years.

Note: a classic kids' movie. A movie for children. Or at least, a movie with children as the primary audience, and any enjoyment (which, admittedly, was plenty) derived by adults as a happy bonus.

It would stand to reason, then, that the sequel to The Incredibles would also be aimed at younger viewers - but, according to director Brad Bird, that wasn't the case at all.

Bird got into something of a Twitter spat recently about the issue, telling a fan who had seen the film that his movie wasn't specifically for kids.

"Loved Incredibles 2 but seriously, @BradBirdA113 why the cuss words?" wrote a Twitter user called Jamie, who took objection to the isolated uses of strong language that resulted in the film garnering a PG certificate rather than a U.

They continued: "I probably won't buy it now. That was the only disappointing thing in the movie. I just don't think its appropriate and I shouldn't have to filter a kids movie."

Bird quoted the tweet and replied: "With all due respect, it is NOT a 'kids movie'. It is animated, and rated PG."

Another fan chimed in, stating: "I didn't notice cursing, but I was disappointed the movie wasn't great for kids. So much talking, expositing. My 4-year daughter barely made it through the boredom, after having loved the first one just a week earlier."

Bird wasn't having any of that either, taking the fan to task about what he saw as slightly unrealistic expectations for a toddler watching a film in the cinema.

"She's FOUR," he wrote. "Presumably, she watched the first one at home, where she could run around, do other things, etc.

"Are you really asking me to write to suit your 4 year old's (age appropriate) attention span? Do you judge 2&1/2 hour Marvel or Lucasfilm movies the same way?"

The debate online was at risk of spiralling out of control, so Bird added a third tweet that explained just why he had chosen to intervene on behalf of his movie.

"Everybody calm down," wrote the director. "All discussions polarise so quickly in social media (what I like least about it)."

He continued by explaining that the Twitter user who began the exchange 'doesn't want his kids to cuss and was respectful about saying so', adding: "I respectfully took issue with the idea that animation is a kids medium. No one is bad here!"

You can judge for yourself when the film hits UK cinemas on 13 July.