During the past few years, movie theaters have seen a surge of comic book films on the screens, from 2000’s “X-Men” to the recent “Hellboy.” Like any other genre, a good comic book movie needs the right balance of elements to make it unique.

“The Incredibles” has a little of everything — action, humor, drama and suspense. They’re blended together so well that whatever little problems there are with the film, they can easily be dismissed. It’s one of the best films you’ll see this year.

The plot is cute and simple. Once considered to be gods among men, the superheroes in “The Incredibles” were due for a wake-up call. When he’s out one night saving lives, Mr. Incredible, voiced by Craig T. Nelson, finds himself in a new place — the courtroom. Apparently, saving a man’s life is priceless, but if he injures the man’s neck in the process, it will cost thousands.

The government decides the floodgate of lawsuits piling up against superheroes isn’t worth the cost. They decide to relocate and hide former heroes among normal people in the suburbs.

This is where Mr. Incredible — aka Bob Parr — finds himself. Now left with limitless powers in a very limited position, Parr has to endure long days in a small cubicle. Naturally, the split second an opportunity to use his powers arises, Parr jets off to an exotic island in his old costume.

From there, the story folds out in a fashion that stays faithful to its origins. The evil villain emerges and Parr’s family joins the fight, with wife Elastigirl, voiced by Holly Hunter, and superhero children Dash and Violet.

Everything in this film is top-notch — the animation is superb, and the dialogue and character development are better than you see in most live-action films. Pixar Studios, which also created “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo,” deliver their sixth film with the same level of excitement and solid storytelling the studio is seemingly required to deliver.

Graphically, the studio has pretty much cornered the market when it comes to premier computer animation. Its simple-yet-intricately designed worlds have improved with every passing film. With its first foray into the human world, Pixar scores yet again by creating human characters who retain a slight cartoonish look but never become gross caricatures.

To maintain those human characteristics, the director relied on great voice talent. Nelson, most famous for his long-running show “Coach,” plays Mr. Incredible perfectly. He has a booming, boisterous voice that’s apt for a hero. After years stuck in the suburbs, his tone has become a hollow shell of the once proud man.

Other voices, including Hunter as his wife and Jason Lee as the villain Syndrome, bring their characters to life. Lee, in particular, has a distinct, almost sneaky voice that helps create a bitter and vengeful archenemy. You don’t agree with his methods, but you understand where Syndrome is coming from.

But “The Incredibles” is not only a comic book film — the director blends the action with a sublime satire of suburban life. The husband and wife argue over using their powers, structured exactly like so many parental yelling contests. At other times, the parents bicker over which highway exit to take on their way to stopping a giant robot.

So it isn’t too surprising that the film takes a mature theme and doesn’t “dumb down” the story for the kids. In this world, the bad guys have guns and will shoot you. Even the children are put into hazardous situations, where they are beaten and threatened within inches of their lives.

Yet this level of seriousness in the action doesn’t detract from the family-friendly story. Characters stay upbeat and humorous, but realize when danger is around the corner and act accordingly.

With the year almost ending, theaters will see an onslaught of great films fill the screens. There’s no better starting point for this season than “The Incredibles.” It will excite and amaze you like so few films can accomplish.