Fantastic Four review

Fantastic Four

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created Fantastic Four. The whole point of the Fantastic Four comic book was to have a group of superheroes that had lighter side to them. The tone of the comic books were written with that in mind, and there were many on-liners between the characters. The comic book also was different, because these superheroes didn’t hide their identities. The public actually knew them by name.

The movie for the most part follows the tone set by the comic book. In the opening of the film, we see Reed Richards and Ben Grimm trying to convince Victor Von Doom to go out into space to study a strange energy wave. Doom is a powerful and rich scientist that owns his own space station. The movie starts out pretty dull with a few good one-liners here and there from Michael Chiklis. The movie begins to work when the energy wave changes their DNA. I actually like when they react to the changes in various ways. Some are funny.

Chiklis has the biggest change, because now he’s completely made of rock. Of course Chiklis character has a hard time with the change, and actually breaks out of the lab and tries to see his wife. This is an extremely touching moment in the film when he realizes that his normal life is forever gone. The Thing is probably the best character in the movie. Chiklis plays this character well, probably because he used to be a huge fan of the comic book when he was child.

The other stand out character is Johnny Storm played by Chris Evans. Evans actually is able to play the character like a movie star. He loves the fact that he has super powers and enjoys all the media attention on him. Evans plays him like a smarter version of Tom Cruise. He also uses his super fame to catch women. Unlike the brooding The Thing, The Human Torch loves it! Somehow, Evans is able to pull off this media hog without making him a jerk. He is a hero that likes to live a hero lifestyle.

Of course, The Thing and The Human Torch don’t really get along. They actually clash well before they even get their superpowers. It’s only enhanced when they get them though.

The weakest characters of the movie are played by Julian McMahon, Jessica Alba, and Ioan Gruffudd. Julian McMahon is great in Nip/Tuck, but his villain character isn’t very strong and not focused on too much in this movie. Jessica Alba is hot, but doesn’t fit into the character of Sue Storm. I found myself focused on her bright smile and cute face. Her teeth are so white in this movie. The score by John Ottman really doesn’t stand out like say, X2. The ending could have been better too. But, overall the movie is fun, but not great. I think you’ll enjoy if for its lightness.

Grade B-