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The Fantastic Four
Directed by: Tim Story
Starring: Chris Evans
Genre:
Science Fiction
Run Time: 106
min.
Release Date:
July 2005
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
There are serious SF films
then there are entertaining SF films and, as of late, the film industry
has seen fit to adapt several comic book SF characters onto the silver
screen. Whether or not these are serious or entertaining is often left
up to the viewer's discretion. Some have been great (SPIDERMAN)
and some not-so-great (CATWOMAN). Then we have this movie, THE
FANTASTIC FOUR.
Debuting in 1961 (Marvel Comics), The Fantastic Four hit on new
ground: a dysfunctional family of sorts who fight amongst themselves as
much as they do against the forces of evil. Unable to decide on
costumes, they really had none for several episodes. All of them gained
their superpowers from exposure to cosmic rays while visiting a
space-station.
Jump to 2005 and we get the entire dysfunctional dynamic rolled into a
105 minute film; not an easy task. But director Tim Story does an
admirable job with writers Mark Frost and Michael France's screenplay.
The space-station, the problems with costumes, the infighting, it's all
there (thus my positive rating).
The beautiful Jessica Alba stars as the sexy, kick-ass Sue Storm/The
Invisible Woman. Her powers include the ability to manipulate matter and
light. Chris Evans (whom I'd personally give top billing) brings to life
the role of Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, Sue's immature younger brother
who can spark up any room with his powers and his wit. And Mr. Evans
instills some much needed comedy into the flick by playing pranks on the
other three as well as having some great dialogue. Ioan Gruffudd bends
the silver screen as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, the flexible rubberman
who is the defacto leader of The Fantastic Four (and who's also
in love with Sue Storm). Then we have Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) who's
increased mass and stone-like structure have given him incredible
strength …and some problems at home. He's ineffectually called The Thing
and his wife leaves him posthaste when she discovers his altered
physical structure.
The great thing about the film is that it really looks at the issues
surrounding being a newly developed superhero and how people might
respond to such a thing. For one thing, when Ben Grimm's wife leaves
him, she pulls off her wedding ring and Ben/The Thing tries to pick it
up but can't because of his bulky hands. It's actually a fairly touching
scene and we can feel Ben's frustration. Also there's the lost love
between Sue Storm and Reed Richards which is always in the background
and causes flare-ups and fights constantly. Then there's Johnny Storm's
discovery of his flaming superpowers and his difficulty in controlling
them (or lack of wanting to control them). He's a cocky upstart who
brings an entirely new dynamic to the group …which is why I'd give him
top billing.
The film's faults are easily seen as we're rushed through certain
aspects (how they plan to get back to normal using a machine created by
Richard) and several convenient plot twists (not uncommon, though, for
comic books).
This is a fun film. It's not at the level of Spiderman, but it's
way, way above Catwoman.
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Image from The Fantastic
Four
DVD cost: $24.99
Purchase:
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Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Although Stan Lee has made
cameos in many Marvel movies, this is the first time he has played a
character from the comics: Willy Lumpkin, the Fantastic Four's kindly
old mailman.
Movie Quote: "You
know that looked cool."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Fantastic Four
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