'Fantastic Four' (PG-13)
(out of four)
With DC Comics legend Batman still flapping his wings to box office glory, there's no question that there's pressure for the latest big screen Marvel comic book adaptation, "Fantastic Four," to deliver as well.
And in the end, while it's a decidedly different movie in tone, "Fantastic Four" does just that. In fact, it's perfect summer popcorn fare -- filled with fast action, groundbreaking visuals and makeup effects, snappy dialogue and memorable characters realized by a talented cast.
True, it doesn't have deep character development that enriched "Batman Begins," the angst of the hero in the "Spider-Man" movies or the serious themes like the climate of bigotry and hate in the "X-Men" films.
Perhaps the most important thing about the movie, though, is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. To have done so would have made it silly. It is what it is -- a light, cheery and fun movie thrill ride -- and doesn't pretend to be anything more than that. And, unlike several comic book adaptations of late, it's a family-friendly one at that. In fact, it may be the most family-friendly comic book adaptation yet.
While "Batman Begins" takes an ample amount of time setting up the origins the character, "Fantastic Four" gets it done within the first 15 minutes. It begins with Dr. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), accompanied by his best buddy and shuttle pilot, Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), approaching his college rival, Dr. Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) for some cash to fund a very important project.
Richards' mission is to travel to outer space to study a cosmic storm, which in theory he believes will provide him with the answers to unlock genetic codes to find cures for deadly diseases to benefit all of mankind.
The problem is, not only does Richards need Von Doom's money, he needs the billionaire industrialist's space shuttle. With his bottom-line mentality, Von Doom sees the potential for huge financial gain from the project, so he agrees if Reed's willing to fork over most of the profits.
Making matters worse, Von Doom has enlisted his director of genetic research and Richard's ex-love, Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) to help on the mission, and Sue's hotshot brother Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), who displaces Ben as the shuttle's pilot.
With the set-up complete, "Fantastic Four" dives headlong into a spectacular visual effects sequence, as the cosmic storm hits the shuttle early -- and hard. Unbeknownst the crew, it's fundamentally altered their DNA structures, resulting in superhuman abilities.
'Fantastic Four' Special Coverage Including Interviews With Michael Chiklis And Chris Evans, Comic Book Creator Stan Lee, A Slideshow, Contests And More
Reed, whose body becomes elastic, is dubbed Mr. Fantastic. Sue develops the power to become invisible and create force fields. Hence, she becomes known as The Invisible Woman.
Johnny, who develops the power to burst into flames and fly has dubbed himself The Human Torch, while Ben becomes a hideously misshapen rock-like monster with super-human strength. He's described by one character as a "Thing," and the name sticks.
Doom's DNA has been altered by the cosmic storm, too, but since the mission was considered a failure, he's heading toward financial ruin. But he's gained power, quite literally, by discovering that his body can conduct electricity -- a power that can only be stopped by the "Fantastic Four" before the twisted Dr. Doom takes over New York City.
For the casual fan who just wants to be entertained, "Fantastic Four" has all of the right elements: It has a good-old fashioned "good vs. evil" storyline; the Fantastic Four, often described as "The First Family of Superheroes," comes off as a mild-to-midland dysfunctional family unit, which makes the characters relatable in an amusing sort of way. To add a wrinkle to the proceedings, the characters show their human qualities while struggling to deal with their newfound powers. Yes, it's a fantastical premise, but don't look to be disconnected from what's going on.
Working against "Fantastic Four" is the distinction of being the first Marvel Comic book creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961.
Because of that, comic book loyalists will most likely bristle at the notion that, with a rich history of stories, that there's not more plot there. Plus, the filmmakers have taken liberties with the basic storyline. But, really, the liberties they take hardly take away from what happens on film. No matter what you do with a loved piece of literature or pop culture, there will always be people with pre-conceived notions of what the movie should be.
But, again, casual fans won't care about that, particularly kids. What it is for what it is for the casual fan of movies, though, is non-stop fun. Kids will love the sparkling characters, whether they're in human or superhero forms. For concerned parents, there is violence, but the sort of cartoonish stuff we've seen in previous superhero movies. There's some suggestive content, too, but it will go over the kids' heads.
And that's the great thing: "Fantastic Four" is not so cornball that it will turn off adults. It's a movie with mass appeal.
A choice that raised the ire of comic book fans, Alba delivers a satisfying performance as the vivacious Sue Storm. Gruffudd, who played Lancelot last year in the lackluster King Arthur, establishes himself better as an actor here as the reserved and very likable Reed Richards. Chiklis, the anti-hero of television's "The Shield" meets the challenge and is lovable as the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing, and McMahon, from television's "Nip/Tuck," revels in the villain role as Dr. Doom.
The breakout performer in the cast, though, is Evans, who brings endless sparks of enthusiasm as the wisecracking daredevil playboy Johnny Storm. His character lights up the screen whether he's Johnny Storm or The Human Torch, whether he's cracking funny one-liners or playfully messing with The Thing, or on fire, literally, as The Human Torch.
Critics of this film will try to argue that the movie is an excuse to display special effects and the characters are secondary, and that couldn't be any farther from the truth.
Yes, having a director like Tim Story, who helmed the delightful "Barbershop" and the flop "Taxi," seems like a curious choice to guide this movie.
But the key word to remember here is "Barbershop," which is all about character, and Story keeps the balance between characters and special effects in-check with "Fantastic Four" -- although maybe not as clever as say that other family superhero movie "The Incredibles." You remember, the movie with the rock of the family having super-human strength, another that was elastic, another that could turn invisible and another that could burst into flames (remember baby Jack-Jack at the end of the movie)?
Hmmm ... do you think that maybe that was inspired by the "Fantastic Four" comic book?
As for those special effects -- they're beyond fantastic, because most of it we haven't seen before. Whether it's Reed stretching, bending or flattening himself, Sue turning invisible and creating powerful force fields or Johnny combusting and taking flight, it's thrilling stuff to watch.
The most iconic character from the comics, The Thing, is in a sense a continuous effect because Chiklis is in a rock-like suit rather than a computer-generated character. Story and his fellow filmmakers made the right choice by avoiding the CGI route, because The Thing is convincing as he is. The suit looks terrific, plus, by actually being there in body instead of voice, it gives Chiklis a chance to strut his stuff as an actor.
In the end, like many superhero movies, the door is left wide open for a sequel for "Fantastic Four." If it's going to be as wildly entertaining as this one, heck, bring on four more.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VideoExtra!
