Video Reviews: 'Fantastic Four,' More

"Fantastic Four" (PG-13): Forget about what high-brow critics say: For what it is, the latest Marvel Comics movie adaptation, "Fantastic Four" is ultimately popcorn movie fare and doesn't pretend to be anything different -- and the kernels are exploding at a fast, furious and fun rate.

The film follows the origins of the famed comic book foursome, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), a group of scientists who, along with Dr. Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon), undergo genetic mutations as they are exposed to a cosmic storm in space. Reed becomes Mr. Fantastic, who has the power of elasticity; Ben develops super-human strength as he turns into a rock-shaped creature dubbed "The Thing." Sue can disappear into "The Invisible Woman," who also has force-field capabilities, and Johnny, who can burst into flames and fly, becomes "The Human Torch."

But while the "Fantastic Four" decide to use their abnormalities to do good until they can find a cure for themselves, Dr. Doom has different plans: He has the power of electricity, and for a megalomaniacal industrialist, his new burst of energy perfectly fits the bill for his devious plans.

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.

If you keep your mind open, though, you'll find that "Fantastic Four" is filled with fast action, groundbreaking visuals and makeup effects, snappy dialogue and memorable characters realized by a talented cast. It makes you look forward to more "Fantastic" adventures.

DVD Features: The disc includes "Making of Featurettes" and three deleted scenes -- the best of which features Mr. Fantastic shape-shifting into "X-Men" legend Wolverine. It's a lot more entertaining than the much ballyhooed exclusive "Inside Look" at "X-Men 3," which features nothing more than producer Avi Arad waxing poetic about things to come. If it's footage you're looking for from the upcoming film, you'll be sorely disappointed. (Fox Home Entertainment)

"Cinderella Man": (PG-13) Russell Crowe delivers another knock-out performance with "Cinderella Man," the incredible true story of depression-era boxer James Braddock.

Like many people in the United States, Braddock lost everything in the stock market and his family was forced to live hand-to-mouth. When he was at his lowest, he was offered a major fight that most people saw as a publicity stunt. However, Braddock's pride, determination and love for his family led to a miracle that inspired an entire nation to hope and led writer Damon Runyon to dub him a "Cinderella Man."

The story is true, but even if you already know what happened it shouldn't take away from the remarkable power of this real-life fairy tale, directed by Ron Howard. The film, in fact, may be Howard's masterpiece, as everything seems to work. From the casting (including brilliant performances by Renee Zellweger and Paul Giamatti), to the atmosphere to the one-two punch editing, Howard makes you feel like you are taking the blows.

Russell Crowe truly inhabits the character of Braddock. With just his eyes, you can see hurt, determination, pain, love and hope all at once.

Craig Bierko -- who has had a lot of smaller roles on TV and in the movies and is known on Broadway as a song and dance man -- is stunning as the brutish fighter Max Baer -- a man so powerful that he killed two men in the ring. Bierko is completely transformed with massive muscles, a hulking demeanor and eyes that look like they could kill all by themselves.

For all of its triumphs, the great thing about "Cinderella Man" is that it doesn't gloss over the horrors and desperate measures some people had to take just to put food in their children's mouths and heat in their home. For example, the vision of Hooverville in Central Park is a real eye-opener.

In the end, Howard makes "Cinderella Man" a champ -- delivering heart, hope, laughter, tears and action that will have you holding your breath for the outcome.

DVD Features: The 2-disc "Collector's Edition" includes commentary by Howard and writers Akiva Goldsman and Cliff Hollingsworth; deleted scenes with optional commentary; and multiple production featurettes including a look at the real-life Braddock, a look at the history of boxing and more. (Universal Studios Home Video).

"The Dukes of Hazzard" (PG-13): The "Good Ol' Boys" are back and wilder than ever in "The Dukes of Hazzard," a souped-up version of the classic television series.

Of course, the movie follows the exploits of cousins Bo (Seann William Scott) and Luke Duke (Johnny Knoxville) who start the movie by botching a moonshine mission for their Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson). But the Duke boys' trouble is only starting to brew, since Hazzard County's corrupt commissioner Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds) is cooking up a dastardly plan to bring the family down -- and only Bo, Luke and their cousin Daisy Duke (Jessica Simpson) can stop him.

While Scott and Knoxville ably fill the shoes of Bo and Luke, the film becomes more of a hazard when Simpson opens her mouth. Her accent seems like a cross between something Southern and British, and not even her shapely figure can distract you enough from realizing that her movie debut is a complete disaster.

In fact, it's obvious that Simpson was removed from the film as much as possible, as her scenes are few and far between. Without the distraction, film veteran Reynolds and Joe Don Baker bring things back to a respectable level, and Nelson and the severely under-rated David Koechner (the dimwit mechanic Cooter) nearly steal the show with their hilarious one-liners. "Wonder Woman" Lynda Carter turns up, too, but is under-used in a minuscule role.

DVD features include additional unrated and "PG-13" scenes, production featurettes, gag reels and Simpson's "These Boots Are Made For Walking" video. (Warner Home Video)

"24: Season 4" (NR) You would think the "Die Hard" syndrome would kick-in eventually (how Bruce Willis' John McClane amazingly finds himself in precarious situations) and the premise would start to grow old; but Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer, it's his day-to-day job, and the fourth day of "24" is among the best.

The fourth season of the intense counter-terrorism drama, new on DVD, finds Bauer racing against the clock to prevent Middle-Eastern terrorists (no fear of political correctness, here) from hitting a major U.S. city with a nuclear missile. But as the show so brilliantly demonstrated in early seasons, the plots are multi-layered and anything but predictable. It's a great show.

DVD Features: The seven-disc set includes audio commentary from series filmmakers and cast; multiple deleted scenes and a special "prequel" to the upcoming season. The brief segment is exciting, but doesn't tell us much more than that after a year, people are onto the fact that Bauer is alive and on the run. (Fox Home Entertainment)

Debra Scott contributed to this report.