“The Fantastic Four” (20th Century Fox)
There are movies that are made to be seen in the summer. They are lightweight in content, full of watchable stars, contain a blend of romance, comedy and drama, and make us smile along with them as we munch on our popcorn. Such a film is “The Fantastic Four,” a fantastically enjoyable film.
Everything about this movie gets it right, from the casting of virtual unknowns – Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd and Julian McMahon – to the superfun comic book plot. The special effects are dazzling and the storyline is geared to make you laugh, sigh and scream. It is like “X-Men” but better, and that’s saying something.
If you were wishing we were going to have a new “Spiderman” movie this summer, this franchise is just as good. You can watch the film again and again and still have fun each and every time.
The plot concerns five people who are in a space station and get radiated. This affects their DNA and makes each one develop a super power. Reed Richards (Gruffudd) obtains the power to be rubber like. He can stretch his body or contort it into any shape he wants.
Ben Grimm (Chiklis) ends up being encased in rock hard muscles that cause him to be called “the thing.” He is grotesque looking but loveable. He also gets the funniest lines in the film along with Johnny Storm (Evans).
Johnny becomes a human torch and can also fly. He is the only one in the group who actually embraces this DNA change. He thinks its cool – plus the girls like it. He always thought he was hot stuff but now he, and everybody else, knows he is.
Johnny’s sister Sue (Alba) develops the ability to make herself invisible. Since she feels that Reed Richards sometimes looks right through her, this new talent is appropriate.
Victor Von Doom (McMahon) becomes metallic and uses this change to do evil. He becomes known as “Dr. Doom” and is the scourge of the “Fantastic Four.”
The movie is rated PG-13 due to profanity and violence as well as some adult humor.
All of the actors are in great shape physically and acting wise. This movie should really make their careers, and I am sure there will be sequels galore in their futures.
This movie should clean up at the box office. It is the perfect summer treat. Go and see “The Fantastic Four.” Its FUNTASTIC!!!
I scored “The Fantastic Four” a super-powered 8 out of 10.
