A Worthy Effort

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2007)

Just returned from seeing the movie and can't find too much to complain about, ROTSS is a worthy effort and ranks only behind Superman Returns in the recent superhero boom.
This movie has a little bit of everything, The action sequences and SFX are above par, there is enough cheese to keep you smiling throughout and character development is balanced enough so it doesn't degenerate into a goo-fest.
What I like about the movie is that characters and the world around them are comfortable with our hero's powers and responsibilities, which helps give the movie a genuine comic book feel. Whilst the characters themselves are vulnerable enough to make them human. You get the feeling that the director (Tim Story) and writers (Frost and Payne) wanted to make a superhero movie, and were prepared to sacrifice the self-indulgence that has marred the Spiderman Trilogy and the turgid morality teachings of the X-men series.
The characters aren't without their charm least of all Ioan Gruffudd who leads nicely from the front as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba illuminates the screen with her blend of beauty and strength as Sue Storm. Chiklis and Evans support admirably as The Thing and Human Torch respectively. The smartest touch was the return of Julian McMahon as the malevolent and diabolical Dr Doom who adds the much needed element of treachery to the movie. The Silver Surfer is the films finest work however, radiant with mystique, power and vulnerability. Tim Story does a great job of keeping the Silver Surfer's sense of martyrdom prevalent towards the end.
In closing ROTSS is a credible effort doing enough to satisfy the comic book purists, whilst keep newcomers both entertained and informed. The world is saved and the next challenge awaits.