Most Disappointing Comic Book Film Ever

Rating: 5/10 (1 July 2007)

This film had so much potential. In my opinion, it could have been one of the best comic book films of all time. You have one of the greatest Super-hero groups, The Fantastic Four. One of the coolest comic book characters, The Silver Surfer. And most people know what the Silver Surfer is a precursor to, (Spoiler Avoiders: Turn Back Now!). Yes, Galactus is in this film and I am just speechless with his character. This movie could have been so much better.
First, the acting. Ioan Gruffud does yet again nothing as Mr. Fantastic. His performance is mediocre and the same with Julian McMahon as Dr. Doom and Jessica Alba as Susan Storm. Their performances did not change any from the first one. Chris Evans does a fairly good job in this film as a reckless and arrogant Johnny Storm. I liked the evolution of his character in this film from the last one! He is learning to become more responsible and we are seeing that character transition but he still has some reckless and self-impressive characteristics! Good story with Johnny Storm! Michael Chiklis is still good as the Thing but I feel his character is underused in the film.
Laurence Fishburne is the highlight of the film! He is a perfect voice for the Silver Surfer! The Silver Surfer character is amazing. An absolute thrill to watch! His qualities, characteristics, and powers are stunning! I love watching him fight! His character is very good although I do not think we get enough back story of him and his powers. Excellent portrayal of the Silver Surfer though.
The story is OK, the suspense of the film really got me on the edge. But the movie disappoints in that it builds more and more to a climatic point that is just completely mediocre. First, the surfer comes and starts making unknown phenomena occurring. Than, he tells Dr. Doom all he knows is at an end. Than, he tells Susan he has no choice and what is going to happen can't be stopped. Than, he tells Susan once he is captured that Galactus is coming. Than, we meet Frankie Rye. In the comics, she is a character who later sacrificed herself to become a herald to Galactus. Notice, The movie is building up more and more with little details/quotes hinting on some big event coming up with Galactus. Than, we see what looks like a silhouette of Galactus' helmet on Saturn (I think). And it comes down to the Surfer confronting Galactus, which is only what seems like a black hole and the surfer blows them both up!!! Thats it! No big Surfer/F.F. vs. Galactus showdown; The surfer draws up his power and blows up Galactus. That is not much of a climatic finish. After watching the trailers and seeing the Surfer, I was expecting some big battles with him and the F.F. but there was none except the chase scene with The Surfer and the Torch. The film set it up for some big pinnacle and never reached it.
Galactus' character is terrible. He is apparently a black-hole! That is it. He is no living being or elemental force of the cosmos! And it seems as if the Surfer is the source of his own power! His power comes from his board and we learn nothing about how he acquired his powers! It can only be assumed that The Surfer had his own powers and his silvery nature is his own physical characteristic. Not that Galactus gave him his powers. There seem to be too many questions unresolved about the Surfers powers, how he got them, and the powers of Galactus.
One simple word can describe this film, disappointing! I was more excited for this film than Spider-man 3 and I had high expectations for it that were not meant. Just a disappointing and poor movie!