This film is Fantastic!!!

Rating: 10/10 (17 June 2007)

When the first film was over, I was disappointed because I wanted MORE!, feeling cheated that this cool quartet of super heroes had done their job, and the credits rolled... kind like "The Sopranos", without the hype. Here is the sequel, and this film rocks! Mr. Fantastic and the troupe are back, with their powers, their very distinct personalities, and plenty of charm, ready to save the world, showing how a team works, like a true family.
Best part of the movie is everything, from its impeccable special effects, demonstrating how special effect technology keeps improving, and how a simple story, when well developed and acted can produce chills down people's spines. While I'm seating in the audience, the children were reactions varied from: "that was bad" to "awesome, awesome, awesome...", and the best tribute to any of these films, "that wasn't boring at all, much better than...." The film moves quickly and in a very dynamic manner, giving us enough to understand its plot, giving us more insights into each of the characters' background and personalities, not overburdening anyone with unnecessary pathos and too much drama. Although the dying scene did bring a couple of tears to my eyes.
"Fantastic Four" works because it respects its audience and doesn't pander to us, giving us something that might look impressive in a treatment, but it's poorly executed. The cast is first rate, and it shows, and now on to the introduction of a new classic character: The Silver Surfer. This dude is blazing hot, as played by Doug Jones and rendered by the top notch CGI team behind the film. It's not just a showcase for the amount of money spent on the film, but a valid, powerful, and interesting new addition to the world of action/SFX cinema. Here's an ambiguous figure that gives something to fear and wonder, a power that used properly can be the best that could ever happen to humans; otherwise it's a valid fear.
Dr. Doom is back, with his insidious nature, ready to outsmart our heroes and gives us a little trouble. Not a minute wasted here.
Run and ride the terrific silver wave! This is so far and without a doubt the best action summer film so far, the contenders are not even on the same league. Hollywood does learn its lessons!