Silver Surfer Rules

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2007)

When the Human Torch, Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), first encounters the Silver Surfer he exclaims, "Now that's cool!" Yes, the Silver Surfer is so cool. It's this light hearted spirit and sense of wonder that propel Director Tim Story's "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer". "Rise of the Silver Surfer" is a light year's improvement over the original "Fantastic Four". The Silver Surfer is the iconic figure that transcends to almost the spiritual in pop culture. Well, perhaps that is a bit much. Admittedly, the tale of the Silver Surfer is the stuff of classic mythology. Possessing the power to transform matter and energy in the cosmos at will, the Silver Surfer has few equals. Is the Surfer the World's destroyer or savior? As embodied by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne, the Silver Surfer is a mysterious paradox. The Surfer provokes unnatural disaster upon earth, and bares a calm and noble presence. The Fantastic Four seem no match for the powerful Silver Surfer. So what remains is distinguishing his intentions. The Silver Surfer ominously says, "All that you know, is at an end."
This time around the storytelling by Don Payne, Mark Frost and John Turman is engaging, compelling, with a humorous feel for pop culture celebrity. "Rise of the Silver Surfer" is also funny, in particular Chris Evans as Johnny Storm. As the story opens Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) is about to marry Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) in what is tagged as the "Wedding of the Century". Theirs is a rock star's wedding. The Fantastic Four have attained rock star status. In fact Johnny (Evans) has incorporated the 4, and is even considering NASCAR-like sponsorship for their uniforms. In a hysterical touch Johnny's date confesses in an "E!" carpet interview that dating the Human Torch requires "Fire proof lingerie and a lot of aloe." The Thing, Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), has settled into a stable relationship with Alica (Kerry Washington), who is blind.
On the eve of the Richards Wedding, General Hager (Andre Braugher), enrolls Reed into discovering the source of a series of unnatural events taking place across the globe. Genius Reed soon deduces that source may be an anomaly of vast cosmic energy. Upon further examination: this propagating energy anomaly has left 7 destroyed worlds in its aftermath. The cosmic anomaly is the Silver Surfer, and he becomes an uninvited guest at Reed and Sue's wedding in New York. During Johnny's encounter with the powerful Silver Surfer something goes awry. In the meantime, arch nemesis Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) is resurrected. The Fantastic Four are coerced into an alliance with Victor to battle the Silver Surfer. Of course Victor can not be trusted.
The compelling story is the Silver Surfer's. The Silver Surfer is the herald of Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. The Surfer is bound by his word to Galactus. In a great scene with Sue, the Silver Surfer concedes, "I have no choice." What choice does the honorable and benevolent Surfer have, being that he has given his word to serve the malevolent Galactus? This is a hero's conflict with no easy resolve. "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" is a great hero's story with engaging heroes. Chris Evans is awesome again as Johnny Storm. This time around he tempers his flip charm and flashy charisma, with his fear of ending up alone. Ioan Gruffudd has a newly commanding presence. He mutes some of the dorkiness of the character, and embodies leader. Jessica Alba, stunningly beautiful, to her credit plays Sue Storm straight and true to her character. Alba has an endearing vulnerability, and a surprising strength. Michael Chiklis is solid as Ben GrimmÂ—unfortunately his talents are not adequately leveraged. Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne together bring the enigmatic Silver Surfer to life. The Silver Surfer is such a noble and charismatic force. And the Silver Surfer gives the movie its spirit. "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" is awesome summer entertainment.