Great film for the Fantastic Four film fan...

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2007)

While not being a reader of the Fantastic Four comic books, I highly enjoyed "Fantastic Four" (2005) and have since read a few of the books starring our four superheroes. I anticipated this sequel with bated breath and was, if possible, more excited when I saw the first preview for it at the cinema.
The Four are back again with gusto, new villains, (a new hero too), special effects galore, more action, and of course: upgraded uniforms. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) and Susan Storm (Jessica Alba) are set to marry in the media event of the city, with Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) standing by. But another event is taking place, one more significant...the Silver Surfer, working for Galactus, the destroyer of planets, have set their sights on Earth. The Four's nemesis, Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) also returns. Through the film, the team of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, The Thing and Torch, try to stop the Surfer, while Von Doom appeals to the military, offering his services. Naturally we all know that doesn't end well.
The special effects are incredible, and viewers won't be disappointed with more action. The fast-paced ending is brilliant, and at one point shockingly surprising (for me at least!), and everything in between is amazing. Gruffudd and Alba have convincing chemistry as the affianced couple, and the banter between Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm is excellently played by Chiklis and Evans. Evans especially gives to his character, transforming from hothead egotistical teenager to more mature, team-oriented adult. All give their characters life...one might say they were meant to play these roles. Each embraces the hardships and "non-normalish" bits of their characters extremely well. McMahon as the notorious Victor Von Doom is particularly enjoyable to watch, as he absolutely dominates his scenes with his intensity and brilliance. Not to be outdone, Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne as the body and voice of the Silver Surfer respectively create a character that fans attach to. And Stan Lee fans, it's not hard to miss the Fantastic Four creator at all...as he plays himself! The chemistry of all four lead actors with each other is phenomenal, and they really get through the feeling of family, with the bickering and the love (a touching shot in the conclusion between Johnny and Sue is particularly heartwarming). Their chemistry with their costars is also extremely good. And, thankfully, there were no cheesy lines (remembering Susan Storm's "These are my lips" line at the conclusion of the first film).
After being sorely disappointed by all the sequels I've seen this summer, which include Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and Shrek the Third, I wasn't having too high of hopes for this one, even though I enjoy the Fantastic Four stories more than Spidey, but at last I saw a movie that was worth the ticket, and the time. Instead of 3 hours or just short of, filled with overly-twisting plots, unbearably bad lines, and poor carrying of the plot, "Fantastic Four" is an hour and a half of a strong plot, good lines, and tons of effects to keep one riveted, I enjoyed this film immensely and finally was given the film worth my money this summer...in fact it gave me a film worth twice my money...as I saw it again today!