Expectation Matchstick

Rating: 7/10 (8 July 2007)

Just back from the theater and thought, "FFRSS... exactly as I could have hoped for." The greatest film ever: of course not. Shakespearean caliber performances: of course not. So, you ask, "how did it meet my expectations?"
For starters, my expectations were real, their backbone being the first FF. If you saw that, you could not possibly expect this second installment to offer much more. Nothing groundbreaking, nothing astounding. Just a playful, escapist, superhero action movie based semi-faithfully on its roots as a playful, escapist, superhero comic book. And cool CGI as the trailer unveiled. Armed with this as a backdrop to what FFRSS might bring to the table, I'd say it exceeded my expectations, a little. In part because the characters are familiar, and despite an absence of striking depth, they have genuine likability.
This is not to say FFRSS is an outstanding movie. Nor is there a noteworthy flaw. The plot is neither three-dimensional, nor totally lacking. The script is weak, but with some funny/cutesy one-liners that seemed to come off universally well with the crowd at my theater. The acting was mediocre, but counter-balanced by the likable characters, an ounce affection for the comic book roots, and a pinch of latitude for the genre.
And, considering this genre, and the expectation standard established by the first FF, it seems bizarre that so many folk have inked reviews on IMDb which parse and pick at this movie as though it was billed as an Oscar contender. And comparing it to action hero gems like Spiderman, or Pirates, etc. I mean, really, how could anyone stand in line at the box office with that sort of expectation? Yet, they do.
And one guy...Sa'ar Vardi(saarvardi@walla.co.il), from Israel...had the matzoh balls to pick at every actor from every angle, even stating that "Jessica Alba isn't even that pretty any more." Good God and OYE VEY...what is wrong with you dude (dudess). Do I hear a cat fight, or have you switched teams? I'd wager that even when she is invisible, Alba has more sugar on the eye than you.
What should you expect? Well, let's see.
This movie is about 4 comic book characters, one who turns into a flying matchstick, one who becomes invisible, one who turns into plastic elastic, and one who is a rock (made of sponge). That's the expectorant you should toss in one pocket before reaching into the other. The Silver Surfer character was cool, and the special effects a little more interesting than the previous FF.