The Fab Four

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2006)

Doggonit, I liked this. Either wisely, or by falling backward into it, this succeeds where the "X-Men" and "Spider Man" things failed...there was no attempt here to put human pathos on a comic book existence, and this was refreshing.
Story could not ruin it, simply because of a sturdy 40+ year narrative supporting it before frame one was shot. We don't mind noisy spaceships in the vacuum, or gravity where there should be none; the invention predates "2001" or "Solyaris".
All Story really has to do is direct characters. And for what the movie is intended to be, the key is to not let the characters get in the way of the narrative. That narrative, by the way, is that of a squabbling, but at the end of the day a loving, family unit. "The Incredibles" (where the family is nailed, and the integration of the family with world is on target, too) sets the benchmark. Here, the focus is on embracing 'celebrity': so we essentially have John, Paul, George and Ringo.
For the sequelae to score, they will have to take visual chances -- also where this was bested by "Incredibles". But I think this got off to a better start than most have given it credit for, simply by skipping the pretensions.