The clue to this films in the name.... Fantastic

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2005)

I'm not really a major marvel fan, i've read a few comics, had a few toys, still got some in-fact. Yet i never really looked at comic's coming to the big screen in a way that they have. Normally in cheesy films were everything is over done (like the old batman films). Yet when Spiderman was released, i was amazed. I was shocked at how something that was on paper could be brought to life in such a way that people could almost associate themselves with the characters.
Just before the release of this film, i decided to read some previews on it. I like to do this for most films, because if critic's say its "crap" then most the time the film is actually really good (not to say u have bad judgement.... but u do). So after hearing that this film was supposed to be one of the biggest flops of the year. I thought, thats a really bad preview, a really bad one considering no one's actually seen it yet. So i thought, seeing as my philosophy about preview's has never let me down (pluss the trailers looked really amazing) this film is probably going to be really amazing. And i was right.
Even if you don't no the story plot of the comic series, don't worry, the film's plot (although slightly different) will intrigue and amaze you so much, you'll need a hole bunch of medic's on standby, just in-case u have a heart attack..
Ioan Gruffudd (Reed Richards), normally referred to as Lancelot or if you ever watch the series, Horn-blower. This role as head of the fantastic four, required a more, adult type role of the 4. Always thinking before acting, and by god does he pull this off.
Jessica Alba (Sue Storm... invisible girl), normally seen wearing nothing but tight pants and a bra....no not clicked yet? She played Nancy in sin city. This woman is stunning, funny and smart (add cooking and cleaning, and she'd be perfect... only kidding). Equally on par with everyone else in the film, her role as the invisible girl is not for the feint of heart. Specially when she cant control her powers and is standing in her underwear.... bet your all looking forward to that shot.
Chris Evans...(torch, human flame, human torch) Don't recognise him? Come on, normally on a phone saving peoples lives? Celluar star Chris Evans produces one of the most amazing performances i've seen. Not only funny but also witty and sarcastic... He presents himself as every teenagers dream, living the life of stardom, as well as being able to incinerate to a whooping 4000 degrees. Yet, its not the character that make the torch they way he is, its Chris. Adding his own fun personality into this role, makes him shine as probably the "coolest" one out of the four.
Micheal Chiklis...(Ben Grimm, "The thing") who? I've never heard of this guy, or seen him in any well known movie. A risky choice maybe, a bad one? I don't think so. Micheal's performance is magical. He manages to pull of the huge brute fantastically. Not only with the physical side (punch people half way across the world) but also with his own mental battle. Micheal actually makes you feel for the guy, which in an action packed movie like this, is a very rare and hard thing to do.
Julian McMahon....(Dr Victor Van Doom) Well, i don't really think you'll see a better actor play the hardest bad guy anywhere, ever. Julians was unbelievable... portrayed as the doctor that cuts people insides up, is now going to be seen as probably the best villain (other than Dath Vader) of all time. He was evil, cruel, menacing, and damn right out of this world. He brought to the screen a feeling of wanting, people will sit there thinking, i really want to be that guy. Not just because of his huge unbelievable powers, but because he's a normal, money and power hungry man (like most of us). He embraces his power, and by god does it show.
Now for the part I'm sure you've all been waiting for, visual effects. Most of you will think nothing can be different, it will be the same as every other visual effect film. How wrong you are. You will walk out that cinema with your hair on fire it looks that real. Every visual effect is brilliantly carried out, turning invisible in a split second is really cool stuff. The visual effects make is seem like an normal random person and just do it. Same with everything else. Yet by far the best above all has to be the human torch. Covering his whole body in fire (i don't see that being a suit... do you?). He looks unreal, the flames so life like, as if someone could actually burst into the flames in the chair next to you. Its just, well, indescribable... you've got to see it to be believe it. There is only one problem with one of the characters CGI. Thats good old Reed Richards. Although most of the time, basically perfect animation texture and colouring. At one point in the film, his arm did look complete fake.... but hey, graphic's aren't that good yet, so you cant have everything.
Overall, this film easily stands out amongst the masses of films. I personally think its one of the best films i've seen since Lord of the Rings. Inviting, not particularly taxing to watch, funny and the bad guy is just amazing. Once you've seen this film, you'll be wanting more, you'll want those toys, them models, t-shirts and mugs. Some of you may even take it as far as a Dr Doom costume.... It is that surreal.