Better than I expected. And a great film to enjoy in the theater

Rating: 10/10 (8 July 2005)

WEll, after years of being stillborn, the Fantastic Four has hit the big screen. I was a fan of the comic book, and felt if the film at least captured a bit of the essence of the F4 from the Original Marvel comic, while giving believable FX, I'd be happy.
Mission accomplished.
The Fantastic Four I always knew and loved, and the Dr. Doom I always loved to root against, have been brought to life. And more over, updated for the 21st century.
Of all the characters the 2 best in contrast are Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) who always has a smart alecky comment or one liner ready when he isn't showing off like an X-Games wannabe, and Ben Grimm (The Thing) Who is gruff and iconoclastic, tragic but also unwitting comic relief. Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) can also give a bit of comedic relief when unwitting side effects of his 'stretching' (like falling asleep at the keyboard) show up via CGI. Sue Storm (The Invisible Girl) is both fragile, yet also burning with intelligence and a desire to be taken seriously.
This film, while opening up the F4 for the 21st century (things like Johnny's running off to perform stunts on TV, or Ben getting a doll made for him from 'marketing' ) are balanced with classic silver age symbols -- the Baxter Building with its funky top 5 floors, Ben Grimm's trademark Fedora and trenchcoat (thanks to a big and tall store), and Doom's 'old country' roots in Latveria -- all these give the F4 a great grounding in classic marvel comics.
The Character changed the most is Dr. Doom -- Victor Von Doom -- a Donald Trump like Mogul at the top of his own multi-billion dollar corporation -- Doom was always the self made scientist blaming reed for his 'scar' -- well the 'scar' is there, but this time, Doom is 'caught' in the same Cosmic Storm which empowers reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben -- Doom's 'power' becoming the ability to channel electricity, side effected by a body turning to metal. Soon, using Reeds ' research' to try and reverse the storm, Doom hatches his own plan to neutralize the members of the F4 while augmenting his own power -- in short, classic Dr. Doom.
The film presents other supporting characters -- a forgettable group of trolls as Dooms 'board of directors' all of whom are eliminated when Doom stages his own 'hostile takeover' -- and Kerry Washington as Alicia Masters -- she perfectly pulls of a smart, urban Willamsburg artist who reaches out to Ben's soul past his stone exterior. Those folk who were 'upset' at a black woman being cast needed to understand -- its wasn't her race. Its the fact she is a NEW YORKER -- and she pulls off her Williamburg open hearted, open minded girl with class.
The film remains evenly paced -- it can get a bit slow, especially in the stint from the recovery from the space station to the 'bridge reunion' of the characters, but after that,it is fast paced and exciting, right to the end, and a final scene that promises and exciting sequel.
I'm happy. I waited all year to see this, the wait was worth it.