The Gruesome Foursome.

Rating: Null/10 (10 July 2005)

Five scientists in outer space are exposed to a mysterious form of cosmic radiation which alters their DNA makeups in various ways. One (Julian McMahon) becomes a madman and the others (Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis) become the titled superheroes who fight for truth, justice......and you know the rest. Disappointing entry for the genre that has a sorry story, old special effects and uneven characters. Alba and Gruffudd's past romance becomes tiring fast, Evans is a woman-crazed nut who takes his powers as a grain of salt and Chiklis is a depression-inducing character whose background and dilemma seem totally out of place in this picture. McMahon's power-crazed mega-billionaire provides flashes of interest, but the production's tone when dealing with him is so dark and disturbing that he too seems like he is in the wrong movie. DC Comics' 1960s invention was old and tired even back then because superheroes were nothing new. Hanna & Barbera's animated take on the comics were never anything noteworthy either and thus it becomes a bit of a mystery why anyone ever believed the premise would translate to the silver screen. I guess we are just going through another superhero movie surge in Hollywood right now. 2.5 out of 5 stars.