It Ain't Spiderman!

Rating: 8/10 (8 July 2005)

The Fantastic Four is pure dumb fun, a light summer confection. It is not in the same league as the aforementioned Spiderman, the first two Batman movies or the recently released Batman Begins. Nonetheless, it can be enjoyed for what it is--a family friendly popcorn flick.
The film starts somewhat slowly. It could almost be forgiven if it were due to exposition, however, this was not the case. Instead we were introduced to main characters with but sketchy information about their pasts together. It is a movie that requires that work your imagination a bit to fill in the blanks. Then, shortly after the catastrophic event that changes these characters for life, we are given a quick cut that feels like someone forgot a reel. One minute we are in outer space, and in the next we are back on earth in a hospital setting. It is jarring. Happily, things pick up form there and fun ensues.
The portrayals of the Human Torch and The Thing are the best parts of the film. The two of them provide the majority of the humor and action for the final two thirds of the film. Other half of the quartet don't quite click as well. Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic and Sue Storm, The Invisible Girl, don't quite have the chemistry. The romance between them seems a bit forced. Only the quickly unfolding relationship between Ben Grimm (The Thing) and the blind Alicia appears more unlikely. This is the first of a three movie deal--an origin film. Hopefully, they will do more in the other two films. The pieces are here to build a very good film franchise.
I'm ready for the next one.