The not so fantastic four

Rating: 5/10 (6 July 2005)

i had very low expectations going in to watch this film, after watching the disappointing previews. i think i've expressed my misgivings with the thing's look countless times in the IMDb boards, as well as others. watching the film hasn't changed my opinion of how the thing looks like styrofoam. i still think he should have been cgi (despite what other people think), or even at least cg enhanced, so that the viewer can probably forget that they're looking at a man in a suit, and maybe believe that the guy is actually made of rock. but that's a minor complaint. here come some more...
SPOILERS AHEAD the cg effects are impressive at times. the human torch looks fantastic, but that's already expected. as long as the quality is decent enough, computer-generated fire will always look great. Mr. fantastic looks plain fake. obviously cgi, even when he stretches with his suit on. Susan's powers look great sometimes, particularly at the end when she conjures up a massive shield.
the script is funny at times (in a campy way), & sloppy at others. i found myself rolling my eyes at some scenes, particularly the ones between reed and Susan (especially when they talk about their failed relationship, & argue about their love life) & those with Ben Grimm dealing with his physical appearance. i wish they had just removed the Alicia character altogether. i wish they would have also edited out the scenes with his wife (or fiancée, i don't really know). the scene with the engagement/wedding ring was just unforgivably laughable. while Tim story was obviously trying to go for some emotional depth, i'd prefer having a paper-thin thing than having to bear those excruciatingly painful moments.
Chris Evan's was funny. he played the egotistical airhead & lady killer pretty well. but his character was overdone sometimes & bordered on being ridiculously stupid. he's totally one-dimensional (always arrogant & stubborn, & always excited & impulsive).i wish they would have added more depth to the character. all we get is him and Susan fighting all the time about his behavior, which, not surprisingly, changes nothing.
the guy who played Victor Von Doom (forgot his name) was also fairly menacing. he's a natural villain, until he puts his mask on. i was expecting him to put on a Darth Vader-esquire voice. that didn't happen. they could have changed his voice to make him seem more threatening, but they didn't. we get his natural voice, and instead of being scared by him, one can only laugh at how ridiculous he sounds with that mask on.
the final showdown was breathtaking at times, but again the poor quality of the CGI was magnified with Mr. fantastic's display of the wide range of his powers. it was also pretty short, leaving one wanting.
it's a happy ending for the F4, with the final scenes obviously setting us up for another round. i'm pretty certain 20th century fox will be reasonable enough by then to dump Tim story for a director with actual talent.
i give it a 6/10.