does what it says on the tin.

Rating: 6/10 (2 October 2005)

Fantastic four Does what it says on the tin; fantastic four is just that, fantastic! At last a superhero film that doesn't take itself too seriously. The writers, actors and director have realised that superheroes don't exist, not in the sense of flying on flame or going invisible and with this in mind they have made a thoroughly enjoyable film. From the opening, which puts us right into the D.N.A. storm that causes the four to get their powers, we are put in a position where we are not being confused with too much background information. Its just two old friends and a brother and sister doing a project that goes wrong and leaves them with special skills. Then we move swiftly into finding out a bit more about the four as they find out a bit more about their new abilities. This is pure fun as the 'thing' and the 'human torch' bicker like children, playing pranks on each other to paper over the cracks left in their psyche by suddenly being singled out as different, which the torch embraces as much as the thing shuns it. It's actually quite sad when the things wife finally sees him and removes her wedding ring. Set pieces are abundant from the first very public display of the four's powers as they save several members of a fire brigade from impending doom on a bridge. Speaking of doom we arrive at victor Von doom, jealous, angry power-crazed and recently broke billionaire also exposed to a dose of space storm that is slowly turning him into a metal enemy with the power to control electricity. He becomes the protagonist that firstly splits the team and eventually unites them in solidarity to overcome his evil and save the day. I know its pretty simple stuff but it works. Its superheroes verses supervillans, good verses evil, power verses friendship all done with its tongue firmly in its super stretchy cheek. Just watching the thing bound about was entertaining enough and with Jessica Alba for eye-candy who can go wrong. I don't really see how this got so badly slated by critics. Its not as dark as batman, not as confusing as the hulk, equally as good as Spiderman and a lot better than daredevil/Electra etc. suspend your belief, turn off your brain, put your pants on top of your trousers and think four. Fantastic.