An Underrated Cosmic Gem

Rating: 8/10 (21 January 2020)

As an avid fan and reader of the titular comics, 2005's "Fantastic Four" is an underrated gem of the superhero genre. You can get plot synopses elsewhere and don't need me, but much negativity since this movie's release has been unjustly aimed at it in my opinion, and there are two frequent criticisms I want to defend against...
Firstly, a lack of action scenes within the film's runtime; sitcom-like family bickering for the majority of it has been a common gripe. I don't understand this though, especially when the Stan Lee & Jack Kirby issues (unarguably the greatest and most significant run for the characters) featured the same argumentative (sometimes petty) yet loving family rapport between the quartet and I believe it was faithfully heartfelt and humorously well replicated in the movie. There's great charm throughout. Additionally, I also believe 2005's "Fantastic Four" in contrast to the origin featured in 1961 actually enhanced the believability and natural progression of the reluctance and panic feelings one would have when first burdened with unearthly powers. Much like many 1960's Marvel origins, characters seemed to have too quick readiness to don tights and be a superhero without hesitation. Contrarily, 2005's "Fantastic Four" features the quartet desiring a cure to return to a life of normality with a reluctance of becoming superheroes (the only exception of the four is the egocentric Johnny wanting fame). They only become superheroes and don their costumes collectively in the climactic third act when Doctor Doom is a threat to the city that only they have the ability and resources to thwart; the Fantastic Four earn their stripes. The lack of action is justified to build to those moments when it happens.
Secondly, the characterization of Doctor Doom in comparison to his comic book counterpart has been a frequently too harsh criticism also. Yes, and again as an avid fan and reader of Fantastic Four, I would've preferred the tyrannical monarch of the nation Latveria and dark sorcerer he is known to be... but it wouldn't have been suitable contextually in this movie. Aside from being a former classmate to Reed and being neurotically vain to his later scarring, all other characterization has been altered in the movie. But it's okay because it's a different yet fitting adaptation and should be regarded as such. 2005's "Fantastic Four" has instead a business tycoon Doctor Doom that accompanies the origin space mission and is affected by the same cosmic energy cloud as the FF are. It acts as a unifying origin for the story and Doom's powers are organic to his body equivalent to the rest. Narratively it makes it simpler and surely lessons the runtime (106 minutes) without a separate branching side-plot Doctor Doom origin to potentially muddle it up, so it's not upsetting to me. Besides, the costume for Doctor Doom is quite visually faithful yet aesthetically modernized, and Julian McMahon's performance is dastardly fun.
Now that my refuting to those common criticisms have been made, in conclusion I want to mention this movie's greatest strength: Michael Chiklis. His performance as the self-pitied ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing was absolutely perfect. He was the Thing incarnate. Especially when it's known of Chiklis' expressed hardships while wearing the cumbersome body suit, fitting of the role he was playing; I have great admiration. The suit though cumbersome for Chiklis, looked incredible not being CGI with design semblance of tribute to the early Kirby look prior to the large brow. Kirby surely would've been proud and teary-eyed of Chiklis' impeccable performance of his character on the big screen. Also, further boosting aspects of Thing's depiction in the movie, Chiklis' gravely Thing voice is not augmented; it's naturally spoken by the actor. And finally, the Thing's character arc is the strongest and deepest of the movie; transitioning from self-pity of appearance to culminating in a selfless act of Ben Grimm's acceptance of the decision to transform back to the Thing permanently to save the team. A trait of a true hero.
To end my wordy rambling, 2005's "Fantastic Four" is not a perfect movie, nor the greatest superhero movie ever, but it's a fantastic (pun intended) experience if you don't watch through the lenses of your movie goggles too seriously or analytical. Escapism requires only one ingredient: FUN. Try it; I feel some people tend to forget that simplistic level of enjoyment sometimes. Anyway, FLAME ON!