Fantastic Four: I Liked It, Is That A Problem?

Rating: 8/10 (13 August 2005)

I liked it.
Sure, it suffered from too many cooks in the kitchen, and the typical developmental hellish impact that Hollywood can have on a complicated and much anticipated property like the FF, But here's my litmus test. I saw a screening on Tuesday, and rather than just being a room full of media, it was a mixed bag of average consumers and reviewers. The film ended, and people clapped and cheered. Not the reviewers mind you, we're too jaded to do that.
It's a PG-13 film I can take my five-year old son to see (if I brace him for the violence, which fortunately is rare). It has the quintessential Stan Lee cameo (please Stan, stop already..the Hitchcock bit is getting old).
I love folks that compare it (negatively) to Sin City or Constantine. I'll accept the comparisons to The Incredibles--that juxtaposition makes sense. But saying FF is no Sin City is as reasonable as trying to complain that Archie Comics will never be as good as Love & Rockets. It's an apples/oranges comparison, I'm afraid.
I liked it. I can't explain why. I won't justify the plot holes or the other film's failings. I just know I'll be taking my son.