Kids' movie

Rating: 6/10 (1 December 2008)

Aimed strictly at the kiddie set, FF tells how four astronauts are molecularly altered by cosmic rays, resulting in such powers as the ability to stretch (Reed Richards), turn invisible and manipulate the very air (Invisible Girl), become a flaming, flying freak (Human Torch) and grow orange rhino skin and be able to move mountains (Thing). This first movie spends time developing each character as he or she starts to adjust to the new powers. They also take on Doctor Doom, a metallic-masked villain who can do some really nasty stuff with the flick of a wrist, like boring a hole through the middle of someone. Most of the FF's off time is spent kibitzing with each other. The humor is broad and aimed squarely at the pre-teen crowd, the exact opposite of X-MEN and SPIDER-MAN. The movie is clunky at best and could have used more action. And the gal playing Invisible Girl seemed oddly cast to me. I would have preferred a more polished actress like Rachael McAdams or even Kirtsen Dunst. But then again, they didn't make this movie for an adult male with three grown children. Maybe the kiddies loved her in this role.