Decent Marvel Outing

Rating: 7/10 (11 October 2006)

I've been a fan of the 4 for a long time and used to read the comics as a kid. Years ago a Rogert Corman version of this was made that I saw and it wasn't that fantastic. So I didn't have very high expectations for this movie. I caught this at the drive-in as a double feature with "War of the Worlds". Well, Fantastic Four turned out to be a pretty good action flick. Most of the actors fit their parts really well. Michael Chiklis was great as the Thing. Chris Evans and Ioan Gruffudd were perfect in their roles as Johnny Storm and Richard Reed, respectively. Jessica Alba and Julian McMahon weren't really right in their roles as Susan Storm and Victor Von Doom but they were acceptable I suppose.
Visual effects were top notch, the CGI didn't look too cheesy and there were some great scenes using them. When Johnny Storm turns into the Human Torch it really looks cool.
The story was fair and they didn't stay true to the comic. Dr. Doom is merely a genius in a suit, a lot like Iron Man, and doesn't have electrical powers like those depicted in the movie. Even though the story deviates from the comics it's acceptable enough and is entertaining. The characters though, are exactly like the comic. The constant banter between The Thing and Human Torch is dead on and Chris Evans provides much of the movie's humorous moments. Mr. Fantastic's egg headedness is so straight from the book.
Overall this is an entertaining super-hero movie that the whole family will like.