Fantastic Four

Plot synopsis:
Physicist Reed Richards is convinced evolution was triggered millions of years ago on Earth by clouds of cosmic energy in space and has calculated that one of these clouds is soon going to pass near Earth. Together with his friend, astronaut Ben Grimm, Reed convinces Victor Von Doom, his former classmate at MIT and now CEO of Von Doom Industries, to allow him access to his privately held space station to test the effects of a biological sample of exposure to the cloud. Doom agrees in exchange for control over the experiment and a majority of the profits from whatever benefits it brings. Reed brings aboard his ex-girlfriend and Von Doom's chief genetics researcher Sue Storm and her ex-astronaut younger brother Johnny Storm.
The quintet travels to outer space to observe the cosmic energy clouds, but Reed miscalculates and the clouds materialize ahead of schedule. Reed and the Storms leave the shielded station to rescue Grimm, who had gone on a spacewalk to place the samples. Grimm receives full exposure in outer space, while the others receive a more limited dose within the station. Back home they soon develop superpowers: Reed can stretch his body like rubber, Susan can become invisible and generate force shields, Johnny Storm can engulf himself in fire and fly unaided, and Grimm becomes a rock-like creature with superhuman strength and durability. Meanwhile, Von Doom faces a backlash from his stockholders because of the publicity from the space mission, and has a scar on his face that came from an exploding control console on the station.
Grimm's fiancee Debbie cannot handle his new appearance and leaves him. Grimm goes to brood on the Brooklyn Bridge and accidentally causes a traffic pileup while preventing a man from committing suicide. Grimm, Reed and the Storms use their various abilities to contain the damage and prevent harm. The media dubs them the Fantastic Four. They move into Reed's lab in the Baxter Building to study their abilities and seek a way to return Grimm to normal. Von Doom, himself mutating, offers his support but blames Reed for the failure of the spaceflight, which has lost him his company's hope for an IPO.
Reed tells the group he will construct a machine to recreate the storm and reverse its effects on them, but warns it could possibly accelerate them instead. Meanwhile, Von Doom's arm has become organic metal, giving him superhuman strength allowing him to produce bolts of electricity, and he begins plotting revenge. He drives a wedge between Grimm and Reed, who has rekindled his relationship with Susan Storm. Using the machine, Von Doom restores Grimm to human form, while accelerating Von Doom's condition, causing much of his body to turn to metal. Von Doom knocks the human Grimm unconscious and captures Reed.
Now calling himself Doctor Doom, he puts on a metallic mask and a cloak to hide his disfigurement, Doom then tortures Reed and fires a heatseeking missile at the Baxter Building in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat Johnny. Sue confronts Doom but is outmatched. Grimm arrives to assist her, transformed into the Thing again by reusing the machine. The battle then spills into the streets, and the Storms combine their powers to wrap Doom in an inferno of intense heat, while Grimm and Reed douse him with cold water, inducing thermal shock and freezing Doom in place. Grimm informs Reed that he has accepted his condition with the help of Alicia Masters, a blind artist for whom he has developed feelings, and the team embraces its role as superheroes. Reed proposes marriage to Sue, who accepts. Meanwhile, Doom's statue-like remains are being transported back to his homeland of Latveria when the dock master's electronic manifest briefly undergoes electromagnetic interference, suggesting that Doom is still alive.

Tags: entertaining, action, murder, boring, fantasy

Review:
Fantastic Four reminds of the quirkiness superhero films were once predicated upon, and while it may get a bit too corny at times, and its focus can never really settle, it's also a very commercial film that satisfies on some level of entertainment when it gives every card in its deck a fair time to shine.We open by looking at a physicist named Dr. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), who is convinced evolution was triggered millions of years ago by stray elements of cosmic energy in space, some of which will pass near Earth very soon.
While Doom agrees, he winds up walking away with most of the profits that this experiment will bring, affirming Reed's desperation to make his project work.Still, he persists on and brings his close friends Susan Storm (Jessica Alba) and her brother Johnny (Chris Evans) along for the ride.
However, when a trip to outer space goes awry, exposure with the cosmic energy results in the four receiving deformities and enhanced human abilities that have never before been seen: Reed possesses the ability to stretch every limb of his body, Susan has the ability to disappear and reappear at her leisure, Johnny can have his body engulfed in flame simply by reciting the phrase "Flame on!," and Ben turns into a hideous, orange rock monster.Following the four's mutations, writers Michael France and Mark Frost focus a great deal of their time on the agony that these mutations bring, particularly The Thing, who experiences his wife leaving him shortly after revealing his deformity.
Reed and Ben, who are ultimately the film's main focus, wind up monopolizing too much of the picture, and any time we see Johnny is when he's right in the middle of making a smug comment or being his typical, womanizing self.The action in Fantastic Four has a colorful commercial look to it, brilliantly bold and very vibrant in a way that makes many of the scenes pop with life.
One particularly involving scene takes place on a suspension bridge, where The Thing is seen pummeling everything in his sight and the remaining three members of the team must resort to either relaxing him or protecting drivers and innocent bystanders.The goofiness in Fantastic Four, however, in an age of dark superhero films that come with slick aesthetics and brooding characters, is a delightful change of pace.
Yes, there is a point when one wishes director Tim Story, France, and Frost would command a tighter grip on the seriousness of the writing, but the pulpy fun of Fantastic Four, in addition to the effects and the neatly choreographed action, keep it a moving, satisfying spectacle that is more than just colors flying around on screen, trying to find their place.Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, and Julian McMahon.
Sure, The Thing looks a bit hokey in what is clearly a rubberized suit of some sort, and I think they surely could have found an actor that looked more like Reed Richards from the comics than Ioan Gruffudd (that's quite the name, by the way!).
During a failed experiment in space, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue and Johnny Storm (Jessica Alba and Chris Evans), Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) and Dr. Victor Von Doom are bombarded by cosmic rays, changing their molecular systems and giving them superpowers.
Of course it's not as good as X-Men 2 or Spider-Man (the original, with Tobey Maguire), but it's good for what it aims to be: a sci-fi/action movie about comic book characters.
There's no real plot to the film, or even a story beyond "Nasty self absorbed un-credible astronauts become nasty self absorbed un-credible 'super' heroes, then argue with each other for a while, take their clothes off for no reason, then beat up some poor disfigured guy apparently because he didn't join their little gang, roll credits." Direction and cinematography was Filmschool #101, the score was instantly forgettable, and the editing was appalling, with the pacing in particular being random and rushed.The effects were only what we've come to expect from a hundred million dollar movie, which brings me to the big question: what on earth did they spend all that money on?
i predict the fantastic four will become the all time favorite comic book movie series outdoing superman,batman,x-men and even spiderman.
The crew consists of Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), Reed Richards, (Ioan Gruffudd), Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) & Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon).
After making movies for their other comic book titles like Spiderman, The X-Men, the Hulk, Daredevil, among others, Marvel Comics goes about and makes a film about the characters that started it all for the Marvel Universe, The Fantastic Four.
Yes Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm , and Ben Grimm are brought to life in a feature film that will give them the respect and studio money that the marvel title that was billed "The World's Greatest Comic Book Magazine" deserves.
Gruffred ,no matter how one looks at it, isn't Reed Richards.His chemistry with everyone in the movie is readily not apparent.I know many studio executives may have thought that making Jessica Alba as Sue Storm would bring in a lot of publicity for the film and it may have.
Having Jessica Alba playing a scientist is a bit of a stretch that not even Reed Richards with his powers could reach.Johnny Storm in the comics was a teenager so it is hard to believe Chris Evans was to play Sue's younger brother.
Marvel Comics could have found a better producer for this film than Story.Whereas Marvel hit two home runs with Spiderman and the X-Men, with the Fantastic Four, Marvel gets a single but gets thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.
The studio have obviously looked at Spiderman, Hulk, X-men and Daredevil, and despite the varying degrees of popularity there, I think it was wise of them to make this a much lighter jaunt.This film is pure undemanding entertainment, it has nothing more on its mind than "lets have some fun", and dark superhero movies are getting to be a bit of a pill.
This adaptation from famous comic begins with an experimental space journey financed by Victor Van Doom(Julian McMahon).The spaceflight crew,included Victor Doom, is constituted by team leader scientific named Reed Richards(Ioan Gruffud),the pilot named Ben Grimm(Michael Chiklis),Sue Storm(Jessica Alba)and his brother Johnny Storm(Chris Evans).But the starship is bombarded by cosmic rays and they find themselves turning into fantastic Super-heroes.
Mr. Fantastastic,leader of the group gains the ability to stretch his body to any shape;Sue Storm gains the ability to become invisible girl and projects telekinetic fields ;Johnny Storm as the human torch creates a flying blazing ball and with ability to control the fire ; and Ben Grimm is turned into super-strong rock hunk known as Thing.Then Ben is rejected by his bride(Laurie Holden)although he gets a new blind girlfriend named Alicia Masters(Kerry Washington).The Fantastic Four become into team of Super-heroes and use their supernatural powers to battle the nasty enemy,Doctor Doom.The incredible quartet taking on the threats to the world with their extraordinary force.The movie blends action comic,humor,romance,spectacular adventures and is pretty entertaining and funny.The picture is marvellously realized with sensational production values and ideal casting formed by agreeable young men actors.Amazing array of technical special effects with rousing action set pieces action illuminate the full-blown feats Fantastic four.The final duel between the protagonists and villain super-hero is breathtaking and exciting.Although have given bad reviews to this film ,I think that is amusing with spectacular scenes during whole the movie.The plot is pure fun just like the original comics by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee(appears in a cameo).The motion picture is rightly directed by Tim Story(Barbershop,Taxi),he's making the second part titled¨Rise of the Silver Surfer(Doug Jones)¨with the same players.Indispensable and essential seeing for Super-heroes fans..
So, it's clear that I have NO loyalty to Fox. Next, I saw Fantastic Four a few days ago at the AMC Empire in NY and loved every minute of it.It appears that the director must have done his homework because this movie captures the books I remember reading about the FF as a kid in every way.
Perhaps the actors simply did the best they could with what they had to work with, because the characters are uninteresting, unsympathetic and, at times, flat-out annoying (especially Chris Evans' hotshot thrill-seeking "Human Torch").The only thing worse than the pace, the characterizations and the performances was the writing.
Reed Richards becomes Mr. Fantastic, and can make his body stretch like rubber, Susan Storm becomes the invisible woman, who can turn invisible and can create shields, Ben Grimm becomes The Thing, a superhuman of enormous size with incredible strength, and Johnny Storm becomes The Human Shield who can "flame on" at any time and fly!
Jessica Alba as The Invisible Woman; Ioan Gruffudd as Mr. Fantastic; Michael Chiklis as The Thing and Chris Evans as The Human Torch.
I just wish that those idiots that made Batman Begins the dull waste of film that it is would've had a chance to study a movie like this before churning out their absurd effort at a sequel/prequel/relaunch.The Fantastic Four is near perfect on every level.
Acting was good, special effects are great, story is pretty good overall for being a movie based on the first comic book that i ever received I loved this movie.
If you like quality film making and coherent movies with believable characters and an interesting plot, look elsewhere.The dialogue and the characters are so cheesy I literally had a hard time trying to stay in the room while this movie played.
The effects are mediocre, but the character interactions and dialogue really take away from any possible impressiveness of those effects that are well done.I never read any of the comic books, but I don't think it's fair saying that you have to be a fan of the comics to enjoy the movie.
I don't know why people like it at all, unless of course they are younger than the average moviegoer.As a summary, if you're looking for a good action/super hero movie, watch the second Spider-Man movie or the first two X-men movies, those are at least entertaining and well done..
People loved the movie, and I guess they responded like me: I feel jaded by watching the overblown 'special effects' of computer-generated armies of millions (a la the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, where it's obvious that nothing is real).
I'm equally tired of movies like Batman, where the tone and atmosphere is so dark or distorted that you can't tell what is happening or where it takes place.I think the reason most people are staying away from movies this summer is because they are tired of un-believable characters and of movies that hide their lack of a good plot line with increasingly silly and extravagant special effects, gratuitous violence and sex.
Director Tim Story is handicapped with a pretty weak cast, although Julian McMahon ("Charmed", "Nip/Tuck") does a decent job as Victor Von Doom and Michael Chiklis ("The Shield" and a memorable "Seinfeld") is very good as Ben Grimm/The Thing.
Chris Evans seems to have fun with the most energetic role of Johnny Storm but there is just not enough for him to do.Special Effects in this one are pretty decent, but the movie watches as if we are reading a comic book.
The film starts out when Reed Richards(Ioan Grufford) and his nice but quick tempered friend Ben Grimm(Michael Chiklis) make a plan to go up in space, with his billionaire old friend Victor Von Doom(Juilan McMahon), and scientist, and Reeds ex-girlfriend Sue Richards(Jessica Alba) and her hotheaded younger brother Johnny(Chris Evans) come along for the ride.
First of all there are apparently people here who are determined to make this movie look bad without even seeing it and then there are those who are saying it is the best film of the year.
Reed Richards is Mr Fantastic, Sue Storm/Richards is The Invisible Girl, her brother Johnny Storm is The Human Torch, and Richard's best friend / one time Sue's ex is Ben Grimm, aka The Thing.This is not the first time that the origin has been recreated in film (the first one being a desperate attempt to secure movie rights, and is a tacky B-production), but this is the version that's done so right.And I dare say this is the BEST Marvel comic book adaptation ever, staying very true to its characterization just as Stan Lee envisioned it to be.
What I also liked is that this film takes its time to develop their arch-nemesis Victor Von Doom, as his transformation takes place throughout the movie until the finale.Compared to Spider-man, there isn't a sappy romance to slow things down (and Mary J Watson was never Peter Parker's first!), nor are there too many heroes and villains like X-Men such that each character has limited screen time because of the focus on its most popular character Wolverine.
Maybe it is suppose to be a fun comic book film, but that would never work if the individual viewer can't look past the campy acting.Some people make an excuse for the writing.
My husband and I went to see this today,and I was very happily surprised.I have really liked some of the superhero movies,and haven't liked some,but I really enjoyed this one.It has action,love interest,comedy,everything you could want.I was a big F4 fan as a kid,and I found out today that I still love them.Sue Storm has 2 terrific abilities,and Jessica Alba did her credit.Chris Evans had waaaay too much fun playing Johnny Storm.The others did as good a job as they did.It's so nice watching "good guys" enjoy being good(Johnny),and I really enjoyed the "bad guy" being bad!!
The graphics were good,the story was good,the acting was terrific.I will buy the DVD,but I think it will lose something on the small screen.Even the music was terrific.My husband and I were on the edge of our seats.Even though we pretty much figured out everything,it was still fun to watch.I noticed they left it open for a sequel.I will definitely be there to see it.I just hope the same people are in it,as they had great chemistry,and a good camaraderie.This movie is A++ in my book..
"ah, now the films going to start!" But all that happened was more mediocre dialog from basic cable actors, keeping the pot boiling with a little not very impressive F/X, and even less impressive drama, in a film that I suspect was made by people who were uncomfortable to be making a comic book movie in the first place.A fantastic four minutes at the end, the rest, in my opinion just dull..
Granted Julian McMahon is a television actor and rarely makes it to the big screen, he still gave a great effort, and, in my opinion, truly brought forth the true Dr. Doom from the comics: a friend to Reed Richards, a lover to Ms. Storm, and an untrusted foe by the two other characters.
Fantastic 4 is the second best comic book movie from marvel..
Micheal actually makes you feel for the guy, which in an action packed movie like this, is a very rare and hard thing to do.Julian McMahon....(Dr Victor Van Doom) Well, i don't really think you'll see a better actor play the hardest bad guy anywhere, ever.
I've heard people say the following: "Oh, dude, in the spectrum of the most recent philosophical comic books films, this movie strives to be a contender against Batman Begins or the brilliantly crafted Spider-Man." I exaggerated a bit there, but you know this is what a bunch of people say in order to act like they don't enjoy relentless bad-ass action.
Michael Chiklis is cool as The Thing, Iaon Gruffudd's character isn't really cool, Chris Evans is cool as the Human Torch, and Julian McMahon is bad-ass as Dr. Doom.The movie is loaded with CG.
Are you the die hard comic book fan, or the passive movie goer that enjoys action/adventure films?
A few bits of cliché and hammy dialog didn't really make me enjoy it less, because, well, most comic book stories have them.FF felt like it was a set up for the sequel, getting character origins out of the way.
It was one of the best comic book movies I have seen along with Spider-Man and Batman.
I've never been a fan of the fantastic four but still i think this film goes to show that you can't write movie characters as thin as comic book characters.
I saw F4 last week with my husband, who is *ahem* a tad older than I am, and was a big Fantastic Four fan growing up.I went into this movie knowing nothing of the stories, as the only comic books I bought when I was growing up were of the "Betty & Veronica" variety.We both loved this film, and yes, we've both seen the "X-Men" and "X2" along with whatever else it is everyone is comparing this movie to & complaining about.When I read some of these user comments I get the feeling Tim Story & Stan Lee (et al) must have missed a payment to a few "Whoever-It-Is-This-Week & Ebert" wanna-bes.Michael Chiklis will break your heart (when he's not making you laugh), Jessica Alba really can act and Chris Evans IS Johnny Storm - see it..
I may be a bit biased seeing as I am a long time comic book fan, but let me tell you that everyone I saw the movie with (7 of my friends) thought it was a kick ass film.
It was fun to watch, had some of the best special effects I have ever seen, and the characters were right on the money like their comic counterparts.
Great effects make Fantastic Four an enjoyable movie for fans of the comic book, children, and adults as well.