Fantastic Four
Review by Clint Morris
"It's funny how things turn out isn't it?" utters
one of the film's central characters early on.
Indeed, he's right.
The film version of one of Marvel Comics' earliest and most
well-known brands has had quite the pre-spooled life.
In 1994, B-movie director Roger Corman bought the comic to
life in a film version of "Fantastic Four" but unbeknown
to the cast and crew, the movie was never intended to be released,
and was made only because the studio who owned the rights
to make a film based on the comic would have lost the rights
if they did not begin production by a certain date.
Now, several years down the track, they're utilising those
rights and spending $140 million on making sure they're used
properly. The kicker? Two tries later and we've got something
that's nowhere near fantastic - merely 'not bad'.
Granted, audiences have been so spoilt of late with their
comic-inspired films, so this was always going to disappoint.
From Spider-Man 2 to Sin City and notably,
Batman Begins, the films are starting take on an almost
award-worthy epic feel, and as a result, anything that's not
as beefy, not as well-written or not chock-a-block with scrupulously
staged action sequences was always going to dissatisfy in
contrast.
Though it does have its problems, this was always going to
be a lighter, fluffier, less-serious bit of ink-cum-celluloid.
Its central characters may exist in the same world as both
Spider-Man and Daredevil (regularly making appearances
in each others comics), but the Fantastic Four's neighbouring
pals are a lot more solemn and multifarious than this stubby
of superhero-lite.
Based on the long-running comic series created by Stan Lee
(who gets his obligatory cameo here - as he has in nearly
every other Marvel movie) and Jack Kirby in 1961, Fantastic
Four tells of a troupe of five scientists - one being
slimy billionaire Victor Von Doom - who have a run-in with
a radioactive cloud while in deep space.
When they return to Earth, all discover they've been blessed,
or cursed, with new powers. Susan Storm (Jessica Alba) can
turn invisible anytime she likes, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd)
can stretch himself, Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) can turn into
a flaming fireball, and Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), well,
he's the worst off: being permanently malformed into an outsized
orange-coloured Hulk-like creature.
Typical of the stable villain, Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon)
decides he's going to use his new power of being able to be
one with metal, for evil - seeing his new gift as a chance
to do battle with his long-time antagonist Reed, and his troupe
of mutant pals.
Because emphasis here seems to be more on laughs than action
- though there is a bit of that - that might explain why Fantastic
Four is slightly lacking. The script seems to be all over-the-place.
It's a surprise that the story's not so watertight as the
film's director is Tim Story, who helmed that wonderful story
Barbershop, a film that was little more than loveable,
well-detailed characters and level-headed narrative.
In addition, Mark Frost, who wrote some of that unforgettable
stuff on TV's "Twin Peaks", is credited as one of
the writers. But with Fantastic Four it seems they've
gone with what seems to be the leftover template of a failed
TV pilot to open the movie, and only ditches it halfway through,
once action starts to take precedence over an awful lot of
exposition - and the creative team have realised they've got
to actually 'try'.
On a more positive note, and surprisingly the one thing I
was a little sceptical about going in, some bravura performers
have aptly filled the roles. The hotter-than-a-sandwich-grill
Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, and Chris Evans are all right
at home in the roles of Susan, Reed and Johnny respectively.
However
- and comic fans will be up in arms over it, no doubt - some
of the characters are significantly younger than they were
in the comics, whilst Michael Chiklis (TV's "The Shield")
is a revelation as Ben Grimm, the chap most affected by the
transformation. Unlike The Hulk, when the guy transforms he's
in a rubber suit - not simply CGI - and as a result we get
to hear the guy's voice underneath the bulk, and notably,
give more of a damn about the character. Chiklis was born
to play the role.
Australia's Julian McMahon is sufficiently sinister as Victor
Von Doom, but there's not much to his role, so although it
seems like a pretty plum part for the TV star, he's not going
to be remembered for it. McMahon's probably not without blame
- he's rather sheepish in the role, not giving us anything
to remember, or to relish.
Fantastic Four is getting a bit of a beating from
those-in-the-know right now, but I'm not going to hitch a
ride on the same ferry. It's second-rate, sure, it's in calamitous
need of a prune and a polish, sure, and it could've undeniably
done with a couple more 'wow' scenes, but at the end of the
day it's still a fun, fast and fantastically performed movie,
and a pretty good interpretation of the comic. But most of
all, Michael Chiklis' "The Thing" is a must - he
really gives The Hulk a clobbering.
Not as strong as the real thing, but Diet Superhero will
still fill your spot.
3 out of 5
Fantastic Four
Australian release: Thursday the 7th of July, 2005
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris
Evans, Julian McMahon, Hamish Linklater, Kerry Washington,
Laurie Holden.
Directors: Tim Story.
Website: Click
here.
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