“You missed me.” —Johnny Storm
Today’s quick review: Fantastic Four. During a research mission in space, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) are bombarded with cosmic rays, altering their genetic structure and giving them fantastic powers. As the four adjust to life in the public eye, Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon), the sponsor of the experiment, undergoes a darker transformation of his own.
Fantastic Four is a superhero action comedy based on the Marvel Comics characters. The story follows four heroes as they grow accustomed to their new powers and use them to help the public. Fantastic Four is a light movie that preserves the spirit of its source material while adjusting the details to better fit the needs of the movie. Its playful sense of humor and a few well-placed action sequences make it a fun pick for the right viewer.
Much of Fantastic Four’s charm comes from its characters. The cast play off each other well, capturing the familial dynamic between Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny. Their banter, coupled with the joy of exploring their powers, gives the movie a ready source of humor. At the same time, the Four’s loyalty to each other gives the movie an optimistic tone. The result is a simple but earnest take on the superhero genre with a few nice touches.
Still, Fantastic Four has a few drawbacks compared to other superhero movies. Its action is not as lavish or as awe-inspiring as other films’, although it does suffice for the story at hand. The tone may be a little too light for some viewers, with no deeper themes and only a smattering of drama. The movie also relies heavily on its cast, so anyone who dislikes the dynamic between the Four will not get much out of it.
Fantastic Four is a modest entry into the superhero genre that gets by on character and humor rather than a grandiose plot. Superhero fans who are willing to take the movie on its own terms will find it to be a hidden gem, one with likable characters, a pure spirit, and a serviceable plot. Fans who are looking for exceptional quality should be wary, as it’s missing the clever script, pathos, and large-scale action other movies bring to the table.
For a darker take on the characters, try the remake directed by Josh Trank. For a superhero adventure with an even more playful spirit, try Shazam!. For a more iconic superhero movie from the same era, try Spider-Man.
[5.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120667/). I give it a 7.0 for fun characters and light adventure.