Les Jones

A&E > Movie: "Fanstastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"

(Home sick. Watching movies.)

I loved comic books as a kid, so I can't help but watch comic book adaptations. Even though I didn't much like the first Fantastic Four movie I had some hope for this one because the second movie in these franchises is often better than the first.

The basic storyline isn't bad, and involves some venerable Fantastic Four characters and plots. Sue and Reed are trying to plan a wedding while dealing with the chaos that comes with their lives as members of the Fantastic Four. Meanwhile there are mysterious sightings around the world, followed by massive craters and cosmic energy readings. The mysterious sightings are the Silver Surfer, and his arrival signals the Earth's imminent destruction.

One thing I liked about the movie was the portrayal of the media circus surrounding the heroes' lives. Part of the postmodern comic world is viewing comic book heroes as real life figures who have to live in the same world as everyone else, by the same rules, and there's no reason to think superheroes would escape media scrutiny and tabloid journalism.

Some of the scenes and dialog are obviously aimed at a teen audience. I'm a 39 year old man watching a comic book movie, so I can't complain too much about the filmmakers not targeting me, but I cringed a couple of times and eventually fast-forwarded through the dopey bachelor party scene.

The casting for the Fantastic Four movies is mostly terrible. Reed and Sue Richards are too young. Victor Von Doom should not have a high-pitched voice. Even the Silver Surfer CGI could have used a personality upgrade. Unlike the Batman and X-Men movies, there isn't a single A-list actor here.

Not recommended.