Customer Reviews
I enjoyed it! 
2008-09-04
I'm actually a humongous fan of Marvel Comics Fantastic Four. From owning a large collection of the comic books to toy hunting for the hard-to-get Invisible Woman action figures.
But I kept myself away from any coverage, hype regarding the film, so I can enjoy it to the nth degree.
I have to admit that I felt a bit cautious because although the Fantastic Four have been a staple of Marvel Comics history, it's not the in your face action such as X-Men and even Spider-Man.
It's one of those series that has to grow on you and you learn to enjoy the characters.
So, I imagined that like the first X-Men movie where they had to go through an introduction, the same would have to be done with the first Fantastic Four movie.
Sure, there will be a lot of action but at the same time, you need to know how the characters are.
Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) is not your typical lead man. He's highly intelligent, detached from society somewhat and can be a cold fish.
Johnny Storm (Human Torch) is the hothead. Playboy and always seems to get himself into something dangerous.
Ben Grimm, the man who deals with being the rocky behemoth known as the Thing.
And Sue Storm, the woman who loves Reed but somehow tries to find ways to get close to him (despite him being a cold and dull fish at times).
So, needless to say...our heroes have their problems and for some who are looking for the charismatic action hero, they are superheroes but they aren't perfect.
I happened to enjoy the film. The pacing was a bit off at times but nevertheless, I enjoyed it and optomistic that the second movie can now be fast-paced and hard hitting.
The DVD for Fantastic Four was very enjoyable with really cool. The DVD is offered in two versions (widescreen and fullscreen) and audio quality is offered in 5.1 DTS (which sounds really awesome on my home theater).
The special features for this DVD doesn't disappoint either as it feature full length audio commentary by the stars of the film, a video diary featuring the stars on their media tour for the film - which was very exciting by the way. Deleted scenes, making of featurette, casting session, making a scene, music videos, theatrical teaser and trailer and also an inside look for the third X-Men film (which unusually got the top listing for the special features).
Not everyone is going to enjoy the Fantastic Four film. Even the comic book is not for everyone but those who stick with it learn to enjoy the characters for what they are.
If I had any problem, many of us who are faithful to FF, knows that Dr. Doom doesn't go down that easily. Otherwise Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis and Julian McMahon do a great job portraying the characters.
Again, this is just the introductory film. Hopefully with the second film, things get even better. As for the DVD, it's fantastic.
Pretty Good. 2008-09-02
Good Movie. Chickless is great as the Thing. AND Jessica is always easy on the Eyes.
Soulless and generic superhero romp 
2008-08-29
Of all the superhero movie adaptations released in the last several years, there is one in particular that stands out to me simply because it is so unremarkable. That film is 2005's adaptation of "The Fantastic 4." The characters are one dimensional, and the plot is paper thin. I can sum it up as this: 5 scientists go into space and come back with super powers. Four of them decide to become superheroes, and one decides to become a super villain. And then, they fight. That's it. It doesn't even attempt to understand why four people, upon receiving these powers decide they should be super heroes. They do it because that's what people with super powers do, and of course they have a closet full of pre-made superhero costumes that were conveniently written into the plot as being "next generation astronaut suits." Yeah, ruddy brilliant guys.
There is a sub plot in there about Ben Grim being unhappy with his monstrous new appearance as "The Thing," but the way the writers chose to resolve it ultimately feels ridiculous. Also, Dr. Doom, who is one of the most prolific recurring villains in the entire Marvel universe, is completely neutered in this movie. Comparing this Dr. Doom to his comic book counterpart is like comparing Chad Vader to his big brother Darth. The movie was obviously made in a boardroom of Fox executives trying to figure out how to get as many teenage boys into the theater as possible, because it is also chock full of frivilous extreme sports footage, special effects shots, and meticulously airbrushed women.
The only good thing I can say about this movie was that it looked good on Blu-Ray, at a time when I barely had anything to watch in HD. If you're looking for a movie to demo your new home theater with though, there are dozens of movies that look just as good if not better in HD, that aren't textbook examples of what happens when movies get made in by business men.
SOLID ONE STAR! 
2008-08-29
Interesting special effects. Tolerable to watch but certainly NOT a good movie. The sequel in one of the worst movies I have seen this year. Please end this franchise.
It's Clobbering Time ! 
2008-08-15
"Fantastic Four" hit the big screens in 2005, and is based on the Marvel comic book.
Reed Richards is, quite possibly, the most gifted scientist to ever have graduated from MIT. Currently researching the human genome, he believes the evolutionary process on Earth may have been triggered a cosmic storm. Luckily, precisely the type of cloud Richards has factored into his work will soon pass close to Earth's orbit. However, to continue his work, he needs help - specifically financial aid and a trip into space. Together with his sidekick, astronaut Ben Grimm, Richards pays a visit to Dr. Victor von Doom - not only an ex-classmate, but also a well-heeled native of Latveria. Where Richards is struggling financially, things are going a little better for von Doom - he is now the head of his own business and has his own very well-shielded space station.
Von Doom agrees to fund the experiment and grants the pair access to the space station - however, the deal is not without its conditions. Victor will take the lion's share of any future profits and his Director of Genetic Research, Susan Storm will also be brought on-board. (Ms. Storm also happens to be Reed's ex-girlfriend, though exactly what she ever saw in him is never made clear). Ben had hoped to pilot the shuttle to the space station. Unfortunately, Sue's brother, Johnny, is the company's resident pilot and will be commanding the flight. (Johnny is something of a loose cannon who was thrown out of NASA).
The five travel to the space station together - only to be caught out by the cosmic storm, which arrives ahead of schedule. Ben takes the biggest hit the storm can offer, having been on a spacewalk at the time. Reed, Susan and Johnny were inside, though they had been trying to rescue Ben and weren't protected by the station's strongest shielding. Victor, like a true villain, made sure that he was in the safest part of the station. All five survive - though Reed seems to have been right about the storm's effect on the evolutionary process. Everyone on-board develops new abilities - Reed becomes able to bend and stretch like rubber, Susan can become invisible while Johnny can become a human of living fire, rather than flesh and blood. However, all three can switch their powers on and off and there's no change to their outward appearance. Ben, on the other hand, can't : he has evolved into a creature made of rock. Despite the superhuman strength, it's not something he's terribly pleased about. (Neither is his fiancée - who doesn't take long in returning the ring). However, there are bigger problems ahead - specifically Doom and his newly acquired powers.
I found the movie pretty ordinary overall - there wasn't much of a storyline beyond 'this is how we got our powers'. (The point of the film, I'm guessing, was solely to set things up for the planned sequels). I can't say I was too fond of either Reed (limp, dreary and let's face it : he has the world's worst super-power) or Johnny (irritating brat). If it had been the Fantastic Two, I'd have been cheering for Doctor Doom - Julian McMahon does a pretty good job with that role. However, Ben Grimm proves to be a likeable character and - since there's a shot of Jessica Alba in her underwear - I'll give the film my unreserved recommendation.
Not So Fantastic 2008-08-08
Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis head a sexy, star-powered cast in this explosive adventure about a quartet of flawed, ordinary human beings who suddenly find themselves with extraordinary abilities.
After exposure to cosmic radiation, four astronauts become the most remarkable, if dysfunctional, superheroes of all time. Unfortunately, the mission's sponsor has also been transformed ? into the world's most lethal supervillain ? setting the stage for a confrontation of epic proportions. Packed with nonstop action, big laughs and awesome special effects, Fantastic 4 is "powerful fun" (The Baltimore Sun) from start to finish!
One of the worst Marvel films! 2008-07-20
There is clearly a reason it took me so long to watch this. I wanted to see it in the theater, but something did not allow me to go. I wanted to get the DVD, but I could not do it. I got the BD because I got it at a decent rice. After watching it, I walked away with a bad feeling...
My rule on movies is simple. If it is 90 minutes, it is bound to suck. It means that no one took the time to write a deep and detailed story, let alone do anything else. 9 times out of 10 this holds to be true. If a film is an hour and 45 minutes, it is usually decent with a little more time for a complete story and thought out scenes. Again, this holds true 9 times out of ten. If a film is 1 hour and 50 minutes or better, it is usually a masterpiece as you can tell that time was given to tell a story and everything else involved. It shows that it has substance. I don't have to tell you that the beloved films of all time are at least 2 hours long and the worst are 1 and a half hours or less!
This one is on the level of Elektra and Cat Woman - maybe a little better. The look was ok, but Sue, Doom and Reed were wrongly cast and I still cannot understand how Alba is playing a white character! Johnny and Ben were cast well enough. The story should have been deeper, but maybe before filming began they knew that it was going to be short. I believe that some directors who never read comicbooks don't take the approach to these films seriously.
Now, the special effects were cheesy and unbelievable in most cases. Alba looked like a child and not white as Sue is in the comics. Reed looked like a C list actor and I believe he is the same guy who played in the prototype FF4 movie. The actor who played Doom was horrible and had no type of feeling.
The writing and/or budget caused a problem with the story. They get powers, discover them and then they already have them mastered? Doom starts to change and then for NO REASON at all, he dons a clasic Dr. Doom mask and uniform without any reason given for the mask to exist and for him to have put it on other than the fact that the character wheres it! He just gets the uniform out of no where and puts it on for what reason? His face did not even come close to the hideous looks of the comic for him to even think about covering it up.
The writing is EVERYTHING is a movie. When that is bad, NOTHING can save a movie - NOTHING. This is only good if you are a Marvel fan. Now I am off to watch part two. If that is more fo the same, then maybe The Punisher and The Hulk are not the only other films who need a complete overhaul...
These actors suck! 2008-06-11
I've watched the Fantastic Four cartoons and always found their charismatic witty personalities and their dialogues very entertaining. However, the actors in the movie just don't have that edge to them, they seem like second rate actors, like they had to lower the costs or something for Jessica Alba to be in the movie. I mean, they are supposed to be SUPERHEROES! Not medicore schmucks who just happen to have superpowers! Very disappointed in the acting, which I find destroys the movie, put in all the special effects that you want, point of the matter is, you need actors that have to know who their character is that they are playing.
Extended Cut makes the movie truly FANTASTIC! 2008-06-11
Much like the Daredevil Director's Cut, the Extended cut of F4 is the only way to watch the movie, the theatrical release pales in comparison.
While the movie itself is much too focused on the comedic aspects and sight gags in either format, with the extended cut you at least feel like you are getting more for your money.
The major addition to the film is the Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters romance subplot that is just glossed over in the original cut. Included is a wonderful scene in Alicia's studio where you actually see the romance begin and a real relationship form. As well as a scene at an Art Show where Ben is embarassed for Alicia to be seen with him and leaves.
The other footage is mostly of Dr. Doom dealing with his transformation, spying on the F4 and meeting with every member other than Reed trying to convince them that Reed doesn't care about them.
I highly suggest replacing any theatrical cut copies of the DVD with the extended cut, you won't be disappointed.
An Ok Show 2008-05-29
As a fan of the comics for years I was excited to see the adaptation to the big screen of many of my childhood heroes. This film is long on special effects and has a lot of fun action. But it lacks the story and acting that have made the early Spider Man and X-Men films fun to watch. It is still worth seeing, but it could have been much better.
