Fantastic Four

"I think there is no reason to condemn the family-adventure adaptation of the family-adventure comic for being exactly like its predecessor. The lack of action is noticeable, though if this flaw were to be addressed in the sequel, as well as Jessica Alba's clumsiness, I might actually start looking forward to it." (03/29/2007)

Very unaccomplished filmmaking that, with its dullness and clichés, hits you right in the eye. Yet it was a relative hit, how is that possible? Things happen in Hollywood, you know. I can't compare the film with the source material, but the characters were sketched quite decently and the whirlwind of good visual effects occasionally settles one down nicely (these ingredients evidently have too strong an effect on the American audience). However, the whole thing is quite cynical and insanely predictable. (12/03/2005)

So neither for the second time - or already for the third time? - did this movie get under my skin, and it only shows how weak some comic book movies can be. The basic plot is simple, unnecessary scenes that are only long and boring are addressed here, they have no place in the story. The cast is not so bad, but this is a legendary Marvel team that I personally really like. I hope the new version will be better. (03/24/2014)

The disastrous screenplay is offset by the well-cast and well-played characters. It is necessary to rate this movie in the context of dumb commercial Hollywood flicks such as Van Helsing and not in the context of intelligent comic-book movies like X-Men 2. In other words, it’s entertaining rubbish whose stupidity is overcome by its naïve likability. It’s more entertaining and more endearing than Baywatch, but it’s main asset for male viewers is the honey-skinned professional non-actress Jessica Alba. (08/24/2005)

The film has a plot that is foolishly muddled, made even worse by the leftist directorial treatment. The insensitive editing creates one logical gap after another, and the whole thing is held together solely by the force of opulent visual presentation, which must have consumed most of the hundred-million-dollar budget. However, even the spectacular special effects sequences, which undeniably include Oliver Wood's excellent camera work, cannot deny their own self-indulgence. The content aspect is incredibly empty, and the comedic elements could have given way to at least a hint of psychological background for the individual characters. Among them, the most captivating is the stoic Ben, portrayed by the excellent Michael Chiklis, who (if he appeared in a better film) could rival Ron Perlman's Hellboy, as the combination of classic latex and acting charisma is the only reason why this otherwise terrible Fantastic Four movie is worth watching. (09/27/2005)