Fantastic 4 (2005) Review by Bobby LePire. Edited by Courtney McAllister.

 

When “Fantastic 4” was released in 2005, most viewers seemed to fall into two categories: the people that hated it! and the folks that thought it wasn’t that bad. There must have been more than those two though, as it was successful enough to get a sequel (but that’s for next week); although hearing people discuss it nowadays, you’d never guess that. A superhero story from the director of “Barbershop”? Yeah, that doesn’t necessarily inspire a lot of confidence. So, which crowd was right? Is there more to the film than originally thought?

 

The story is yet another origin story (at least this came out before there was such a glut of them)-
Solar winds are pushing a cosmic dust storm near Earth, the same kind that is theorized to have kickstarted life on this planet. Brilliant, but indebted, scientist Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) enlists the help of former MIT classmate, and wealthy businessman Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) to go to Doom’s space station to study the space storm. Victor agrees, and a crew is assembled to join the two- genetics researcher Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), who was Reed’s college sweetheart; her cocksure, fun loving brother, Johnny (Chris Evans), a pilot; and Reed’s best friend, astronaut Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis). An unforeseen problem means that the space station is bombarded by the rays, granting everyone various powers. Reed can stretch; Sue can turn invisible and create force fields; Johnny can turn his whole body to flame; Ben is now a giant rock monster; and Victor is slowly turning metal and can harness electricity.

 

Let’s get the flaws out of the way right off the bat. The script by Mark Frost and Michael France isn’t very good at small talk, making certain conversations feel very forced, as in the scene where Reed and Sue are on the elevator after the mission has been finalized-
 

Sue: I’ll be scheduling the launch. (handing them a business card) You can call me in the morning for resources and crew.

Reed: I think I remember the number.

Sue: It’s been changed.

or the scene where the Thing meets Alicia (Kerry Washington) in a bar, after he causes the jukebox to bounce up and skip, and then breaks a barstool:
 

Ben: If there’s a God, he hates me.

Alicia: She… is not so into hate.

Ben: If you could see me, you wouldn’t be saying that.

Alicia (getting up from her table): Then let me see you; can I?

 

It doesn’t come across as natural dialogue, it seems too quick, not like a real conversation at all. It’s as if the writers couldn’t figure out a natural way to introduce those elements, which is a crying shame. Also, the fact that most of the first act action beats are caused, more or less, by our team (however unintentional), is hard to ignore, and makes them appear accident prone at first.

 

Then there is the fact that this movie exists in a weird limbo space within superhero comic book movies- the popularity of such things as the “X-Men” movies proved that straying from the source would be tolerated by fans (when done well enough), but then “Spider-Man” showcased that staying truer would be welcomed as well (“Iron Man” wouldn’t be a thing for another three years). Because of this, the movie never quite carves out its own identity in this respect. Most of the time, the tone feels lighthearted, but then there’s everything involving Victor becoming Dr. Doom. It is so serious and more grounded than the rest of the film, it doesn’t play convincingly. He is ousted from his own company, and plans on revenge. The way it plays out feels more revenge thriller, than comic book movie. Of course, you want your villain to be a threat, so Doom killing the doctor and his old business partner works, but why make it so dark and grim, in style and lighting? Why show those things at all? Cutting away before the actual deaths, would have left the tone more consistent.

 

Next comes the little matter of the stretching effects. While I grant that when this movie first was released, I thought the effects were pretty good, time hasn’t been too kind to the CGI rendered skin textures and hair follicles on Reed’s arm, etc. It looks too shiny and plastic to be believable as skin, and he seemingly weighs nothing when he stretches, causing more issues.

 

Finally, we come to Jessica Alba’s widely derided performance as the Invisible Woman. As a genetics specialist, she seems bored, and never sounds plausible. Plus, her chemistry with Gruffudd is only so-so. Happily, she fares much better as the level headed side of the superhero team, and holds her own in the action sequences quite well (no surprise there).

 

And this leads us to the rest of the cast, all of whom do a bang-up job. Ioan Gruffudd is excellent as an exasperated man who believes everything can be reasoned and logically thought through, and his social awkwardness isn’t overplayed. He makes for a good and likeable lead. Chiklis is delightful as the put upon Grim, with some great comedic timing and lines, and his gravely voice suits the Thing perfectly. McMahon clearly relishes playing the bad guy, and his over the topness is a nice change of pace from the dialogue he is given. Kerry Washington brings a lot of heart to her small role, which helps Ben Grim’s emotional journey.

 

But, of course, the best acting in the movie comes from the one, the only, the sometimes shirtless, Chris Evans! Even the folks I know that despise this movie enjoyed him. Evans gets the ‘I am awesome and good looking and know it’ bravado, full of more confidence than should be legally allowed thing down fucking pat! He exudes such infectious enthusiasm, such a zeal for life, and not a care in the world, it is a thing of beauty. Whether he’s reacting to what to do with his powers-
 

Reed: You need to control yourself and think before you act.

Johnny: Yeah, but that’s your problem- you always think, never act. What if we got these powers for a reason? What if it’s like some higher calling?

Reed: Higher calling? Like getting girls and making money?

Johnny: Is there any higher?

 

or making fun of the Thing’s look-
 

Johnny: Where are your ears?

 

-he is nothing short of this movie’s secret weapon, and with a different actor in that role, I don’t see how this movie would be even 1/10th as much fun or enjoyable.

 

Even though I feel the writers dropped the ball in some aspects, when it comes to the dynamics of our lead four, and the familial bonds between them, they hit the nail on the head. Most of the time the focus is how they deal with their newfound powers and fame, and how that affects their friendships. This does cause the dramatic arc of the story to feel a bit small- a thing I have criticized other movies for in the past- but here, that’s actually a real positive. I wanted the focus to be on the characters, and things to be kept simple and fun; which I think this movie accomplishes really well. Whatever France and Frost’s issues with getting to know you dialogue, they are surprisingly great with peppering in exposition speeches in a way that doesn’t make it feel like exposition. Early on, when Reed and Ben meet Doom to propose their ideas, how we learn that Doom and Reed went to MIT together feels like an organic part of their interaction, and a point that would be mentioned in real life. Hell, that whole scene is a great showcase for that kind of thing. And I for one, really dig the explanation given for how/ why the suits work with their powers.

 

Director Tim Story doesn’t have much in the way of a signature style, so the movie’s look is very journeyman. With a director who had a better visual concept, I think this movie wouldn’t have so many detractors. As it stands, it does look competent, but perhaps, a little too slick, and a little too processed for the movie’s universe to be fully engrossing. But, he mixes the various special effects elements well, and keeps the pacing swift. Plus, he knew there were times to just let his actors go crazy, and have fun.

 

The editing, by William Hoy, is one of the best technical things about “Fantastic 4”. The comedic timing is great, and a lot of the visual gags payoff really well. The action beats, while frenzied (which is to be expected with all the powers on display), is easy to follow, and the geography of everything makes sense.

 

My absolute favorite thing about the movie, aside from Chris Evans, is the soundtrack and score. Composer John Ottman underscores the action nicely, with the music swelling up at epic moments to punctuate the happenings. The songs are well used throughout, and add to the sense of levity the movie has going on.

 

Look, I just want to watch movies I can have fun with; read the name of this site! Is this movie perfect? No, not at all. Is it as bad as others have stated? Absolutely not! What it is, is very fun, with enough good to outweigh the bad. Give it a rewatch, I think you’ll be surprised.