The Fantastic Four

Director Tim Story lives up to his surname in this blockbuster Hollywood superheroes flick as he tries to concentrate on the plot rather than the pyrotechnics that have been hounding U.S. movies of late. He tries to load the film with lots of human interest scenes depicting the dilemma a superhero faces when the one person you love turns to loathe and despise your physical appearance. Or the pressure to be famous (they're the only superheroes I know whose identity is public knowledge) without losing one's head.

Ben Grimm's (Michael Chiklis; The Shield) story is what propelled the film from becoming a formulaic Hollywood stunt. He turns into The Thing, a monstrous superhero with the strength of stopping dead on its track a rampaging ten-wheeler truck. However his hideous appearance causes his wife to fear him and she unceremoniously returns her wedding ring to him signifying her intention to leave him for good.

On the lighter side of the movie, Johnny Storm's (Chris Evans; The Perfect Score, Not Another Teen Movie) antics and wit make the audience laugh their heads off as he prides himself as The Human Torch capable of high-flying stunts and turning himself into a ball of fire. His carefree and adventurous attitude collide with his sister's sense for seriousness and responsibility in handling their newfound powers. The conflict smoothly slides into a sibling rivalry (at least in principle) reminding the audience that to be a superhero(ine) is not a walk in the park.

Meanwhile a love triangle between Mr. Fantastic Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd; Titanic, Great Expectations and Black Hawk Down) the Invisible Woman Sue Storm (Jessica Alba; Sin City, Dark Angel, Idle Hands) and the highly ambitious Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon; Nip/Tuck, Chasing) suddenly becomes too hot to handle as the latter blames Richards for masterminding his fall from grace and Storm for reneging on her "promise" to marry him. Dr. Doom unleashes his electromagnetic power and cunning intelligence against the nascent Fantastic Four as he takes down one by one people who caused his downfall annihilating the city and threatening the citizens with his awesome powers.
Will the Fantastic Four finally accept their destiny and stop him before he does much damage to anyone who crosses his path? You know the answer of course, but it's really worth watching it!

Awesome, action-packed family adventure!!!

"Fantastic!"

Directed by: Tim Story
Starring: Ioann Gruffud, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis and Julian McMahon).
Released: July 2005