Fantastic Four (Blu-ray) (2005)

"Michael Chiklis (of the cop show "The Shield") steals the movie as the agonized Thing.  Chicago Reader
"Spectacular. Astonishing. Stunning.  Chicago Tribune
"...cruises along on modest yet genuine comic-book pleasures.  Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun
"A funky, fun film version of the famous Marvel superhero concoction...  Stephen Hunter, The Washington Post
"...done with an agreeable confidence and flair, the actors all fit comfortably in their roles and the effects are fun.  William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Editor's Note In this thrill-filled live-action Marvel Comics adaptation, director Tim Story (BARBERSHOP) balances comedy, romantic intrigue, special effects, high action, and even scientific trivia for a rounded FANTASTIC FOUR. Here, Mister Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd), Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba), The Human Torch (Chris Evans), and The Thing (Michael Chiklis) come together on a space mission that goes wrong. The ship's owner (Julian McMahon)--who later transforms into evil Doctor Doom--refuses to abort the mission during a solar storm, which electrifies the ship and its entire crew, causing radical changes to their DNA. Back on earth, the transformed "heroes" adjust to their new powers, which are specific to their personalities. Mister Fantastic, who lacks assertion, has stretchy limbs of rubber. Invisible Woman, who loves Fantastic but thinks he can't see her for who she really is, does a disappearing act. The Human Torch, an immature guy who is brimming with energy, can burst into flames. And finally, The Thing, a great friend who is as solid as a rock, actually turns into one--and loses his wife due to his weighty disposition. Holing up in Fantastic's scientific lab where they run experiments on themselves in hopes of changing back to normal, the crew learns that Doctor Doom--who is so power hungry that he turns into metal and is able to conduct electrical currents--poses a serious threat. The heroes quickly master their abilities and channel their scientific smarts for one truly fantastic five-way face-off. Visually, action sequences give way to tranquil interludes such as the New York City skyline with the Fantastics' lab glowing atop a skyscraper, while plot-wise, the interplay between the characters brings a human element to the film, with some touching moments from The Thing. At the end, a door is left open for what could be a super sequel.

	Chris Evans
	Ioan Gruffudd
	Jessica Alba
	Michael Chiklis
	Avi Arad - Producer
	Bill Boes - Production Designer
	Don Macaulay - Art Director
	Jack Kirby - Based On Comic Books By
	John Ottman - Original Music By
	Mark Frost - Screenplay
	Michael France - Screenplay
	Oliver Wood - Cinematographer
	Stan Lee - Executive Producer
	Stan Lee - Based On Comic Books By
	Tim Story - Director
	William Hoy - Editor

DVD Times 7 of 10
I enjoyed it, more so than might have been suggested by the lacklustre reviews that it's generally received. I laughed, thought the set pieces were fun and, like X-Men, that did well to set up a sequel that feels as though it was agreed whilst this was still shooting...As much as these recent films were entirely welcome, particularly the Spider-Man films, it would also be welcome to have the franchises trimmed somewhat as well as to have the genre moved on. Hopefully, the forthcoming Watchmen film will nudge comic book adaptations into a new direction, where the origins of the superheroes is inconsequential to their actions in the film but, for now, Marvel are sticking to a tried-and-tested formula that's working but leaving Fantastic Four as simply another superhero movie. - Eamonn McCusker

ReelViews 7 of 10
Director Tim Story (Barbershop) fails to develop a consistent tone, and this picture seems targeted at a less mature audience than many of the recent comic book movies...Fantastic Four has its good points - there are individual scenes that work. The special effects are variable, but all four of the superheroes are rendered effectively. There's a nice sense of teamwork in the final battle, and it contains moments of surprise and excitement. Too bad that it comes too quickly and with too little build-up. Fantastic Four is frustrating because it doesn't seem far removed from a wholly enjoyable motion picture, but the tempo's off, beats are missed, and the production ends up sounding out-of-tune. - James Berardinelli