Fantastic Four (Widescreen-Dts) (2005)

"Spectacular. Astonishing. Stunning.  Chicago Tribune

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, et. al. - Producer
	Bill Boes - Production Designer
	Mark Frost, et. al. - Writer
	Michael Barnathan - Executive Producer
	Miri Ben-Ari, et. al. - Original Music By
	Oliver Wood - Cinematographer
	Stan Lee, et. al. - Created By
	Tim Story - Director
	William Hoy - Editor

James Berardinelli's ReelViews 6 of 10
Roughly 25 years ago, when I was going through my "comic book phase," Fantastic Four was one of three titles I regularly purchased. Although it has been more than two decades since I visited the superhero quartet, the characters I remember are captured with superficial faithfulness like it was cobbled together from pieces of other comic book-inspired motion pictures. The Four never get a chance to shine - at least not in the way that another Marvel superhero ensemble (the X-Men) did. Fantastic Four fans have a right to feel shortchanged. This movie is more like a B-grade comic book adaptation than the A-list production it should have been. - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun-Times 2 of 10
The Fantastic Four are, in short, underwhelming. The edges kind of blur between them and other superhero teams. That's understandable. How many people could pass a test right now on who the X-Men are and what their powers are? Or would want to? I wasn't watching The Fantastic Four to study it, but to be entertained by it, but how could I be amazed by a movie that makes its own characters so indifferent about themselves? - Roger Ebert