Before you read this review, I want you to do one thing. Either watch (less likely) or think about (more likely) the original Superman movie. If you really give some thought to that movie you’ll realize that it was nothing like today’s superhero movies.
Today’s movies are spectacles that try to take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion while showing you too many special effects aimed at overloading your senses into believing that it’s the best movie ever. It’s a worthwhile practice because it works — even on me.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is not one of these movies. It doesn’t try to be. It doesn’t want to be. It just isn’t. In a lot of ways it’s actually very old school. It represents what superhero movies used to be.
Sure it has today’s special effects. The Silver Surfer is quite impressive, Johnny’s fire is nice, and Thing is as realistic as a rock guy could be. The only special effects blunder in the movie is the problems they seem to have making Mr. Fantastic look realistic and rubbery at the same time.
What it doesn’t have is the gravity of the other superhero movies of the day. It’s just silly. The dialogue is cheesy, the plot devices are predictable, and what little plot there is is completely extraneous.
But it works because (among other reasons):
- Jessica Alba is hot
- Chris Evans is full of charisma
- The Silver Surfer is just awesome in any medium
The movie spends it’s time taking cool ideas and bringing them to life. For anyone who didn’t read the comics and wonders how the four powers of the heroes could actually be used in conjunction, the movie shows you the way.
For anyone who’s ever wondered what would happen if their powers were all jumbled up, or traded, or even combined into one, the movie shows you the way.
The movie works because it’s silly and it knows it. It’s not trying to be more than it is, and I think that’s why the first one found a niche and this one will too. It won’t make the money of its predecessor, but don’t be surprised to see this one do well enough to warrant another.
It’s simple superhero film-making in the truest sense, hearkening back to what comic books were before I was born. It’s a nice change of pace and a welcome entry into the ever-widening world of superhero movies.
Oh, and the Silver Surfer couldn’t be brought to life any cooler than he is in this movie. Special effects, character, everything. He’s just awesome.
Verdict: B
I can’t believe Dave didn’t catch “Chris Evans if full of Charisma”.
It’s early yet.
I allow Josh the occasional grammatically-challenged man-crush.
Fixed, ya bastards.