The Whatever Comics Fantastic Four 2 Review Thread

Robin The Boy Wonder · The Whatever Comics Fantastic Four 2 Review Thread

There were some who stayed at work.

There were some who didn't know.

And, of course, there was one who didn't need to see it because he's already met Jessica Alba and had all his Christmasses rolled into one already.

Today saw Whatever Comics rampage to the cinema to bear witness to the latest super hero sequel, Fantastic Four 2: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.

So, whaddaya think? The poll's below... but here's what I thought... and if you haven't seen the film yet, you may want to turn away now because...

THERE BE SPOILERS!

The original Fantastic Four was critically panned and despised by many a comic book fan. This particular fan liked the first Fantastic Four film and revelled in its fast-paced, light-hearted, family-orientated fun-fest. Not that it didn't have its faults but it was undeniably fun. It needed to be longer, too much time was given to developing the character's origins and not enough time was given to developing the film's endgame. Don't even get me started on Doom himself; a character who I hold up to be one of comicdom's finest, a villain who was butchered somewhat.

But that was the first film.

The second film is a massive improvement on the first and wastes no time getting to the action. The opening sequence with Galactus devouring another world is stunning; as the camera pans upon a small spark of light, we're given an immediate impression of the grand epic to come. Oddly enough, the opening sequence reminded me rather heavily of Unicron's appearance in the opening minutes of Transformers (1986).

Where the first film was carried by Chris Evans (Torch) and Michael Chiklis (Thing), both Ioan Gruffudd and Jessica Alba take a step forward here, revelling in their characters and enjoying themselves throughout. We see that Sue has become the team matriarch, dominating Reed time and time again (as only women can); Reed rebels against Sue's authority yet always finds himself spellbound by her. The relationship between Johnny and Ben is brought to life in fantastic fashion and feels as if it has been ripped from the pages of the comic itself.

The story moves forward at a brisk pace and takes us on a globe-trotting tour. Unlike other super hero films where the action remains fairly centralised, we're given the sense that the Fantastic Four is a global team, capable of more than just doing the good deed in NYC. Always pausing for breath and character moments though, the film deftly and seamlessly changes scene.

We then have the Silver Surfer himself. A CGI marvel in one respect, yet the de-powered Surfer is far more captivating for the fact it looks so darned good (I don't think that was CGI). Laurence Fishburne voices the Surfer and offers very little in the way of emotion. We also aren't given the line that many of us waited for... 'To me, my board!' But it's not a problem; the Surfer delivers.

We're given some truly excellent moments throughout: Reed's bachelor party, the interaction between Reed and Sue, Susan Storm, The Human Torch, the London Eye sequence; Stan Lee's cameo, Doom actually acting like a true bad guy... I could go on, but there were two moments that made the film a true success for me:

Naked Susan Storm. Yes, it happens. I was ecstatic. Even though it's the PG rated nudity. If only we had the 15 version...

Galactus. I won't say why... go see it yourself if you haven't already.

Before we get to the negative, I would like to just say one thing. I was very pleased to see that The Emperor from Star Wars is alive and well. I was concerned that, after his death in Return Of The Jedi, he would fade away into cinema obscurity. His return here was nicely handled, if a little odd. Seriously. Doom, sans mask, looks like The Emperor.

And now the bad... two things really. CGI Reed. They've never really been able to quite master stretchy Reed. Julian McMahon as Doom. He just sounds and looks too nice.

I've tried to be as vague as possible... because I really want you to see this film if you haven't already. Some were disappointed by Spider-Man 3 (I wasn't one of them) but, if you were one of them, this one won't... if anything, you'll leave the cinema with a broad smile on your face. Especially if you were at the private screening.

And thanks shuold go to Captain Opinion once again for organising this. Bring on Transformers!!!

Batmanuel

was going to vote "simply Fantastic smokin" because i really enjoyed the film, but i reserve the right to change my mind, and the better than Spider-man 3 drew me like a magnet, so i placed my vote there, however, the film was fantastic, and the Silver surfer was brilliant, and to those of you who complained that Galactus was a cloud look more closely, on approach the silhouette cast upon a planet cast an unmistakable shape, and at the centre of said cloud also the unmistakable shape, which left a feeling of a creature of immense power, almost god like, if you prescribe to that sort of thing. Excellent Movie.

Web of Fear

I thought that was a good film, and better than the first (they actually have fun with their powers). The highlight was the Surfer, both when he's surfing the skies and when he's been depowered.

As for Galactus, there's nothing to say that there wasn't a 60 bloke inside the cloud.......

The Rascal King

Indeed, the resembalance to Palpatine was serious. He even got the Force Lightning bit down.
Then again, maybe Viccy was just styling himself after his biggest Icon? I mean, the guy ran a Galactic Empire! Thats definatly Doom's thing.

And though I was dissapointed by the lack of "To me, my board!" as mentioned, I thought it was great. A couple of bits were simply (and I apologise both in advance, and again after for saying this) fantastic (*shudder* I feel all dirty now). Seriously. Its been said, the Surfer was awsome. All of the scenes with him in were great, and there were a few fun nods to other FF and SS stuff. The Invisible Woman gaining the Human Torches powers, becoming a flying, flaming woman. *Ahem*, Nova anyone? And the Torch gaining everyones powers? Another certain, space faring villan?

I'll type up more when I can be bothered.

It was good.

Batmanuel

Web Of:

Web of Fear

So there was something to say that there wasn't a 60 foot bloke in the cloud? Do share, 'cos I missed that.

Web of Fear

Found this and thought it was interesting. Galactus isn't actually a very tall chap, he just appears to humans as such.

Web of Fear

.... and also found this.

waffle

I gave it four stars. Although I think 3.5 would be more fitting.

I've written loads on the film already, so won't exhaust myself here.

What I will say though, is that I liked pretty much everything. What I didn't like though, was the stupid bloody dancing!

And is no-one else getting bored of Stan Lee yet? It was funny at first, but now...

What I particularly liked was the London showdown, the surfer/torch chase, the emotional range available to The Thing now, the effect of the surfer, and the length of the film.

Robin The Boy Wonder

Web of Fear

I have seen the film, I just think that some confusion arose about my use of a double negative saying that there wasn't anything to suggest that there wasn't a really tall dude inside the giant cloud.

The Rascal King

Robin The Boy Wonder

I think we should start a petition now and have next year's Iron Man movie be an all-singing, all-dancing cheesefest! Very Happy

Reaper

Fairly good film all round, some good stuff and a couple of niggles but nothing major which is nice.
I've sent a full review to CapO so he might post it. The stuff I cut out of the review as they were too spoilerish for a review amount to this.

At the end of the comic version I'm sure the Surfer reasons with Galactus to leave Earth alone, however thats not as cinematic as the ending we had. And correct me if I'm wrong but I was sure that the Surfer had the power cosmic in him, not his board.

I don't really read F4 so I'm more guessing from conversations I've heard.

I'd definitely buy it on dvd when it comes out. Well done FF2

Web of Fear

In the first Galactus story I think that he is defeated by Reed. The Watcher assists Reed to travel different dimensions to find the "Ultimate Nullifier" a small but extremely potent weapon. It's about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

Reed shows it to Galactus who is extremely concerned that a human has a weapon far in excess of current human levels of technology. The Nullifier is given to Galactus, who in return agrees to leave Earth alone.

I think that the Surfer's "humanity" is awakened by either Sue or Alicia Masters, and he teams up with the FF to fight Galactus, so to some extent this survives in the film.

I know that this is a well loved story among comic readers, but I can see why changes were made.

As for the movie, did anyone else notice that there seemed to be no sense of geography, and they just seemed to hop around the planet. Johnny crash lands somewhere in the desert, and by the next scene, he's back in New York.

Reaper

Well he can fly fairly quickly and I think you're meant to assume that the next scene takes place a certain amount of time after he crashes.

The Rascal King

I quite liked the way that the Power Cosmic was in his board. It gave a reason why he was on a surfboard in the first place (I loved Johnny trying to explain what he looked like: "he was Silver. And on a sort of... surfboard thing"), and gave a legit reason to build stuff, and do stuff, and stuff for Doom to steal.

I also really liked it when it was just the board flying along on its stoney, and the Surfer just emerged out of it.

Web of Fear

The bit with the Surfer emerging out of the board was rather cool. Is that something that has been done in the Ultimate universe?

The Rascal King

I... think so. Can't remember for sure without checking up.

Actually, yes, I think it is.

Then again, the Surfer has pitched up twice in the Ultiverse now, once with Wings and a mouth to rival a Great Whites, and once bigger than the planet. Rolling Eyes

Go figure.

Guest

Well i have gone for simply fantastic.

Why?

Because it is exactly what a Ff film with the Surfer in in should be.

If you could bottle the esense of Stan Lee's and Jack Kirby's FF books and distill them in to a film, thats what you would get.

Doesn't mean its the best film I have ever seen.

Just means its an absolutly cracking FF film.

Guest

Oh and yes.

In Ultimate Glactus trilogy, when the Surfer first turns up, he forms out of his board.

Guest

Look.

I decided to make you all famous!

What do you think?

You have now been quoted on the net.

That pratically makes you experts!

Web of Fear

LOL! Cool! Cool

Robin The Boy Wonder

'Underwear on the outside loving...'

Are you trying to get me an unwanted reputation? Razz

One niggle though; the title of the article is for the Dr Strange preview, not the FF2 review. Silly boy. Guess you were too distracted by thinking up that line about me! Very Happy

Reaper

Heh thats a good idea CapO. Very Happy