Fantastic Four Review

The Fantastic Four have been one of the flagship titles in Marvels, together with Spiderman, Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers and The Uncanny X-Men. Now, all the superheroes are coming out of the woodworks from paperback books to onscreen movies! Some comic to screen adaptations are great, for example the Spiderman and X-Men movies. However, movies like the Incredible Hulk leave us wondering if directors are bringing comics to screen adaptations in the right direction.

Fantastic Four (FF) is truly and inspiration from which unlikely everyday characters who encounter an incredible cosmic accident, have their genes mutated to develop superpowers. Take note the distinction between superheroes and mutants. The latter are born with the x-factor gene that gives them natural superpowers whereas the former encounter an event that gives them superpowers. Spiderman is a superhero, he was bitten by a radioactive spider that gave him superpowers. In the beginning the heroes do not know what to do with their power, but it becomes clear that being in the right place at the right time helps to paint them as heroes in a world without one.

FF are Marvel Comics dysfunctional family. To set the records straight, Doctor Victor von Doom experimented with alchemy and science which led to a laboratory explosion leaving him scarred for life. He did not go up to space and get himself exposed to comic radiations that gave him organo-metallic skin and lightning powers! Victor was always in love with Susan Storm, however Reed Richards was the more humane character and shared her many ideals.

This movie is a great introduction to the FF characters and how they develop into their hero status in Manhanttan, New York. However, the storyline, like most first movies, leaves more to be desired as it was sketchy and linear at best. Don't fret however, the movie has loads of banter between Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm which adds to the antics which livens up everything. I draw parallels to the X-Men's first movie, because it was also aimed at introducing the characters and their powers to us. I certainly await FF's second movie and hope that it was follow some of its Marvel cousins to be as successful as ever at the box office.

I give this movie 7.5 out of 10.