Third time’s not a charm
Here’s a franchise that’s extremely appealing, but always falls short of substance. And why? I guess much can lay on the hands of those who seem to CONTINUE to approach this in a way that comes off cartoonish (to a degree) and less serious. After all, yes, it’s just another comic book movie, but there’s more to this particular team than meets the eye.
Rehashed from its even worse 2005 (and 2007) predecessor(s), FANTASTIC FOUR is an updated “re-imagining†of one of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero teams. Focusing on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate, dangerous universe that drastically ups their existences in extreme ways, the team must learn to harness their new talents and work together to save Earth from a former friend now foe.
A chronicle this is not! Under the guidance of Josh Trank, this piece is not as clever or enticing as his 2012 found-footage sleeper hit pertaining to another group of youngsters whose lives are altered after a freak encounter. Although FANTASTIC FOUR looks and sounds better, it’s an empty calorie that runs on build-up, a pretty decent cast (although they seem to lose chemistry from time-to-time), and the element of harsh destruction. As leverage to grip one’s psyche it isn’t enough. That’s all it basically does. Anticlimactic would be an understatement.
Like most rehashed origin stories, it has its own ups and downs. For its handful of scenes that were pretty decent to endure, one of my biggest gripes is how they used Doom (Toby Kebbell) once again. A bit darker than before, but still didn’t carry that menacing aura he really should. As a mish-mash of beautiful people running around making the world a better, safer place, I was really hoping for a better appeal and overall feeling with this one. Unfortunately, the best reaction to this is “eh.”
Will it garner a following and make money? Sure. It’s one of the summer’s anticipated blockbusters. However, not one that lives up to what it promoted. Quite frankly, the trailers and posters give FANTASTIC FOUR a better appeal than its hour-and-forty-five journey of unpleasant footing.
Either FOX needs to go SONY and let MARVEL handle this, or just leave it alone.
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Grade: C- / Genre: Action, Adventure, Remake / Rated: PG-13 / Run Time: 1:45
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Miles Teller, Jamie Bell
Directed by: Josh Trank
