The Fantastic Four

[Beffery]

Has anyone else had the misfortune of paying to see this movie?

I went last night with a few friends and in my opinion there was not nearly enough action for a movie of that genre and none of the characters were likeable at all. The Human Torch (Johnny) was meant for comic relief but was more annoying than anything else. The love triangle between Reid (Mr Fantastic), Sue (Invisible Girl) and Vincent (Dr Doom - or whatever his name is) was extremely tedious and cringe-worthy.

I could go on, but I think I have made my point.

 

[Mattlowry]

From what i heard the director was given a very simple plot to go with and was not really allowed to tweak it. I'm not a comic book fan but apparently this one leaves out very large portions of the plot which really give reasons to why the characters are doing what they are doing.

I read a review on ign.com which gave it 5/10 saying it wasnt great but for the script the director got he did a good job with it. The Human Torch and the guy from the shield (i think he is the Thing or something in this) are supposed to be quite good in it i hear...

Got 6/10 i think in todays Herald Sun.

 

[Muffo]

I had a mate that said it was more like a kids movie than an action flic.

 

[GeeCat]

It's no Spider-Man or Batman Begins for that matter.

If you go into the film with the right mindset (cheesy, not too much thinking involved), it's a decent film.

Not one of the better comic book movies going around, but beats alot of those poor excuses for movies (Daredevil, Elektra, Catwoman) released in recent years.

 

[Muffo]

If you go into the film with the right mindset (cheesy, not too much thinking involved), it's a decent film.

Thats my kinda movie.

 

[GeeCat]

Thats my kinda movie.

Well don't go watch it if you're expecting a great action movie with a great script and great acting performances to go with it all.

It's a fun movie, a little on the cheesy side if anything.

 

[Muffo]

Well don't go watch it if you're expecting a great action movie with a great script and great acting performances to go with it all.

It's a fun movie, a little on the cheesy side if anything.

Sorry, i actually meant i would like it cos i dont like thinking at the movies.

Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Jeffers]

Twas a very average movie. Lacked alot of action however it was Still fun though.

WOTW and Batman Begins are the two standout blockbusters for the year which was a major hinderence for Fantastic 4 as they all came out around the same time.

 

[SonOfScray]

Thought it captured the spirit of the comic quite well but wasn't neccessarily a great adaption. My main concern was that the over the top, cheesey nature of the F4 wouldn't translate well into live action film, and to be honest it didn't. However, being a fan I appreciated seeing some of my favourite characters brought to life in a film that wasn't terrible. The Human Torch and the Thing were great, the look of the characters and the way they were brought to life was spot on IMO.

Probably on par with Daredevil in terms of my all time comic to film translations. Marvel, Avi Arad and co. really need to stop spreading themselves so thin and just work on making solid franchises out of the XMEN and Spidey, give the other titles the time and development they deserve.

Batman Begins was just about the perfect comic to film translation IMO. Rivals the xmen as the best to date.

 

[The Legend]

Thought it captured the spirit of the comic quite well but wasn't neccessarily a great adaption. My main concern was that the over the top, cheesey nature of the F4 wouldn't translate well into live action film, and to be honest it didn't. However, being a fan I appreciated seeing some of my favourite characters brought to life in a film that wasn't terrible. The Human Torch and the Thing were great, the look of the characters and the way they were brought to life was spot on IMO.

I'm a bit nervous about seeing this. Marvels "Silver-age" flagship deserves some justice, eh? Being a fan, I'll have the same appreciation that you have.

Probably on par with Daredevil in terms of my all time comic to film translations. Marvel, Avi Arad and co. really need to stop spreading themselves so thin and just work on making solid franchises out of the XMEN and Spidey, give the other titles the time and development they deserve.

Agreed. X-Men and Spidey work because there's the whole Anti-Hero thing going for them. I'm just not looking forward to Ghost Rider or Man-Thing. And god knows what an Avengers movie would be like.

Batman Begins was just about the perfect comic to film translation IMO. Rivals the xmen as the best to date.

Absolutely. DC look like they want to really break into the Film market atm (and I think Marvel Entertainment worry about this). BB was very worthwhile as far as attempts go at bringing an iconic comic-book character to a new generation, whilst trying to be faithful to 60 odd years of printed history.

While Marvel seem to be leading the race with book>film adaptations, DC have been laying all sorts of groundwork that makes their current re-branding much more exciting than Marvels. DC will be the major player in this genre in 18 mths time (Joss Whedon is slated as director for Wonder Woman btw).

 

[dugrene]

Read my 1st FF4 about 1973. Have followed marvel comics ever since. Tried to explain to my missus the story of Peter Parker and his tortured soul after watching Spiderman. She couldnt understand. I talked as though he (spidey) was someone I knew.

I have huge collection of Marvel. Savage Sword of Conan was my favourite, all black and white artwork. He always won the fight and got the girl.

Manthing
Avengers
Dr Strange
Thor
Dare Devil
......... Plenty of comics



If this movie has captured the FF4 a bunch of bumblers who get it right in the end then thats how Stan Lee presented them in comics.

I'll catch it on DVD.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Not being a comic book fan as such, I appreciated their efforts to spell out the development of the characters and their powers. It took up too much of the movie so there was no real opportunity to build the action however. Maybe they needed to make it longer and make the most of limitless action possibilities. Remember when you are looking at Batman or Spiderman, you can cover how they became what the became relatively easy but when you have to explain away four mutations, it takes a long time. Perhaps they could have done an X-Men style introduction to their plight and picked up with a solid action packed quest against the bad guy but they wanted to cover the humour in discovering their powers. There is scope for F4 II and now that the preliminaries are out of the way, it should improve hand over fist from here.

I enjoyed the movie as part 1 of a hopefully progressing storyline.

 

[Contra Mundum]

Too much relationship exposition and not enough FF v. Dr. Doom action - FFS Ben Grimm only said "it's clobberin' time" once!

I did'nt mind it but I reckon it has damaged the franchise too much to justify the sequel which could be all action now they have introduced the characters - also I don't reckon Jessica Alba looks any good as a blonde

 

[SonOfScray]

If this movie has captured the FF4 a bunch of bumblers who get it right in the end then thats how Stan Lee presented them in comics.

I think it does, but it just doesn't make for great viewing. FWIW the humour is spot on. The nature of the F4 series just doesn't allow for the film world IMO, could you imagine a live action version "Four Against Ego?"

 

[Mattlowry]

Remember when you are looking at Batman or Spiderman, you can cover how they became what the became relatively easy but when you have to explain away four mutations, it takes a long time. .
.

I disagree with that.. As seen in the Batman Begins Bruce Waynes story is a much longer one to set up and show than both Superman and the Fantastic Four. Out of the three Fantastic Four i would think is the most simplistic. Superman was from another planet and all that and his childhood has to be brought into account in the setting up of how and why he does what he does.

 

[Grendel]

Trouble with us fanboys is exactly that, we're fanboys!

Rather a quiet room, a stack of classics and freedom to let my imagination drift away.

Vic and Sue? Come off it. Namor and Sue, yea, casue we got history with that.

Sod the films, we are above that, the purity is in the books.

Though I gotta admit, I am looking foward to 'V for Vendetta'.