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Review #471 of 365
Movie Review of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) [PG-13] 93 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.00
Where Viewed: United Artists Twin Peaks Mall, Longmont, CO
When 1st Seen: 14 June 2007
Time: 11:59 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: 2 October 2007
Directed by: Tim Story (Fantastic Four)
Screenplay by: Don Payne (My Super Ex-Girlfriend) and Mark Frost (The Greatest Game Ever Played)
Story by: John Turman and Mark Frost based on characters by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Ioan Gruffudd (Amazing Grace) • Jessica Alba (Into the Blue) • Chris Evans (TMNT) • Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") • Julian McMahon (Premonition) • Laurence Fishburne (TMNT) • Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth)
Soundtrack: order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
The good thing about a sequel to a superhero film is that the first half does not have to be devoted to back story as to the rise of the heroes' powers nor the creation of the villain--at least, usually, anyway. So, expectations for fans of the first post 2000 Fantastic Four sequel known as The Rise of the Silver Surfer, were set a slow boil—not raging because, honestly, the first one was not that fantastic. Sometimes, indeed, it is better to arrive with reduced expectations and let the film unfold at its own pace. Ultimately, with the full cast plus director, Tim Story, back, everything was in place for a good reunion. There is, therefore, some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that the special effects are out of this world. Seriously, think back, if you're old enough, to Star Wars III (well, to us it was Star Wars I, but what did we know?). George Lucas and Star Wars really began a new culture of amping up the special effects with incredible effects. From the unbelievable rescuing of the Millenium Wheel in London to the Silver Surfer character himself (body acted by Dough Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne) FF:RotSS is simply one of the best special effect laden films since the Matrix trilogy. It's partially because the special effects are so seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the Fantastic Four heroes and how they live, that it's easy to overlook them. Plus, with all the brilliant effects from the Harry Potter films to Peter Jackson's LoTR Trilogy and King Kong, it's practically easy to just expect this sort of thing. But, the effects wizards behind this film really did triple time in creating this film. There are very few shots, in fact, that lack substantial and amazing digital effects of some sort. Occasionally, even, they are used for their humor—and who wouldn't have fun with a plastic man you can mold into any shape you like?
The good news is that the special effects are out of this world. Seriously, think back, if you're old enough, to Star Wars III (well, to us it was Star Wars I, but what did we know?). George Lucas and Star Wars really began a new culture of amping up the special effects with incredible effects. From the unbelievable rescuing of the Millenium Wheel in London to the Silver Surfer character himself (body acted by Dough Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne) FF:RotSS is simply one of the best special effect laden films since the Matrix trilogy. It's partially because the special effects are so seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the Fantastic Four heroes and how they live, that it's easy to overlook them. Plus, with all the brilliant effects from the Harry Potter films to Peter Jackson's LoTR Trilogy and King Kong, it's practically easy to just expect this sort of thing. But, the effects wizards behind this film really did triple time in creating this film. There are very few shots, in fact, that lack substantial and amazing digital effects of some sort. Occasionally, even, they are used for their humor—and who wouldn't have fun with a plastic man you can mold into any shape you like?
"…good news: brilliant effects, bad news: too the personal lives and problems of the heroes…"
The other good news is that the film is more humorous and lively than its predecessor. The story begins with another attempt at a wedding for Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) to his beloved Sue Storm aka The Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba). Everyone is there. Ben Grim aka the Thing (Michael Chiklis) and Sue's little brother, Johnny aka the Human Torch (Chris Evans). Johnny even got a new tux for the occasion. Unfortunately, these two have been quite unlucky in tying the knot thus far, and this time will be no different as an intergalactic 'silver surfer' dude has suddenly appeared out of no where to disrupt power all over the planet, cause weather related catastrophes, and dig gigantic craters into the earth's surface for some unknown devious plot. The ultimate wedding crasher, Surfer shows up just as Reed and Sue are about to say "I do" leaving a wake of destruction in his path. Johnny flames on to catch the Silver Surfer and ascertain his plans. An inspired twist of fate encounter with the Surfer, however, makes it possible for Johnny to take on while transferring his own super powers to another member of the Fantastic Four. Naturally, not as funny as body switching, this power switching plays for some laughs and eventually a key to saving the world.
So far, sounds pretty good. The bad news is that despite the brilliant effects and characterizations of the Fantastic Four themselves, there are a few plot problems. Instead of 90-minute superhero film, it's more like 60 minutes with 30 minutes of soap opera surrounding everyone's social lives. At one point, it seemed like either the case was going to break into a Broadway musical number, or writers of "Dawson's Creek" had been brought into create a new teen melodrama for a fledgling network that would attract the 14-21 crowd. Indeed, some of the jokes and scenarios would have been right at home on season one of "One Tree Hill". One of the things you don't want in a great super hero movie is too much camp, too much levity. It just doesn't work too well when the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
So with some good and some not as good things, as could probably have been predicted by anyone familiar with the genre, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer had more potential than up to which it lived. Still, it's a fun film with a great cast and brilliant effects that makes for a good interlude in anticipation of the next few weekends of the most anticipated films of the summer: Die Hard 4, The Transformers, and Harry Potter.
So far, sounds pretty good. The bad news is that despite the brilliant effects and characterizations of the Fantastic Four themselves, there are a few plot problems. Instead of 90-minute superhero film, it's more like 60 minutes with 30 minutes of soap opera surrounding everyone's social lives. At one point, it seemed like either the case was going to break into a Broadway musical number, or writers of "Dawson's Creek" had been brought into create a new teen melodrama for a fledgling network that would attract the 14-21 crowd. Indeed, some of the jokes and scenarios would have been right at home on season one of "One Tree Hill". One of the things you don't want in a great super hero movie is too much camp, too much levity. It just doesn't work too well when the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
So with some good and some not as good things, as could probably have been predicted by anyone familiar with the genre, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer had more potential than up to which it lived. Still, it's a fun film with a great cast and brilliant effects that makes for a good interlude in anticipation of the next few weekends of the most anticipated films of the summer: Die Hard 4, The Transformers, and Harry Potter.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Cast Members
Ioan Gruffudd
• Jessica Alba • Chris EvansMichael Chiklis
• Julian McMahon • Laurence FishburneDoug Jones
Director
Tim Story
Screenplay Writers
Don Payne
• Mark Frost| CD Soundtrack | DVD | VHS |
| PS2 | Related Product | Related DVD |
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
The Fantastic Foursome is back with a brand new villain known as the Silver Surfer. The Surfer is determined to destroy our planet, and the only ones who stand a chance of stopping him are, of course, Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Thing, and The Human Torch. With outstanding visual effects, the film sets new standards of expectations for films that follow to top these. The one major drawback stems from too much soap opera for nearly a third of the running time was confined to either touch-feely lines or social lives.
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