[Movie Review] ‘Fantastic Four’ is less than fantastic

 

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? No.

Should you watch this for free? Yes, but without expectations.

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 100 minutes (~1.25 hours)

“Fantastic Four” is a superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. It’s a reboot of the “Fantastic Four” film series, and revolves around four individuals who suddenly gain super powers. It stars Miles Teller (Reed Richards), Kate Mara (Susan Storm), Michael B. Jordan (Johnny Storm), Jamie Bell (Ben Grimm), and Toby Kebbell (Victor von Doom).

The one biggest change made in this reboot of “Fantastic Four” is the dark, realistic tone of the film. There’s nothing wrong with such a tone, provided it fits the feel of the superheroes involved. But when you have rich, imaginative powers like elasticity, invisibility and fire, such a tone curtails how imaginative the superheroes can get with their powers. And that’s what you’re here to watch, isn’t it – humans wielding powers that we can only dream about?

Highlight

Fairly plausible explanation and set up

Well, at least their origin story has been updated with modern sensibilities in mind, and the involvement of the military also makes sense. The origins of their powers are explained visually (though not verbally) and thematically, so it makes sense why these powers have been bestowed upon them. You really can’t fault how they came to be and the logical sequence of events that come after that.

Letdowns

Kate Mara can’t act

She has virtually no expressions. All of her emotions are delivered through dialogue, rather than her face. Granted, it’s a superhero movie, so athleticism should be prized over theatrical ability. However, there’s not enough action to warrant that, leaving us with a little more than a pretty face delivering lines. Fortunately, she becomes the Invisible Woman, so you don’t have to see her stony expressions all the way.

The unbelievability of the Storm siblings

Once it’s been established that the Sue and Johnny are siblings, the movie immediately explains how two siblings can be of completely different races. While it’s possible for such a situation to occur, it’s incredibly unlikely that it’ll happen in the first place. . Really? Racial diversity among siblings? It’s a forced and clumsy way to introduce diversity to a cast

Hyper serious and gritty tone

The movie plays much like a science fiction horror film than a superhero film. It takes on a hyper realistic attitude to a fantasy situation, and drains all the fun out of it. The thing about superhero films is that the heroes enjoy their powers and revel in it, whilst here it’s seen more like an affliction or disease. It’s serious, but not very fun.

Lack of the superhero fantasy element

And this is the greatest reason for the disappointment. They’re not referred to by their code names (Mr Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thing), even though most audiences would already know them as such. They don’t get their team name until the end of the film. You don’t see them use their powers all that much, and they don’t use their powers to save people on a daily basis (military operations don’t count). And their final battle with Victor von Doom is such a lacklustre finale that you’re not even sure if or when they are winning.

“Fantastic Four” is not a superhero movie, and the biggest problem is that it’s billed as such. If you go into it with the same sort of expectations as you would for say, “Interstellar,” then perhaps it might be acceptable (beven so, it’s not a great movie from that angle). But who’s going into a superhero movie (that isn’t) expecting something so serious?

“Fantastic Four” opens in cinemas 6 August, 2015 (Thursday).

This review was also published on Yahoo.