Hello rock, this is me in between you and the hard place. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) & Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon). All set off on a space mission that sees them engulfed by a mysterious storm that imbues them all with different special powers. Fantastic Four is arguably the most loved on the page of the super-group comic book creations. Certainly it's Marvel's flagship offering in that corner of the super hero market. Odd then, that when it finally makes it to the big screen they throw money at it but employ the director of "The Firing Squad" & "Taxi"? The whole film reeks of nervousness, with director Tim Story either fearful of making a hash of said flagship movie, or worse still, being directed himself by studio executives fearful of making a hash of said flagship movie. While the casting of Gruffud (dull), Alba (cleavage for hire) and McMahon (out of his depth as a villain) beggars belief. Sloppy CGI fails to ignite what little action there is, while the final smack down as our intrepid 4 battle with Von Doom, is of a TV movie standard. Yet it still has a smidgen of fun about it to warrant investing a damp dark afternoon with. Chiklis and Evans are the plus points, the former injecting a bit of heart into proceedings and the latter some sexiness and some much needed humour. There's also some worth in the script's attempt at messaging about the perils and pitfalls of celebrity status. While who can deny that the first appearance of "flame-on" & "clobbertime" doesn't induce an ickle tingle down the spine of the discerning comic book fan (ok that may just be me hankering for my youth). If only the film wasn't so safe and had been in better hands. But hey! the film turned over a $230 million Worldwide profit, so what do I know eh? The sequel was inevitable, so one can only hope that with the same people involved they not only learn from their guardedness, but that they manage to stay faithful to the source and give it some much needed pizazz. Footnote: The extended cut at twenty minutes longer, suffice to say, is a better experience as it has more pizazz. So 5/10 for the theatrical cut and 6/10 for the extended version.
I personally find the Storyverse Fantastic Four films underrated for a lot of reasons. One good reason is Michael Chiklis' performance as Ben Grimm/The Thing. He did such a great job as the Thing and is seen by many as the best character. The acting, effects, plot and production values are pretty good. After the Fant4stic film, I feel like people should give this film and Rise of the Silver Surfer another chance.
A terribly wooden Ioan Gruffudd heads the cast of this weak and feeble sci-fi adventure as "Reed Richards" - a career boffin who leads the team of "Ben" (Michael Chiklis) and siblings "Sue" (Jessica Alba) and the cocky "Johnny" (Chris Evans). Funded by "Victor von Doom" (Julian McMahon) they are investigating some spacial anomaly when poor old "Ben" is caught unawares on an EVA and he is exposed to a hefty dose of cosmic radiation. The others thought they were safely behind an impermeable shield but upon their return to Earth they discover that they have some new quirks. "VVD" isn't impressed by this and soon the four must put aside their domestic grievances and unite to combat his ever increasing ambitions - and it turns out that he, being on the ship too, has powers of his own! Aside from the hunky Evans who has the most fun super-power (he can catch fire and fly like a rocket) and easily the most charisma, the rest of the casting is very much by-the-numbers, as is the dialogue and the predictable storyline. The writers have a stab at putting some humour into the film, but no amount of wit is going to help Gruffudd and his unpredictable accent (why did he even bother?) to carry this good looking but poorly delivered helping of Marvel-lite. There is also a little too much simmering romance and envy here to clutter up the main thrust of the lacklustre plot. What we end up with is actually a bit of a mess. To be fair, it does move along well enough and is only 100 minutes, or so, but really - this is an unremarkable effort from all concerned that I doubt I will ever bother watching again.
A nuclear explosion in the far north unleashes Gamera, the legendary flying turtle, from his sleep under the ice. In his search for energy, Gamera wreaks havoc over the entire world, and it's up to the scientists, assisted by a young boy with a strange sympathic link to the monster, to put a stop to Gamera's rampage.
Movie Star Rating : 6 Read More
Shortly after Shinnosuke Tomari (Ryoma Takeuchi), Kamen Rider Drive, eradicates the Earth of the 108 Roidmudes, he is put on a special assignment to investigate paranormal activity elsewhere in the city. He heads to the temple Daitenkū-ji to speak with witnesses Akari Tsukimura (Hikaru Ohsawa) and Onari (Takayuki Yanagi), but as he is interrogating them, a Gamma appears and steals an Eyecon from the temple, prompting Takeru Tenkūji (Shun Nishime), Kamen Rider Ghost, to fight it, even though to Shinnosuke it seems that Kamen Rider Ghost is fighting no one at all as he cannot see the Gamma
Movie Star Rating : 6.2 Read More
Ben Tennyson falls through a wormhole and encounters Rex. The two heroes must unite against a foe that can absorb their powers.
Movie Star Rating : 7.1 Read More
A new Roidmude, Angel, appears, granting full human emotions to Chase. Chase, now possessing the emotions he wanted to feel, attempts to integrate into humanity, but becomes uncertain when he realizes the dangers of what the Angel Roidmude is doing. Chase must decide between Justice and the emotions he always wanted, with the lives of those around him at stake.
Movie Star Rating : 7.8 Read More
Casey (a nonbinary sheep farmer/cartoonist) and Robin (basically a vagabond) are lost in a magical forest, struggling to find Casey’s sketchbook so they can get the heck back home. Unfortunately, The Butterfly Queen wants the sketchbook too, and A) she’s clever, B) she’s desperate and C) she makes the rules.
Movie Star Rating : 5 Read More
The King of Far Far Away has died and Shrek and Fiona are to become King & Queen. However, Shrek wants to return to his cozy swamp and live in peace and quiet, so when he finds out there is another heir to the throne, they set off to bring him back to rule the kingdom.
Movie Star Rating : 6.3 Read More
After the entire flora goes extinct, ecologist Lowell maintains a greenhouse aboard a space station for the future with his android companions. However, he rebels after being ordered to destroy the greenhouse in favor of carrying cargo, a decision that puts him at odds with everyone but his mechanical companions.
Movie Star Rating : 6.4 Read More
As a swinging fashion photographer by day and a groovy British superagent by night, Austin Powers is the '60s' most shagadelic spy. But can he stop megalomaniac Dr. Evil after the bald villain freezes himself and unthaws in the '90s? With the help of sexy sidekick Vanessa Kensington, he just might.
Movie Star Rating : 6.6 Read More
The world's most shagadelic spy continues his fight against Dr. Evil. This time, the diabolical doctor and his clone, Mini-Me, team up with a new foe—'70s kingpin Goldmember. While pursuing the team of villains to stop them from world domination, Austin gets help from his dad and an old girlfriend.
Movie Star Rating : 6 Read More
Starship C57D travels to planet Altair 4 in search of the crew of spaceship "Bellerophon," a scientific expedition that has been missing for 20 years, only to find themselves unwelcome by the expedition's lone survivor and warned of destruction by an invisible force if they don't turn back immediately.
Movie Star Rating : 7.3 Read More
Aliens have landed and are hiding on Earth, but need Earth’s scientists to help them fight an inter-planetary war.
Movie Star Rating : 6 Read More
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