Simply Fantastic

In a couple hours, I may be off to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Until then, I figured I'd make a (belated) review of the recent Fantastic Four movie.

I'll try not to deliver some spoilers. And being a part of the comic-book-cum-movie genre, take the movie as a bit of fun and less seriously than others. Simply put, I liked it.

There were some flaws. Mr. Fantastic seemed to have limitless resources for his lab, despite being a failed scientist. Their gaining super powers seemed hard to believe, as was a machine's ability to undo and return their powers. And there's one scene where the brother and sister argue without much of a reason for doing so (an explanation for which may have been cut by the editor for all I know).

That said, there were some good elements. For one thing, the villain didn't become truly a threat to the Four (and good old New York City) until nearly the end, although the conflict was apparent and slow-building throughout - this meant we didn't spend 2 hours seeing the heroes rising to a challenge but seeing all 5 characters come to grips with their new lives. That is, the final conflict was more of genuine climax in powers and tension, rather than merely the budget-busting battle between equals we saw coming for 2 hours as the villain taunted the heros (see X-Men and Spider-Man).

That said, there were no plot twists to speak of, really, and we predicted how it would end up (seeing as how there was no doubt about who the villain was). But at least we get a sense in this first movie that it really is more of the opening act for the heroes; future sequels might develop them more, rather than just recycling same old themes (as other comic-book blockbusters have done).

It could be wish-ful thinking, but all told I think the movie is worth watching - and it far exceeded my admittedly low expectations.