Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Well, here we are with the second installment of the Fantastic Four Live action movie franchise. 
Now, I’m one of the rare few that enjoyed the first movie. I thought it was good, cosmic fun, and that it really felt like a movie about a super-powered family. The casting wasnt perfect, but it also could’ve been much worse on all fronts.
The second movie improved on almost everything from the first. I really felt like this was a team that had universal influence. The inclusion of Silver Surfer and his master brought a, pardon the pun, fantastic feeling to the movie. From what little Fantastic Four comics I’ve read, I feel like they should feel more like a full on alien sci-fi movie, and this definitely did.
The family dynamic was strong here. The “tension” between Sue and Reed disappeared entirely, despite attempts by the filmmakers to force it back into this one. It was clear they would wind up married, and as part of the team, from the first scene. Any allusion otherwise was just plain lame. There was a little less of the Johnny/Ben back-and-forth than in the first film, but every one of their scenes together counted for sure.
This one was definitely Johnny’s film, despite some other reviewers’ thoughts. The bulk of the movie centered on his development, with everyone else taking a second tier. If anyone was negelected this time around, it was The Thing. Our rocky friend appeared only in full ensemble scenes, and really just plain didn’t do anything of any level of importance in this film. I can imagine it’d be frustrating for Chiklis to go through the hours of makeup and costuming to essentially appear in 5% of the movie.
Doom was pretty much useless in this movie as well- his scenes felt like filler. I hope for the inevitable next one that he’s brought back as a true despot. Also, I’d like just ONCE for him to speak in third person. Really, is that so much to ask?
Again, I of course as a comic fan have my nits to pick (search: Magnus for more of nitpicking!), but this really was a movie filled with fun, action, and some of the best super hero special effects I’ve seen on screen to date. I’d love to see more Fantastic Four, and more Silver Surfer (perhaps with the other heralds? Or at least one more…). The same people that enjoyed the first edition will love this one. The people that were iffy on the the first time out should still check this out if only for the much improved special effects. I say enjoy the ride for what it is, a fun, cosmic, family adventure.
June 17th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Very glad to see this review. I’m afraid I avoided the first film because the response to it was so negative, even though FF was one of my favorite comic books as a kid. Silver Surfer, in fact, became my favorite when he got his own comic, so I knew when he joined the cast that I would have to see the new film, sooner or later. I’ll be more inclined to take a trip to the theatre now, rather than wait for the DVD. (Soon as I rent the first movie, that is).
June 19th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
For an action/superhero film, this was awfully short… looked it up and it was 92 minutes. It was great while it lasted, but when it was over, I asked is that it?
The final takedown of Doom was pretty awesome BTW, however I am in agreement that he was as ineffectual in this movie as he was in the last one. My favorite effect, though, hands down, was Reed securing that big ferris wheel. It’s simple, but it was a great idea for a guy who “just stretches”.
I wish we could have gotten just one “I HUNGER!” that shook the planet. I didn’t mind not seeing Galactus, but how much of a herald is the Surfer when the military and the FF were the only ones who knew why he was there?
The humor is what sets this franchise apart from others, and I think that is what I like so much about these movies. I still laugh about Johnny’s crack about finding Alicia Masters under a rock slide someday.
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October 20th, 2007 at 3:26 am
Hey Lucas, I haven’t seen the movie yet, but thanks for the shout out!