Fantastic Four review

The Fantastic Four are like a real life version of The Incredibles: a dysfunctional "family" of superheroes who struggle to reconcile their gifts with the more prosaic aspects of everyday life. Although the liberal use of humour inclines Fantastic Four more towards superhero sitcom than sci-fi thriller, it fails to match the wit and ingenuity of its animated predecessor.

One reason cited for taking so long to transfer the exploits of the quirky quartet from the inky pages of Marvel Comics to the silver screen is that the technology didn't exist before to effectively render their various superpowers. That they have been conveyed so well justifies the wait. What is less excusable is the sub-standard story. In the forty plus years they were waiting for the technology to catch up with the imagination of Stan Lee (who makes a cameo), surely someone could have come up with a better script than the one Mark Frost and Michael France (The Hulk) delivered.

How the Four become Fantastic begins when inventor Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) undertakes a mission to space and the centre of a cosmic storm where he hopes to unlock the secret of the human genetic code. Accompanying him is his ex-girlfriend and genetic researcher Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), her whiz kid pilot brother Johnny (Chris Evans) and astronaut Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis). Financing and joining them on the mission is wealthy industrialist and Sue's new beau Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon).

When the mission goes wrong, all are exposed to high levels of radioactivity and return to earth with their DNA fundamentally changed in different ways. Reed is able to stretch and mould his body. Johnny can raise his temperature and erupt in flames. Sue becomes invisible, though only after having removed her clothes. All three can draw on these powers at will. Only poor Ben, who has become a hulking stone monster, cannot change back, much to the horror of his unsympathetic wife.

Striking a tone somewhere between The X-Men and Galaxy Quest, Fantastic Four blends state-of-the art FX, sci-fi action and cornball comedy. The best lines are the province of the cocksure Johnny (played with star-making verve by Evans) who is enjoying his new powers and the celebrity they bring as part of the media-christened Fantastic Four. "Am I the only one who thinks it's cool?"

What the Four do with their abilities is the film's weakest element. Unlike other superheroes, they are not in the business of saving the world, but more concerned with reversing the effects of the radiation. The only obstacle in their way is Von Doom who was also affected but intends to harness his new powers for more sinister uses.

Director Tim Story (Barbershop) is more successful with the film's light-hearted moments than with the drama or unconvincing romantic thread. Some of the CGI work is impressive but the lack of a palpable plot and some clunky dialogue ultimately prevents Four from being Fantastic and more Fair.

Kevin Murphy