Superheroes In Flight
By: Toni Ruberto

The Fantastic Four and friends return for a spaced-out adventure

MOVIE REVIEW
The Fantastic Four
Rating: ** 1/2
(out of four)
Rated PG-13
Starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans and Julian McMahon. Directed by Tim Story. The first family of superheroes take on the villainous Dr. Doom in big-screen adaptation of Marvel comic book series. Opens Friday in area theaters.

The summer of cinematic angst has been a thrill for those who enjoy stories of sin and redemption, brooding heroes and tortured souls.

But if all the darkness shrouding Anakin Skywalker and Bruce Wayne has gotten too heavy, the colorful antics of "The Fantastic Four," that first family of superheroes, should lighten your movie-going experience.

This big-screen, big-budget adaptation of Marvel's longest running comic series has snappy dialogue and clever one-liners straight out of the comics (like "flame on" and "it's clobberin' time); a good-looking group of actors who know their characters and play them well; and some cool action sequences.

Yet while the Stan Lee comic series held up to all the other superheroes quite nicely, this film ultimately doesn't quite cut it. When the lights go up, you may find yourself asking "that's it?" And even youngsters will notice that the CGI effects, especially when it comes to Reed Richards and his rubber body, look phony, something there's no excuse for with today's cinematic magic.

Scientist Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), "the world's dumbest smart guy," and Susan Storm (Jessica Alba) are former flames who meet again in the offices of Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon), a billionaire industrialist who practices "fast-food strip-mall science."

Along with loyal friend Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) and Susan's hot-headed younger brother (Chris Evans), the five go on an outer space mission to do good for the world (or make money, if you're Doom).

There is, of course, an accident to set the plot in motion. A cosmic storm engulfs their ship and "fundamentally alters their DNA." Reed now has the power to twist, stretch and contort his body to giant proportions; Susan gains the ability to become invisible and create force fields; Johnny literally becomes the Human Torch with flying powers; and poor Ben takes the brunt of it all, turning into a stone-like monstrous creature with Herculean strength. (If this all sounds like the "The Incredibles," don't forget "The Fantastic Four" was created in the 1960s.)

They are quickly labeled the Fantastic Four, media darlings and heroes to all after they save some firefighters. Doom, on the other hand, is turning to the dark side as his body hardens into a metallic Wolverine-like state.

While Reed searches for a way to fix their DNA, Doom's mind becomes twisted with jealousy and revenge, leading to a climatic battle. And that's the story - a bit lightweight even for a comic-book adaptation.

Lee's original series prided itself on staying clear of cliches and stereotypes by creating a dysfunctional family full of full of humor and faults. This script, however, leans toward Hollywood stereotypes and juvenile humor with jokes about Susan stripping down when she becomes invisible.

The script also goes one too many times for the obvious laughs and sight gags like the Thing walking by a Big and Tall Men's Shop or the moment when Susan whines "I want to be seen." You know that by the time she finishes saying "look at me" that she's going to disappear. I would have expected more from a script co-written by Mark Frost, the author of some of the best dramatic TV writing ever ("Twin Peaks," "Hill Street Blues") and Michael France, who also adapted "The Hulk" and "The Punisher."

They've also taken some liberties that haven't pleased fans, such as sending Doom along on the ill-fated mission. Or making a romantic triangle out of Reed, Susan and Doom (who is a little more than "mad" about Susan). Reed and Susan were engaged and then quickly married in the comics, adding to the family dynamic Lee created.

Outside of the fact that the actors ages don't quite jive with the characters (Evans is Alba's "little" brother?), this cast is one of the film's highlights. Gruffudd, the Welshman who portrayed Lancelot in "King Arthur" and plays the title role of A&E's "Horatio Hornblower," is a steadfast center for the group.

Chiklis, who has the most difficult job, exudes the warmth and care of a big, stone teddy bear even with the oversized costume he wears. Alba, with distracting golden hair and skin tones that don't look right on her, stands up to the guys. Evans plays Johnny with the right mix of brashness and bravado so that he's still likable. McMahon, who is so charmingly despicable on "Nip/Tuck," brings some of those same "qualities" and the touch of creeping madness needed for Doom.

"The Fantastic Four" isn't a fantastic movie. But it is fun. The important question for movies like this that are geared toward children is "can we really take the kids?" As Johnny Storm would say, "flame on" - they'll love it.