Web posted
June 14, 2007
'F4: Rise of the Silver Surfer' tarnishes comic book genre
By COLIN COVERT
Star Tribune
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| courtesy of 20th century fox |
 Fire fighter: It's about to be "Flame Out" for Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) as he encounters the Silver Surfer in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."
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The best comic book movies aren't entirely cartoonish. The first two Spider-Man movies and "Batman Begins" boasted a moral landscape rendered in subtle shades of gray and multidimensional characters who, absent their costumes, would have been at home in a serious story. Bryan Singer's X-Men movies had a sophisticated sensibility and subtext.
The juvenile Fantastic Four movies are a different matter, where a person's superpower is a direct gamma-ray extension of his personality. The Human Torch is a hotshot. The boulder-like Thing is tough on the outside but a pussycat within. Scientist Reed Richards, pulled between domestic obligations and saving the world, literally stretches like taffy. And the petulant, much-ignored Sue Storm becomes invisible.
The target audience appears to be Cartoon Network fans. Anyone outside that category is likely to find "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" a dull slog no avalanche of razzle-dazzle digital hooey can camouflage.
In this interminable installment, the phenomenal foursome are awash in public adoration as they prepare for the marriage of Reed and Sue, an event that has whipped up a Brad and Angelina-sized media frenzy. The script mines the run-up to the wedding for rock-bottom gags. Reed dances at his extremely chaste bachelor party, his rubbery limbs extending for yards. The Thing downs several pitchers of beer, belching so lustily he makes a bystander's hair flutter. The Torch's date mentions her fireproof lingerie.
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Movie Review
'Fantastic Four:Rise of the Silver surfer'
Rating: ★★
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Laurence Fishburne, Julian McMahon.
Director: Tim Story.
Rating: PG.
Run time: 1 hour, 32 minutes.
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But in a development that would ruin the best event planner's designs, a planet-consuming vortex is only days away from devouring Earth, following the interstellar path of its scout, the Silver Surfer. The nuptials go on hold while the team joins forces with their old nemesis, Victor Von Doom, to turn aside the threat.
The story lurches from scene to scene, hinting at large swaths of missing transitional material. The inscrutable Surfer (voiced by Laurence Fishburne, who speaks perhaps a dozen lines) flies around the globe, digging giant craters for reasons that are never explained. For unknown reasons, his comet-like energy trail revives Doom from suspended animation.
After declaring that he has no choice but to obey his all-powerful cosmic overlord, the Surfer abruptly changes his mind and effortlessly defeats his master. Logic is not at a premium in projects like this, but come on, people! Make an effort.
A game cast can often compensate for sub-par material, and Michael Chiklis, acting under 60 pounds of orange latex, wins the performing honors. His banter with the cocky Evans has a nice balance of aggravation and affection. Ioan Gruffud's Reed Richards is the least charismatic screen scientist since Fred MacMurray discovered Flubber, while the lovely and talent-free Jessica Alba plays Sue Storm with all the depth and psychological texture of an extra in a Pepsi commercial.
The film's brief 90-minute running time is "Silver Surfer's" only silver lining.
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