Fantastic Four: Reserving Judgement - Surf's Up

Despite what all the disgruntled film naysayers and dull art-house diehards would argue, the boom of comic book movies over the last decade has produced some very impressive films. When comparing these to some of the genre's worst, like Batman and Robin ("Holy suck-fest Batman", you say), it becomes clear that to do these movies well, the requisite fun and action must be blended with character and a heavy slice of reality to keep the fictional elements (flying man, green toned behemoth, etc. etc.) believable in a relatable world.

So, that being said, even the most hardened Marvel badge-holders amongst us must be slightly worried that the second instalment of the Fantastic Four series, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, involves a galaxy-surfing silver harbinger of doom and, if you believe the rumours, a planet devouring super being named Galactus. Throw into the mix the fact that the trailer has the heroes swapping powers instantaneously (at first view it is humorous, the second is gag-reel material) and it may take something special from the utility belt to please those who favour their films at the opposing end of the spectrum from the Kapow! oriented.

As for the plot, the team have to stop the titular Surfer from world annihilation whilst facing old foe Victor Von Doom and coming to terms with life as the only set of heroes in the phone book. At the same time Mr. Fantastic attempts to marry his invisible fiancé Sue (making her Mrs. Fantastic you would think?), literal hot-head Johnny Storm continues his, ahem, hot streak with the ladies and human brick Ben Grimm tries a relationship with blind girl Alicia.

However, let's be careful not to write movies and actors off before we see them (the creator of CraigNotBond.com should be taking notes at this point) as the first movie was fun and boasted some nice performances including a shining breakthrough for the now Hollywood 'it boy' Chris Evans, and a lesson in how to steal scenes from the already established Michael Chiklis. It should also be remembered that both the X-Men and Spider-Man franchises improved significantly and peaked in their second outings, which should give hope that director Tim Story can do the same and make the Four fantastic once again.