Josh Trank’s troubled Fantastic Four reboot is in theaters. Photo/Bloody Disgusting
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]antastic Four bombards theaters again like cosmic rays. This time it’s less an outer-space adventure and more thought provoking sci-fi with a conscience, at least it tries to be.
Precocious science prodigy Reed Richards (Miles Teller) is hired by scientist Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey) to work on a government project involving interdimensional travel with his daughter Sue (Kate Mara), hotrod son Johnny (Michael B. Jordan), and anti-establishment loner from Latveria Victor (Toby Kebbell) — von Doom, not Domashev, guaranteed!
Initial trips to an unnamed world — probably the Negative Zone from the comics — prove successful but Victor, on a drunken ego trip and averse to sharing glory with “the man”, convinces Reed and Johnny to take the first human voyage. Reed’s buddy Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) tags along — because, you know, the story wouldn’t work without the ever-loving blue-eyed Thing — and naturally everything goes awry.
They get their abilities (you should know them by now) and the Pentagon wants to appropriate them for military application, which works out as favorably for all involved as you might expect (hint: not very well).
Based on Marvel’s Ultimates relaunch from a decade ago (itself not well received), this is the fourth installment for the foursome in twenty years. Fantastic Four is not the worst movie ever, but has perceptible flaws, like a rushed final act that reeks of interference and rewrites.
The cast might not be ideal but they make the best of what they are given. Miles Teller is likable and sympathetic as Reed, and could grow into the role if given the chance — same for Michael B. Jordan (still complaining about his casting…chill!). That is, when they are allowed to interact and develop as characters.
They spend more time testing the limits of their superhuman skills than being compelling entities. A lot is left unresolved or unexplored, e.g., Ben’s falling-out with Reed, rationale behind Doom’s motives, his crush on Sue, and Grimm’s broken childhood. There are also tropes about the environment, human progress, and the military-industrial complex thrown in to be philosophical that go nowhere.
Producer Simon Kinberg sold the tone as “grounded and realistic”; it is to a degree, but the film is, if anything, more dark and gritty — the fallback for every superhero property when Hollywood has done everything else. For Batman, that works; and in other instances (Arrow, Daredevil) it’s a pleasant surprise.
Tim Story’s Fantastic Four movies may not be perfect either, but he tried to stay true to the spirit of the characters. Photo/Bam Smack Pow
But that is not what fans love about The Fantastic Four, or Marvel, and why they’ve rebelled. Readers enjoy the camp and upbeat aura of the original comics. Say what you will about Tim Story’s version: at least he tried to stay true to that spirit.
Not every hero has to be darker or tragic, nor has to be depressing. The Thing is tragic because he is stuck in his craggy form, but still lovable and good-natured despite that. He comes with an upside and a silver lining for the sake of balance.
Balance might be something the film lacks, but it does have a silver lining when everybody comes together in the end to dispatch the threat — an omnipotent but bewilderingly selective one — of Doom. But the climax comes so suddenly, and is so cursorily executed, that it feels forced, leaving a little to be desired.
The entire process comes off as sudden, really, from the beginning. First, Fox announced the reboot and its release date; then a few set photos leaked here and there, along with a cast selfie; then came the hate, which eclipsed any promotion (amounting to Denny’s ads).
Such strident fan reaction took its toll. Box office numbers are in and they’re less than stellar. Fantastic Four opened behind Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, a sequel in its second week.
Deadpool’s trailer is grabbing so much buzz, 20th Century Fox thinks they might have better luck with him. Photo/Dorkly
That is almost unheard of for a Marvel franchise at this point, regardless of who owns the rights. Nonetheless, the studio might go forward with a follow-up.
Rumors abound they might focus on a Deadpool sequel instead, whose upcoming film is already getting positive feedback for its trailer.
Throw all that in with director Josh Trank’s manners during filming and overall unhappiness with the finished product, and you have a movie doomed (pardon the pun) aborning. Fox could make another one and get it right finally, but fans are petitioning them to sell the rights back to Marvel.
The latter demonstrates constantly they can do no wrong. Fox conversely shows us time and again they don’t get these characters. Maybe, then, it is time Marvel got their toys back — if it’s not too late.
