Let´s be real here, ALL of the movies released based on the Fantastic 4 have been mediocre at best and Tim Story´s Fantastic Four is probably the most dissapointing. The movie feaures a jumbled story, meanders constantly and the villian is HORRID but there is stuff that is actually pretty great. So while we wait to see if Josh Trank´s Fant4stic breaks the curse, let´s check the actual GOOD things about the first big budget version.
1.- The score: To begin with i´d like to praise the energetic and actually catchy score by composer John Ottman (X2, Superman Returns). It fits the movie and makes the action scenes all the more fun. BTW, a quick trivia: John Ottman composed 2003´s X2 and then in 2005 he did this movie. Then in 2013 Marco Beltrami wrote the score for James Mangold´s The Wolverine and now he is composing 2015´s Fant4stic. Dont know why but I find the exact 10 year difference amusing.
2.- Torch´ed: I know this is everyone´s favorite element but I have to reaffirm how GREAT Chris Evans is as Johnny Storm AKA the Human Torch. While I doubt a astronaut in his twenties would be THAT inmature that doesnt change the fact that he is so lovable and energetic that he easily steals the show. Mind you, the Torch already has the cool factor in his powers but they really needed a likable douche to portray him and thanfully, Evans delivers.
3.- Michael Chiklis: Another cast member who is honestly trying and delivers a great performance is Michael Chiklis as the lovable blue-eyed Thing. He establishes a happy man with a fun personality and that personality comes trough that makeup. When Ben is transformed into the Thing you can really feel his situation and his pain but thankfully he is not a boring downer, he still shows his lovable personality. His rubber suit is hit or miss with fans and it is very annoying that he is shorter than the other 3 but I think he looks fine. I blame Tim Story for not shooting The Thing in way that the rubber crack wont show. Seriously, that man is a hack.
4.-Ioan Gruffud: Bit of a minority here but I though he did a good job as Reed Richards/ Mr Fantastic even with the very limited material he had. He played Reed as a very insecure and likable scientist who is trying to deal with the fact that he feels guilty for the whole situation and he tries his hardest to cure his beloved friend Ben. He is a very good actor and we see his character grow as a leader and father figure and eventually he is a full leader in the sequel (dance scene excluded).
5.- Powers: The film does a good job at diplaying the individual powers of the 4, with Johnny´s fire powers and Sue´s invisibility and force fields being the highlights. We see them used their powers in a lot of unique ways and thankfully the efects never are terrible, of course there are a couple of wonky shots but for the most part is great. The standout is the Torch VS missile (seriously) chase, the fire effects look outstanding and you can see in the special features on the DVD just how much work went into it.
6.- Unrealistic Mood: This one is also hit or miss and while I dont like the "sitcom" feel to it I do like the fact that they know that they are making a Fantastic Four movie and It doesnt have to be dark. At that time we had the X-Men, Spider-Man, Blade or Hulk models to emulate and thankfully they when with a more campier version of Spider-Man. We have to give them credit for at least understanding how the material is supossed to work.
7.- Comedy?: I put a question mark because humor is fairly subjective: Some of the humor of this movie is downright DUM but there are some nice jokes in here, mostly coming from the four´s banter. Chris Evans of course has the funniest lines and its nice that they DO have a sense of humor about their movie. In fact, this movie could pass as a mediocre entry in the MCU.
Overall, this movie does contain a few gems in it and It is my ultimate guilty pleasure, I´ve seen it multiple times and I´ll probably will watch it more. Click the comments below to let me know if you agree or disagree with my take.