Fantastic Four 2015 (12/15/2015)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, and language.

Starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell and Tim Blake Nelson

Directed by Josh Trank (Chronicle)

There was nothing Fantastic about this reboot.

Fantastic Four, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.

If you read our reviews you know that I’m a huge fan of the superhero films that have been released over the past ten years or so. I have seen them all and enjoyed most of them. My expectations are usually pretty high, but I walked into the theater on opening weekend expecting a dud…and that’s exactly what I got.

So why were my expectations so low when so many other Marvel and DC films have been so good? Well first of all the Fantastic Four are Marvel characters but not made by Marvel Studios. So unlike Avengers, IronMan, Thor and others this film was made by Fox. And it has been no secret that Fox and director Josh Trank had some very serious disagreements.

It goes without saying that Fantastic Four is a lousy movie.

There is no real enemy or villain in Fantastic Four. In fact there’s not a lot of character development. Instead of building tension in the story Trank fast-forwards over way too much important information. Especially when the characters are developing their powers and getting used to them. One minute they’re in an accident, and the next they are masters of their new abilities.

The sad fact about Fantastic Four is that every character is unlikable and there’s no chemistry between the cast – which is shocking considering the actors are pretty talented. It takes a special kind of talent to mess up a movie starring four of today’s most talented young actors.

Because I just didn’t care about any of the characters, I struggled to stay interested…and at times I struggled to stay awake. Everything before the inevitable rise of Doom is just plain monotonous and painfully dull.

Then there are the plot holes…seriously, so many plot holes. Like Dr. Doom the mad “genius” uses boulders to fight The Thing?! And Reed Richard is building a teleportation device because… he can? And rather than hire skilled researchers, the government hires four teenagers to tackle these important operations because… nepotism? And Ben gets to go to another dimension because he’s a friend? Dr. Doom becomes evil because he’s jealous? Or because he’s angry? Or vengeful? Or is he controlled by Planet Zero’s elements? What’s the deal? Then again who cares?

Actually I care because I spent over $10 to see this film so can anyone answer my question? Why does Doom want to destroy the world suddenly? Doom can blow up heads by just looking at them but never uses that power on the four heroes, why? Why doesn’t the Thing have a containment suit or pants? Why don’t they ever give Dr. Doom a containment suit? How do the containment suits even work? What is Planet Zero? And it that really the best name for it?

Ok, now I’m done.

There are just so many story elements that never get explained or resolved. The stellar cast looks lost and the departure from the rich source material is extremely disappointing.

This $120 million film made less than $26 million on it’s opening weekend making it one of the biggest flops of the year…it’s also a “Coaster.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity and the language is fairly tame.

Doom kills dozens of people, some of them in a graphic manner, with blood splattering on the wall or heads exploding. Characters are killed in all sorts of ways.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. How old are the Fantastic Four in this film?


2. How do adults treat them?


3. Have you ever been treated poorly because you are young?

Read 1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity.


4. What does this verse tell us to do when we are in that situation?


5. How can you be an example to the adults in your church?