Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some suggestive content.
Directed by Tim Story (Taxi, Barbershop…)
Starring Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, and Michael Chiklis
I don’t know if I could call the film “fantastic.” Maybe adequate or acceptable. Don’t get me wrong…I liked it, and it was entertaining. But not “fantastic.”
Maybe that’s because in the last couple of years we’ve seen some truly fantastic…maybe I should use another word…“superb” superhero films, the greatest being The Incredibles and Spiderman II. So it’s hard to follow suit with a truly “fantastic” (there I go again) film after those.
The story centers on the lives of five individuals who were exposed to cosmic radiation. Four of these astronauts- the “Fantastic Four”- use their powers for good, while trying to adjust to their new abilities and “curses.” The fifth uses his powers for his own personal gain.
The story is filled with fun action balancing suspense and humor. The characters are real and fun. They aren’t perfect…they act much like we would if we suddenly received super powers.
Other than the increasingly popular Jessica Alba, there are no superstars in the cast. But not to the detriment of the film. All the performances are solid. Sometimes fresh talent can bring a unique dimension to a film, helping us enter their world easier…because we aren’t jumping back to reality to tell ourselves, “Tom Cruise is doing really well in this role!” It reminds me of the strong performances from all of James Cameron’s supporting actors in The Abys working alongside Ed Harris and Michael Beign.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Use discernment when showing it to little kids. The film isn’t PG-13 just because of action. There are several sexual innuendos and suggestive scenes. You’ll see a woman in silky pajamas, and a brief shot of another woman in her underwear. The language isn’t a Joe Pesci film, but it’s far from The Incredibles.”
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
