What Is It?
The second attempt to bring the beloved comic to the screen. The first, in 1994, was deemed so bad that it would hurt more to release it than to take the loss. I wish more moves would have such insight.
Anyway, this one made it all the way to the screen. Based on a comic that is actually more popular, though not as hyped, than Spider Man and the X-men. It's the story of scientests who get hit with a genetic cloud in space. They then return with unusual powers and properties.
How Was It?
It felt like they had been sitting on this script since the 1970's and it just made production. I'm not just talking about the record skipping in the bar or the Jiffie pop. It seems that comic book movies have been trying to avoid being to "cartoon-ie" and "Comic bookie" (If there are mature sounding expressions for those, please let me know immidietly.) It seems as though this movie never got the memo that comic book films have to be a spoof, or have to be mature and awair or there culture and the cliches.
This does not mean it was a bad film. It was just not trying to be sophisticated, but to be fun. They constantly make small puns and references to what you know will happen. The man who will dawn the metal mask of Dr. Doom is first introduced as we see a steal statue of his human form being build. The soon to be "Mr. Fantastic" is handed a space suit. It looks strangely like the teams signature uniform. When he is told it's fibers will adjust to your body he says "that's Fantastic." Others notice that "The Human Torch" is burning, they say things like "Your on fire" or "Your Hot" and he just thanks them for the complement and moves on. This kid of dialog permiates the film
The do fun things to figuring out there powers. There is not a lot to tax the brain, but for a live action Saturday morning cartoon with a plot.. it's pretty good.
(I really really liked the Human Torch walking to the TV with a package of "Jiffy Pop" in his hand... Popping, that's fun.)
Is It Good For Kids?
There is some crudites and such. The big problem is Johny Storm's bad attitude and over active labeto. Though this annoys the other more serious members of the team, it's pretty much blown of with a "That wacky kid" attitude.
You can check www.ScreenIt.com for a complete break down of elements shown on the screen.
There are also a lot of spiritual and relational issues to look at.
How about Spiritual Issues?
Where the story is so shallow, it just feels like a nit picking laundry list to tell you the spiritual issues. Only one is actually important to the plot, the rest just seem to be stuck in... so, with out seeing any other way to do this, here is the list.
1. There is a big genetic cloud drifting through space. It is the same cloud that caused evolution on our planet. The group see there chance to study it, but get caught in it. Thus they evolve further. Though even a evolution minded scientist would say the cloud thing is just Sci Fi silliness, the premise of the movie is that evolution is a fact and if it's power could still be harnessed we could become even better.
2. Johny Storm - (Chris Evans) He is a womaniser, but a fun guy so it's OK... well not really but you will still have to explain to your kids why he comes in naked covering himself with the pick ski jacket of the cute nurse he was skiing with... and so on.
3. Sue Storm (Jessica Alba)- often accessorising with "tight and low cut"
4. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd)and Sue Storm - They talk about there failed relationship. He was supposed to "move in with her" because they were in love. He was to afraid of commitment to take what is presented here as "The next logical step." At the end of the movie (Spoiler if you don't know there relationship from the comic) he asks her to marry him. This is not because he has realised that living together with out a commitment is really just using her in the name of love, but because he is now such a romantic he is willing to skip a step.
5. Ben Grimm, (Michael Chiklis) his wife, his girlfriend, and God - Ben becomes "The Thing" all rock though still alive. He spends the beginning of the movie pining over his wife who he doesn't get to see while he is away on business. Others hold up his marriage as being great. Still, when she sees her husband is now made of rock, she leaves him with out a conversation. He later is linked romantically to a blind black woman (a bit of a nod to the original Frankenstein, the woman who can't see the monster can see the heart). Still when he first meets her he is at a bar where his huge rock body has just broken a stool.* He gets up and says "If there is a God, He hates me." Then the woman gets up and offers "There is a God, but she's not into hate."
Now, we already have the Bible's ideas on Creation, love, and chastity challenged. Now we are going after the Biblical imagery of God as a Father. Sure you can make a strong argument that the Holy Spirit in the old testament is characterised in the feminine, but that is not what we are talking about here. The statement "God is not into hate" with out clarification is very dangerous regardless of the silly gender argument. This creates a picture of a cuddly God who is not bothered by what you do, but God does hate, he hates sin for starters. As Tim Muehlhoff said "To say God is love with out saying He hates sin is to present a false god, essentially Satin in disguise."
What Is Your Recommendation?
This is a fun film. But as with all the recent Marvel based Comic book movies ** there quips about God and the workings of morality make this a movie to be on your guard about.
This summer, I would steer the older kids toward the darker, but more thoughtful Batman Begins, and let the whole family stay home and watch "The Incredibles." Hay, it strongly parodies the Fantastic Four, and has a lot more brain power, heart, and humor.
* When "The Thing" falls off the stool, look for continuity problems with his hat.
** OK, I have yet to see "Elektra" or "Blade" and the God refrences in Spider-man 2 seem benine, other than that all the Marvel Movies have odd and incorrect views on God put in.