What Is It?
The sequel to "The Fantastic Four" that takes a new knod from the comic books themselves, by introducing a separate character through an existing series. The fantastic 4 of course are 4 scientist who were hit by the cloud that caused evolution on Earth, they went to space to find it, and now each has a super power that goes with their personality.
Enter, a silver man on a surfboard, (Doug Jones with voice by Laurence Fishburne) who is preparing Earth to be eaten by his master.
How was it?
If you liked the first one, this is more of it, just fresh enough that it's a continuation and not a rehash. The characters and action are fun and this still feels more like a very solid live action Saturday morning cartoon, instead of the hip gritty psuedo-reality based comic book movies that everyone else is trying to make.
Was it good for kids?
Slow body pans of girls in slinky outfits, comments to assure you that both The Thing (Michael Chiklis) and The Human Torch (Chris Evans) are sleeping with their girlfriends and God's name used whenever they get board with the “donkey” word; This film seems to have the attitude that sex is fun and free, but be a little careful how you talk about it, “there are children in the room.”
For a complete breakdown of what's on the screen check out Screenit.com.
What about spiritual issues?
In the last film there were slight references to God being a woman who simply loved and accepted everyone. In this film, Reed Richards impresses sexy girls at a club with a detailed explanation of the Big bang. Then the silver surfer is a type of Christ (Scarecrow Messiah). He is working for his “creator” who is having the Surfer prepare Earth to be eaten. The Surfer has the power to heal, but he also assists in his creators evil plans. He does so because he believes he has no choice, he has to do what he is told. (Spoiler) At the end he realizes he can chose to obey or not. Then, in the midst of his creator, he starts, balled up in a fetal position, and then stretches himself into a “Crucifix pose”, ending in an explosion, destroying himself and his creator. This is a sacrifice that saves all of Earth.
So, when the slightly veiled symbolism is all played out, we need to throw off the powers that say they rule us and kill our gods to save our world.
What is your recommendation?
There is a lot to get through here in terms of language and sexy people who are unable to fully cover themselves, to get to a final Nietzsche-esque message of all powers that tell you what to do are evil and to be rejected. I do not think it's worth the trip.
Hay, Spider-Man 3 is out there waiting for you!