THE FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER

US, 2007, 92 minutes, Colour.
Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian Mc Mahon, Kerry Washington, Andre Braugher, Doug Jones (voice: Laurence Fishburne).
Directed by Tim Story.

When the first Fantastic Four film came out in 2005, it was considered a lesser effort and production compared with the ‘big’ adaptations of comic strip characters like Batman, Superman, Spiderman or the X Men. This was true. However, in its modest way, it was a straightforward entertainment with entertaining characters, stunts and effects, four mutant superheroes along the lines of the X men but less high profile, more down to earth, so to speak. The other factor was that the plots were less complicated, heroes and villains clearly delineated, some comic touches – and a general treatment that made the film acceptable PG action.

And this is true of this sequel. The four are now familiar and can illustrate their abilities without having to explain them. Reed Richards (Ioann Gryfudd) can stretch when need be. Sue (Jessica Alba) can become invisible as she wishes. Johnny (Chris Evans) can fire up instantly and pursue enemies through the air and Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) looks even more granite boulder than before. The film has Reed and Sue about to get married, but the ceremony is interrupted so that the world can be saved. The writers also work into the plot some humour where each of the Four is affected by the Silver Surfer and, with a touch, can absorb the powers of the other – some jokes here as Johnny turns into stone etc.

The Silver Surfer rides a cosmic surfboard. Coming from a dying planet, he swoops over the earth with instant ice storms, or solidifying harbours or causing blackouts in LA. He also (conveniently) passes over the prison where past villain Victor Von Doom (Julian Mc Mahon) has been held since the last film and frees him. Von Doom is smart and teams up with the singleminded military commander (Andre Braugher) to work with the Four to defeat the Silver Surfer. But his plans, of course, are egotistical and power-hungry.

Action sequences are enjoyable. The Silver Surfer (voiced by Laurence Fishburne) turns out to have his own sad story. And the world is saved again, even if this time Reed and Sue have to hurry through their marriage ceremony to get back to more heroics.

1.The popularity of film versions of Marvel comics? The appeal, younger audiences, older? Heroes and heroines? The blend of the ordinary and extraordinary? The opening with the cosmic credits?

2.The plausibility of the plot, fantasy, destruction of the world, saving the world?

3.The special effects – for each of the main characters: Reed and his stretching, Sue and her invisibility, Johnny and his fire, the appearance of Ben? The effects for the picture of the universe, the world, the cosmic destruction all over the world, freezing the harbours, the blackouts? For the Silver Surfer? For Victor von Doom, for the battles? The musical score?

4.The entertainment value of the stunt work – for Reed, for Sue, for Johnny, for Ben? For their interchanging and using each other’s effects?

5.The cosmic opening, the rise of the Silver Surfer, his serving of Galactus, the destruction all over the world, Japan, the freezing, the snow, the blackouts? The effect of the Surfer? The surfboard? Separating the Surfer from the board? The role of the military, the military machine? Reed and his investigations, trying to track down the Surfer? Susie and her talking to the Surfer, his choices? The resurrection of von Doom? His collaboration with the military? The takeover? The threats to Sue? The choices, the confrontation with the Silver Surfer? His choice for good? The Silver Surfer as an icon, Laurence Fishburne’s voice?

6.Reed, his reputation, his gift of stretching – as illustrated in saving people? His being affected by Johnny and the fire? His relationship with Sue, the preparations for the wedding, the interrupted wedding? His building the machine to track the Silver Surfer? The link with General Hager? His relationship with the rest of the group? The confrontation? The final ceremony – and the commitment to saving the world?

7.Sue, her gift, love for Reed, preparations for the wedding, the incident and her invisibility? Waking up without clothes? Her love for Reed and the ceremony, the interruption? Her involvement in saving the world – and the discussions with the Silver Surfer, issues of choice? The final ceremony?

8.Johnny, cheeky, the fire, chasing the Silver Surfer? The risks? The military? His touching the other people – his becoming stone like Ben? The final confrontation and pursuit?

9.Ben, stone, his being transformed to his ordinary look and with the fire? His relationship with Alicia, her blindness? Her support?

10.The military assistant, Johnny flirting with her?

11.The military, the jocks and the nerds? The demands? Collaboration with von Doom? The destruction and their dealing with it? General Hager?

12.Von Doom, his resurrection from prison? The offer to help, his plan, using the military, separating the Surfer from the board? Wanting world power?

13.Reed and Sue, the wedding comedy, the minister? The preparations, the ceremony, interruptions, their decision about having a family and yet still saving the world? The problem about Venice sinking?

14.The blend of the comic and the serious? Warm characters? The bonds between them? Comic strip heroes?