FamilyFans Movies
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FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER (PG)
Plot Summary: An alien superpower comes to earth, and the Fantastic Four superhero team must work together to save the world.
Reason for the Rating: Sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo.
If you’re looking for entertainment, pure entertainment, this is the movie to see. Is the acting superb? Well, no. Is the writing amazing? No. Is it predictable? Yes. But, Rise of the Silver Surfer is a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is just pure fun.
In this sequel, we find Reed Richards, otherwise known as “Mr. Fantastic” (Ioan Gruffud), and Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) attempting to plan the wedding of the century (think Brad Pitt marrying Angelina Jolie)…for the fifth time. Crises don’t stop for a superhero’s wedding, though (hence, the fifth attempt at getting hitched), and this time is no exception. A week before the big date it starts snowing in Egypt, the sea freezes in Japan, huge craters begin appearing all over the world, and a strange comet is now circling the earth. Who is the government to turn to, except the brainiac, Reed Richards? Although he tries to excuse himself due to the upcoming nuptials, he just can’t resist the temptation. And after the wedding is disrupted by an attack on New York City, the Fantastic Four are fully engaged in finding the Silver Surfer, an alien who has left a trail of dead planets behind him.
With the appearance of the Silver Surfer (voiced by Laurence Fishburne), Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) returns at the request of General Hager (Andre Braugher), the army general in charge of ridding the earth of the Silver Surfer. Apparently the army doesn’t understand how dangerous Von Doom really is. So, in an unusual twist, the Fantastic Four must work with Von Doom to overcome the Silver Surfer. And as the Army discovers, Von Doom still isn’t the trustworthy type.
The best part of this
movie, by far, is the Silver Surfer himself. Completely 3-D and CG, he looks
like mercury in color and fluidity. His movements are smooth, quick, and he’s
just plain cool. He flies faster than Johnny (Chris Evans), the Human Torch; is
stronger than Ben (Michael Chiklis), the Thing; and can really mix up the powers
of the foursome. Marvel Comic fans will remember the Silver Surfer, who was
introduced in 1966, and be happy to know that the screenwriters left the Silver
Surfer true to his comic book character as a rival of the Fantastic Four and
herald of destruction for Galactus.
As for the other characters, there isn’t much depth, and the conversations and plotlines are sometimes laughable. Who could believe that after five attempts at a wedding, Reed and Sue are just now realizing that “normal” family life will be impossible if they continue as superheroes? Uh, you have the power of being invisible, your boyfriend is a human rubber band, your brother is a flying flame, and your best friend is a rock man. What’s normal about that? Or, that their “private” wedding is on top of a skyscraper…the perfect view for a media helicopter or two. Yet, it’s all easily overlooked, as the movie is fun to watch.
Unlike other superhero
movies that have come out in recently, it’s not overly complicated, nor does it
try to outdo its previous episode in CG effects, storyline, or character
development. Which is amazing, really. It’s not often we see a sequel that is
just as good as the first. Interestingly, though, it does have the same message
as Spiderman 3: there is always a choice.
FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:
This movie is a great way for the family to stay cool for a few hours during the hot summer months. Take the kids, get some snacks, and have fun watching superheroes save the world.
AFTER THE SHOW:
• What choices do you make everyday that help others? Explain.
• What abilities has God given you? How do you use those to benefit others? Explain.
• If you had a superhero ability, what would it be and how would you use it to help others?
JW
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Note: All movie-related graphics in this column are standard publicity/promotional shots and are owned by their respective movie studios.