Let’s just cut to the chase. But for the Atmos sound (and that’s only relevant to about four key scenes and then you still have to find a theatre equipped to play Atmos), there is nothing fantastic about “Fantastic Four”. Although based on the beloved comics, in this second cinematic reboot, the translation to the big screen fails miserably, due to, among others, (1) one of the worst scripts of the year, (2) miscasting of all, (3) lackluster performances predicated upon the poor script and miscasting, (4) action and visuals that are not only bland and flat, but with the “other world” so poorly conceived it resembles a badly painted matte background from the 1930’s with no texture, depth or imagination.
Culling elements from the original Stan Lee-Jack Kirby comics plus the 2004 “Ultimate Fantastic Four” revised works, screenwriters Simon Kinberg and Jeremy Slater, together with co-writer and director Josh Trank, make this an origin story in the truest sense of the word (all the way back to two of our heroes 5th grade selves), but somewhere between origin and film’s end, miss the growth spurts of life in-between.
Reed Richards is a science prodigy and in 5th grade is working on his vision of a teleportation machine, something poo-pooed by all except Ben Grimm, a fellow odd kid out who would become Reed’s best friend. Fast forward seven years to a high school science fair. While still subjected to the naysaying uninspired minds of his teachers, Reed’s work catches the eye of Dr. Franklin Storm and his daughter Sue. Storm heads up the Baxter Institute and one project in particular – that involving a teleportation device. Seeing Reed as the final link to making the Institute’s project come to life, Reed is brought to the Institute where he partners up with Sue, a begrudging Johnny Storm and former student scientist Victor Von Doom. And yes, Victor’s name fits him perfectly as he is truly the voice of doom. (Sadly, Ben doesn’t get to go to the Institute, but once the teleportation transport works, you know Reed brings his BFF along for the ride).
Unfortunately, a late night trip with the machine not only lands Reed, Johnny, Victor and Ben on a new planet, and possibly new dimension, it also transforms them with extraordinary powers. Reed has more stretch than a rubber band. Johnny bursts into flames and flies. Sue (trapped in some kind of energy field when she brings the boys back from a mission gone wrong) has the ability to become invisible and cast force fields, floating around in a bubble a la Glinda the Good Witch. And Ben has been turned into a rock creature with untold strength. Sadly, Victor doesn’t make it off the planet.
But with unknown and great powers – and government involvement – comes disaster and here is no different once gum-smacking, cud chewing bureaucrat Dr. Allen gets involved. Of course, Reed disappears from a “secure government facility” while the others are coerced into doing the government’s bidding in exchange for them working on “a cure” for what ails them and the once tight friendships have dissolved thanks to government lies and manipulations. And along the way, the government goons go back to the planet where they find Victor still alive, but now as pure energy encased in a metal suit welded to his body leading to the ultimate showdown.
Somewhere in the mix, any real story, real emotion, real friendships, get lost – if they ever existed at all – in the hands of these filmmakers. There is no connection between the characters but for initial fleeting moments between Ben and Reed and even in a world of science nerds, no one fits. Although there is a seriousness of tone, it belies the superhero genre. There is no fun, no lightheartedness to offset the horrors that unfold. Too much time is spent with the camera lens trained on actors with empty gazes looking at computer screens as they work towards building the teleportation module which looks stunningly similar to an Apollo capsule.
Assuming the roles of the “Fantastic Four” are Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Michael B. Jordan. Teller, more than anyone, is completely miscast as Reed. Both Teller and Jordan (Johnny Storm) have a gift and flair for sarcasm and comedic beats yet neither gets to flex those muscles and the attempt to turn Teller into a super-serious one note scientist fails miserably. Teller is better than this script, as are they all. Toby Kebbell fares a bit better as Doom, but the backstory necessary to predicate Doom’s view of the world is missing within the script. Kate Mara (Sue) and Jamie Bell (Ben/The Thing) are completely underused.
However, the worst performances come from Reg E. Cathey as Dr. Storm and Tim Blake Nelson as Dr. Allen, the latter of whom apparently believes chomping gum like cow cud is equivalent to a powerful manly swagger. It’s not. Cathey on the other hand is a one note piece of stone obviously trying to channel Samuel L. Jackson but never even being on the same planet.
As mentioned, sound design is wonderfully effective with Atmos but key for the audience is finding a theatre capable of playing Atmos. Visual FX with teleportation module are also well done with a slick glossy feel, yet are nothing original or earth shattering.
There have been enough bites at the “Fantastic Four” apple. It’s now soured beyond recovery.
Directed by Josh Trank
Written by Simon Kinberg, Jeremy Slater and Josh Trank
Cast: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kata Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell
