Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Review

Like most kids I was huge on comics as a kid, and my universe was the Marvel universe. Even if I didn't read a particular comic series, I was well versed on those characters since they all intertwined at one point or another, and such is the case with the Fantastic Four.

I had heard that the original Fantastic Four feature film was junk, and I have yet to see it so I can't comment, however a few weeks ago some friends and I decided to go check out the sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

In short, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is an entertaining comic book film that captures its essence very well; it's a comic book film done right with all the flare and cheese that one so entails.

The film begins with strange disturbances and weather patterns happening all across the globe, however the world's premiere team of super heroes, the Fantastic Four, are too busy preparing for the wedding between Mr. Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd) and the Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba) to get involved. After the defeat of Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon) from the first film (where I presume that he was presumed dead), the Fantastic Four are global heroes, but the media attention and expectations are stressing the team's dynamics, and also their basic desire to live somewhat normal lives. This is especially true for the Invisible Woman, who wants her pleasant wedding and to ultimately raise a child, while the Human Torch (Chris Evans), on the other hand, can't get enough of stardom as he pursues media licenses, money, women, and everything else he feels he has coming to him.

Enter the Silver Surfer (Voiced by Laurence Fishburne), the herald of a much greater threat whom the Fantastic Four eventually must deal with. The reveal of the Surfer is great, and the resulting chase sequence is nothing short of an action packed, visual splendor.

Once the magnitude of what the Surfer represents becomes known, the Four must set aside their own infighting and band together once more, which is easier said than done, especially with the re-emergence of an old enemy who appears to be on the right side this time.

The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer features great effects, from subtle to all out battles, throughout the whole film, and the musical score compliments the action very well, but the heart and soul of the film is simply in the relationship between the Four themselves; the fact that they're a dysfunctional family needing to do what's right.

The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is certainly one of the best films released this summer, and it'd be a shame for you to miss it. It is a comic book through and through, providing plenty of action, humour, and flare. Check it out while you can!