Fantastic Four: A Review

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of your homes, yet another comic book movie hits the big screen. Geeks of the world unite! Fantastic Four is another Marvel Comics classic-turned-film, pulled from the mind of uber-genius Stan Lee. The film tells the tale of a group of astronauts (Ioan Gruffudd, the yummy Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, and Julian McMahon) who are exposed to cosmic radiation (damn global warming!) which gives them super powers.

Mr. Fantastic (Gruffudd) gains the ability to stretch his body; Sue Storm (Alba) can create force fields, and become invisible at will; Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch (Evans) can control fire and take flight; and Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, (Chiklis) is transformed into a powerful rock man who is nigh invulnerable. The team's popularity soars after a daring bridge rescue, which enrages Victor von Doom, aka Dr. Doom (McMahon), who can control and manipulate electrical currents. As usual, mayhem ensues.

Fantastic Four is a very good summer flick. Chiklis and Evans have great chemistry together - especially when they're bickering - and there's plenty of "eye candy" for everyone. Alba is a fabulous babe, and McMahon - according to Mrs. Earp - is "gorgeous." It's not gonna win any Oscars - and it's no Batman Begins - but it's a highly entertaining film.