DVD Review: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (The Power Cosmic Edition, 2-Disc Set)

Watching Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is an interesting experience. Here is a comic book movie with little action and few fight sequences. It is certainly not a "thinking man's" movie as the plot is minuscule and there is very little to contemplate. Much like the Silver Surfer himself, the look is high gloss and wonderful, but there is little behind it.

This sequel to the original Fantastic Four movie features the five main actors reprising their roles: Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Julian McMahon as Victor von Doom/Dr. Doom. The first four of these comprise the superhero team of the title, the Fantastic Four, whereas Doom is their nemesis. Added to the mix for their second outing is Norrin Radd/Silver Surface voiced by Laurence Fishburne with Doug Jones as his body (with more than a little computer help).

In the film, the Surfer arrives on Earth as the herald of Galactus, an evil, world devourer (who looks like nothing more than a cloud in the movie). As his minion, it is the Surfer's job to prepare the planet for Galactus's arrival, so that Galactus may more easily suck away its life force. The Fantastic Four become aware of the Surfer's arrival when blackouts start occurring across the globe. After Johnny determines the Surfer to be evil, the team sets about formulating a plan to eliminate his power. In what has to be assumed is a nod to Star Trek, the Four use a tachyon pulse to remove the Surfer from his board (the source of his power).

Doom, who was almost dead and certainly exceedingly weakened at the outset of the film, gets his powers and freedom back simply by being close to the silver one when the Surfer flies by Doom's location. In true super-villain fashion, Doom attempts to get the Surfer's board, and the Four join up with the Surfer (as it turns out he is not so terribly bad) in order to stop Doom and prevent Galactus from devouring Earth.

As comes as no surprise (but I encourage you not to read this if you don't want to see a *spoiler*), everything works out happily in the end, with Doom dispatched but not in a way that will prevent his return, the Surfer eschewing evilness, confronting Galactus, and living to tell about it.

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

Visit Josh Lasser's author page — Josh Lasser's Blog