I was grievously disappointed with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. I wasn't grievously disappointed with the first Fantastic Four film, just very disappointed. But this second film definitely cut me to the quick. Deeply. I expected so much more.
In what's called, by older comic fans, the Silver Age of Marvel Comics, the arrival of Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer, is a high point in the very successful collaboration between Stan Lee, writer, and Jack Kirby, illustrator. In this landmark story, the turbulent sixties' philosophical struggle between the Flower Power hippies and the war machine Establishment is reflected in the relationship between the quintessential flower child, Silver Surfer, and his nasty job for the ultimate status quo Establishment man, the Devourer of Worlds and wielder of the Power Cosmic, Galactus. Aside from making for terrific illustrations used in those nifty psychedelic black light posters, the depth of the storyline — unusual for comic books up until then — was heavy, man, and downright righteous. But you'd not know any of that after watching this film.
Instead, what we get is more standard chuckles between Ben and Johnny, Susan's concern over how their celebrity is ruining her marriage and family plans, along with another one of her "Oh, damn, I'm nude again in public" scenes, and simplistic children's twaddle that completely erases the grandeur, nobility, and greater depth depicted in the comic book, for gosh sakes. Digest that last sentence again: the 1960s comic book storyline had more depth than this movie.
In this film, the Silver Surfer has more depth in his navel than in his relationship with the Fantastic Four or Galactus. More thought was devoted to introducing the toy-potential Fantasticar than the significance of dealing with a power cosmic wielding, mass destruction godlike being whose hunger for sustenance must be fed at all costs. It wasn't bad enough they changed this giant, purple-suited human-like being into a Dyson vacuum commercial, they also had to remove a key plot element — blind Alicia's relationship with the Silver Surfer.
In the original comic book storyline, it is Alicia's philosophical arguments and pleadings that open the Silver Surfer's eyes and long-dormant heart, causing him to turn against the big guy. Instead, Sue Storm just bats her eyes and the Silver Surfer is reminded of his long lost love; how convenient. Gone are the philosophical debates about life in all its forms being important. I suppose that's too sixties for today's more sophisticated audiences.
Article comments
1 - Bill
This message is mainly in response to Iloz Zoc. I saw the Fantastic Four "Rise of the Silver Surfer". By far he is looking to far into it. Let the movie be what it is(like all movies should)entertaining. It's not marketed for the 60's generation. It's for the generation growing up now. I brought my seven year old son, and he,like myself loved it. Yeah, you'll say this could be different,that could be different. But, all movies are like that. The Fantastic Four movie was good.Not great,but good. I do recommend it to anyone who wants to be at the very least, entertained.
2 - Temple-Man
Just got back from seeing the FF: Silver Surfer and couldn't agree more with this review. I will say, however, that after waiting over 30 years to see the Silver Surfer on the silver screen, I almost wept tears of joy at the action sequences which were a beautiful visual culmination of decades of comic panels, black light posters, cartoons and even T-shirts. At last: The "real" Silver Surfer soaring and battling through the heavens. The look was magnificent. The powers were right. Lawrence Fishburne's voice-over was right. Unfortunately everthing else about this movie missed the mark.
Clearly the writers and director just don't get what the FF is all about. They took "Hamlet" and made it into hamburger. Doctor Doom recurring as an arrogant Wall Street fop is simply tragic for the cloked, disfigured, iron-clad Hilterian dictator who preceded Darth Vader by decades in comics. I walked out of the theatre with kids who had no idea what the heck they just saw. Worse still, they had no idea what they didn't see. That's too bad because the FF/Surfer/Galactas story is one of the greatest comics stories ever told.
3 - Scott
I must say I loved this movie. I seen it with my family and we all loved it. Its about time that Hollywood realizes that not everyone wants to go to the movies and deal with deep issues. Its a shame that some movies like Spiderman and others are so involved with plots and sub plots that theres just no simple fun in them. Who wants to go to a movie and then come home and still be thinking about all that just happened? I certainly don't go to the movies for that. That's called "real" life and I don't need that in a movie. We just want to be entertained with light family fun. This movie gets 5 stars and is highly recommended for families.
4 - Tan The Man
I never thought that the FF series was supposed to have very deep themes (a la Spider-Man). I will say that the sequel was more focused than the original, but a little too much Silver Surfer and not enough FF doing what they do best - saving people (like the helicopter scene and ferris wheel scene).
5 - Lisa McKay
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and Boston.com, which will allow even more readers to enjoy it.
6 - My celebrities blog
yes, Jessica Alba is really hot. The only problem, that "fantastic four" should be about her boobs and buttocks.
And by the way, "Fantastic four" sequel seems to had big success - even better that original.