Fantastic Four (I) (2005)

A group of astronauts gain superpowers after a cosmic radiation exposure and must use them to oppose the plans of their enemy, Doctor Victor Von Doom

Director:

Tim Story

Writers:

Mark Frost, Michael France,

Stars:

Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans

11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Reed Richards
Jessica Alba	...	Sue Storm
Chris Evans	...	Johnny Storm
Michael Chiklis	...	Ben Grimm
Julian McMahon	...	Victor von Doom
Hamish Linklater	...	Leonard
Kerry Washington	...	Alicia Masters
Laurie Holden	...	Debbie McIlvane
David Parker	...	Ernie
Kevin McNulty	...	Jimmy O'Hoolihan
Maria Menounos	...	Sexy Nurse
Michael Kopsa	...	Ned Cecil
Andrew Airlie	...	Compound Doctor
Pascale Hutton	...	Nightclub Girlfriend
G. Michael Gray	...	Nightclub Boyfriend

Storyline

Reed Richards, a brilliant but timid and bankrupt scientist, is convinced that evolution can be triggered by clouds of cosmic energy, and has calculated that Earth is going to pass one of these clouds soon. Together with his friend and partner, the gruff yet gentle astronaut muscle-man Ben Grimm, Reed convinces his conceited MIT classmate Dr. Victor Von Doom, now CEO of his own enterprise, to allow him access to his privately-owned space station. Von Doom agrees in exchange for control over the experiment and a majority of the profits from whatever benefits it brings. He thus brings aboard Susan Storm, his shy, though assertive chief genetics researcher and a former lover of Reed's with whom she had an acrimonious break-up, and her diametrically opposed brother Johnny, the maverick and hot-headed playboy pilot. The astronauts make it home intact; however, before long they begin to mutate, developing strange and amazing powers as a result of their exposure to the cloud! Reed is able to...

---

Plot Keywords:

radiation | astronaut | space station | fantastic four | scientist | 

---

Taglines:

Fun. Fabulous. Fantastic.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some suggestive content

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 July 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fantastična četvorka

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$13,157 (Turkey) (16 September 2005)

Gross:

$154,695,569 (USA) (23 December 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Constantin Film Produktion, Marvel Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min 125 min (extended edition)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ioan Gruffudd's efforts to keep an American accent continually were hampered by the fact he would receive new script pages on a regular basis, forcing him to learn new lines at short notice.

---

Goofs

As Susan Storm is containing the Super Nova being created by Johnny Storm her nose begins to bleed, but seconds later there is no sign of blood on her face.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Ben Grimm: Typical of Victor Von Doom to build a 30 foot statue of himself.

---

Crazy Credits

The Marvel logo features comic-book images of the Fantastic Four in its pages; it's also shaded blue, the uniform colour of the Four.

---

Connections

Referenced in I exafanisi: Episode #1.1 (2008)

---

Soundtracks

"Relax"
Written by Chingy (as Howard Bailey) and Kwame (as Kwame B. Holland)
Performed by Chingy
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

So-So Superhero Film

During a failed experiment in space, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue and Johnny Storm (Jessica Alba and Chris Evans), Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) and Dr. Victor Von Doom are bombarded by cosmic rays, changing their molecular systems and giving them superpowers. Four of them become the superhero team, the Fantastic Four, while Doom becomes their new enemy.

The Fantastic Four is far from fantastic but it does make for decent entertainment. The movie is very light-hearted and it isn't complex at all. This is good news and bad news. The good part is that the film doesn't take itself so seriously and the movie ends up being mildly enjoyable. On the other hand, it becomes silly and cheesy with laughable acting and events. Also, the movie is actually kind of dull. There are some fun spots (like the bridge scene) but there is really no spark to the film. The blame should go to Tim Story and his lack of imagination. He keeps the film bland and dull but he shouldn't get all the blame. He is working with a cheesy and weak script courtesy of Michael France and Mark Frost. If the writing had been a little better and the direction a little sharper then the film could have been better but it stands as a mediocre one.

The acting is a mix bag with some good performances and a couple of bad ones. Chris Evans gives the best performance as Johnny Storm. He seems to be having a blast and his performance is contagious. It's also nice to see something different. Usually in super hero movies, the superheroes are moody and they just want a normal life, which isn't a bad thing. However Johnny Storm actually wants to show off and he considers his new powers to be a blessing and not a curse. On the opposite side of Johnny Storm, you have Ben Grimm played by Michael Chiklis. He is the exact opposite and he wants to give rid of his powers. His situation is pretty sad since his fiancé leaves him and it's hard for him to really live a normal life. Chiklis gives a good performance and it was a little heartwarming. Jessica Alba gives a bad performance as Sue Storm. She is unconvincing as a scientist and her emotions feel fake. Ioan Gruffudd is actually somehow worse and he can't really act. His chemistry with Jessica Alba is almost non existent. The only other person worth mentioning is Julian McMahon and he plays Dr. Victor Von Doom. I think he makes a good bad guy and he gives a decent performance.

Despite the lack of quality in the film, Fantastic Four is pretty harmless. There is nothing here that should really offend anyone and it works better with kids than with adults or teenagers. The film has some things going for it though. The special effects are at least above average and the movie provides decent eye candy. As previously noted, there are some performances that stood out so the whole experience isn't a complete waste of time. However, The Fantastic Four is still a disappointment. In the end, the movie is worth a rental at the most, in my opinion. Rating 5/10