Well, here we are folks. Our last stop, next month it's First Steps.
Fantastic Four is a comic book movie based on the Marvel Comics' team of the same name, only this time around taking more of an inspiration from their Ultimate versions. It's not only the fourth movie based on Marvel's first family but a reboot to the film series. Production was done by a whole list of companies. Those being 20th Century Fox, Constantin Film, Marvel Entertainment, Marv Films, Kinberg Genre, TSG Entertainment, and finally Moving Picture Company. 20th Century Fox also distributed. Josh Trank directed but also wrote the story along with Simon Kinberg and Jeremy Slater.
The story is, young & brilliant scientist Reed Richards has built a prototype teleporter which has got the attention Professor Franklin Storm. Soon Reed is joined with his childhood friend Ben Grimm, Sue Storm, Sue's brother Johnny, and Victor Von Doom. Just when they thought they've successfully discovered interdimensional travel with what they dubbed Planet Zero it all goes wrong. While Reed, Ben, Sue, and Johnny learn how to control their new abilities, Victor who was thought to be dead plans something that'll endanger everyone.
- Negatives
Oh it's sad how there's so many negatives. Let's start with the pacing. At first it starts off has a really good slow burn, but once we jump ahead one year later that pacing changes drastically. Now the second act is going by quick but steady then when the third act comes by it just doesn't take time to slow down.
Then there's Doctor Doom. They were setting up a really good tragic arc with him. During the early parts of the story he's set up as brilliant but disillusioned scientist. Then after the Planet Zero disaster we don't see for quite awhile. But when he finally comes back he's just a generic villain. And he wasn't supposed to be this way. When Toby Kebbell (the actor who played Doom) was interviewed he mentioned how a lot of his character building scenes were cut. Pre-transformation we would've seen his insecurities and post-transformation we would've seen his decent into madness. But since these scenes were cut by 20th Century Fox we didn't get to see this development. So now Doom has no connection to the Four and dramatic lines like "There is no Victor, Only Doom" don't work because he didn't get an organic transformation.
Now let's move onto to the tone. I forgot how much tonal whiplash this movie was. During the first act, Gee I'm starting to wonder which act was mostly Josh Trank! Anyways, during the first act it seems like we were gonna get something different from other superhero films. Yes, there is a more darker tone but, that first act felt like we were getting a good coming-of-age story with a mix of intellectual curiosity. Then we after that really good intense Planet Zero escape and we go to the Four in the hospital, it's like a freaking body-horror film and it's masterfully done. Then after the time jump to one year later, that tone just vanishes and we're left with a generic action flick.
Then there's the filmmaking, oh boy the way this movie is presented. If you thought the theatrical cut of Justice League was a Frankenstein of a movie, just watch this. I remember going to see this on opening day with my buddy Brian along with his brother and dad and afterwards I was dumbfounded by what I saw. I couldn't believe how these reshoots were ever allowed to be in this. First let me show you a photo.
Let me ask you a question. Which one looks like Kate's actually hair and which one is her reshoot wig? And it's not just Kate's hair that suffered, but also a lot of scenes/stories. At first the three members of the Four were held in containment but then we jumpe one year later they're now out of containment and their more heroic with no explanation at all. There's also the third act where it's Fantastic Four vs. Doctor Doom. There are some very jarring noticeable cuts during that fight that have scenes that might have been cut or restructured. Either way it's plain as day this movie was messed with whether you're aware of the movie's history or not.
- Mix
Now I do give credit to the cast. From Miles Teller to Kate Mara to Michael B. Jordan to Jamie Bell to the previously mentioned Toby Kebbell. They still tried, they tried their hardest to still give some good performances. And yes their performances were good it's just the poorly stitched together material was hard to work with.
- Positives
Really the only slight good thing I good say is there is a glimmer of a good movie here. But it's mixed up with a bad one.
Fantastic Four (2015) suffered from massive studio interference and I hate what 20th Century gave us, just because they decided to chase after MCU hype as suppose to standing out from the crowd.
My final rating is, Awful.
A Statement
I know this movie is gonna be ten years old in two months but I hope Josh Trank gets his Trank Cut. If Zack Snyder can get a Snyder Cut for Justice League, then Josh should have one for Fantastic Four. I don't care how it happens. Fan hashtags/movements, grace of God, planetary alignment, or a combination of all three. I want Josh to have his director's cut.
So that's gonna do for now. Come back on Saturday, Jun 14th for my review of Pixar's newest movie, Elio. Until then, enjoy the rest of your day.
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