Fantastic Four reboot: Epic Fail 2.0?

[aTOMiC]

Just read the synopsis of Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot film.

www.aintitcool.com/node/65887

(See if you can find any positive comment in the feedback section. )

This is the one that is supposed to correct all the mistakes and misunderstandings that Tim Story's two FF films had made.

This is the film that will help set the stage for Fox to make a shared universe film featuring the X-Men and FF.

After reading the synopsis...

“The Fantastic Four’ will tell the story of two very young friends, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm. After an event transforms the boys, they find themselves empowered with bizarre new abilities. Reed becomes a scientific genius who can stretch, twist and re-shape his body to inhuman proportions. Ben becomes a monstrous, craggy humanoid with orange, rock-like skin and super strength. However, the two end up being owned by the government and used as weapons. But after they mature, two others with powers come into the picture – Sue Storm “The Invisible Girl” and Johnny Storm “The Human Torch.”

Right off the bat I have a massive problem with this film. Another...origin...story....ugh...I can't take it anymore.

Thanks to The Amazing Spiderman film beating the origin story concept into the freaking ground by retelling the same origin the original Spider-man told and made abundantly clear to the record number of movie goers world wide that viewed that film in 2002 I've become very annoyed by wasting the entire first act of a film on establishing characters that don't need establishing.

My second problem is taking an unfamiliar approach to the story.
Re-imagining established characters away from the source material can work sometimes. Remember the 1998 Godzilla film? That approach worked really, really well...not!

It appears this new film is going to try to change the dynamics of the classic Fantastic Four story to a point of being nearly unrecognizable.
The synopsis and casting rumors so far suggest that the film will be targeting sci fi tweens with little or no interest in the original comics.

The bad news is that this version of the FF will be another confusing, disappointing outing destined for the $5 video pile at Wal-Mart.

The good news is that when Marvel finally re-acquires the rights to the FF they will be free to make a satisfying and entertaining film that bears little resemblance to what has gone before which is a good thing. IMHO.

[I'm Murrin]

Marvel will never reacquire the rights. That's the entire point of remaking the films every few years: it keeps the rights from expiring. (Honestly, I think Marvel are better off not integrating things like the X-Men into the same universe as their other films. Spider-Man is another issue, though, and should have a place in the MCU.)

And yeah, it seems odd that they'd come up with a completely new origin story with no connection to the comics.

[dANdeLION]

That origin story might be based off the Ultimate FF series; it's been a long time since I read it, so I'm not sure.

[aTOMiC]

That origin story might be based off the Ultimate FF series; it's been a long time since I read it, so I'm not sure.

That's probably true. I've read some feedback on other message boards saying the same thing. That version of the FF for example isn't the Fantastic Four that most fans think about. I think even fans of the Ultimates series in general would agree that its an alternative story line, not the mainstream. Let's shake things up a bit by doing a "What IF" series.

What I can't quite understand is why its been so difficult to bring the FF to the big screen. Fans of the first two films (of which there are few) offered the same kinds of comments. "I think Chris Evans was pretty good as Johnny." "Michael Chiklis really captured the Thing's personality" "The second movie was a little better than the first one." What we want is a film that makes choosing your favorite superhero film difficult. "The Fantastic Four is the best superhero film of all time!" Has never been uttered to my knowledge and with good reason. Most people compare it to Daredevil or Ghost Rider as far as how it successfully translated the comic characters to live action.
FF should have a similar feel as say The Incredibles (which IS my favorite superhero film). The film should be endlessly entertaining, clever, fearless, intelligent, fun and respectful to the source material.
I think the Avengers film did a great job of hitting on all of those points and should be an inspiration to the creative team working on the new FF film. Instead we get some drivel about special children misused by the government.

X-Men and its sequels and the Sam Raimi Spiderman are the only non Marvel studios productions that I've genuinely liked. Everything else has been a disappointment to me in one way or another, particularly The Amazing Spiderman which was and is pretty unnecessary.

I haven't been this disappointed in superhero movie news since I got the first look of Halle Berry in the Rat Hat Catwoman costume.

In any case I can't wait until Marvel has complete control over their properties once again.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

I would advise that they shelve this project then wait for the right script to come along. What will happen is that they might shoot a decent movie but too many fans will dislike it and too many people who could be fans will walk away and not return.
I like the Fantastic Four and always have. I even liked the first two movies despite my dislike of casting Jessica Alba as Susan Storm. That being said, the time just isn't right for a FF movie to be done the way it should be done. Julian McMahon captured von Doom's arrogance wonderfully--he really knows how to project that type of personality--but von Doom should have had a different way of speaking, a more formal and distinct style like what we hear when Dr. Lecter speaks. You could even cast two people as von Doom--one before he dons his armor and we see his face and one afterwards in the mask whose voice is more commanding. *shrug*

[aTOMiC]

Okay. This is getting out of hand.

www.aintitcool.com/node/65933


Again, note the comments below the article. See if you can find anyone who thinks this film is heading in the right direction.

[dANdeLION]

Why are you talking about this? You know you're right, and you also know you'll end up watching in n hopes that you're wrong. But you're not.

Anyway, why don't we talk about the Lego movie instead?

[aTOMiC]

Why are you talking about this? You know you're right, and you also know you'll end up watching in n hopes that you're wrong. But you're not.

Anyway, why don't we talk about the Lego movie instead?

BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE RIGHT!!
I want to be wrong. I want my Fantastic Four movie with no asterisks or caveats or it would have been great if onlys.
If they can make The Avengers they can make a good if not great FF movie.
But they aren't making that movie they are making someone else's FF movie and I'll have to keep waiting.

Like I'm still waiting for a good Ghost Rider film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Daredevil film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Hulk film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Catwoman film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Supergirl film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Elektra film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Green Lantern film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Spirit film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Man-Thing film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Shadow film. (I actually kind of liked the Alec Baldwin Shadow)
Like I'm still waiting for a good Phantom film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Howard the Duck film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Green Hornet film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Dr. Strange film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Flash film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Wonder Woman film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Black Panther film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Captain Marvel film.
Like I...I give up.




We don't need to talk about the Lego Movie because its going to be awesome fun and everyone agrees. Nuff said.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

Like I'm still waiting for a good Ghost Rider film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Hulk film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Spirit film.
Like I'm still waiting for a good Shadow film. (I actually kind of liked the Alec Baldwin Shadow)

I will differ with you here. The first Ghost Rider movie was actually pretty good--Nicholas Cage was right for the part of Blaze and Peter Fonda was amazing as Mephisto.

The second Hulk movie with Ed Norton wasn't bad...but I suspect the one in the works with Mark Ruffalo will be better.

The Spirit was great! Love that film. Of course, Frank Miller did the screenplay and directing so it wound up being good and he used Rodriguez's technique of shooting minimal actor actions on all green-screen background.
"Toilets are always funny!"
"Dentists.....and Nazis.....that's bad."

Baldwin's Shadow film was really pretty good; its worst downfall was a director who didn't capture the right feel. Mr. Baldwin portrayed just the right characterization, though--here is a guy who is afraid of himself despite being charged with the task of serving justice by punishing criminals. Allow the character to use some sort of mystic technique to slow his aging, bring him into the modern world, and then use either the "Shadows and Light" or (ideally) "Seven Deadly Finns" plots from the Seinkewicz/Helfer/Baker series from the late 80s and you have a sure-fire winner of a movie.

You didn't mention Punisher. The first one was excellent; didn't see the second one even though I like Ray Stevenson. You should check out the short film "Dirty Laundry", which Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman funded out of their own pockets. Mr. Jane has expressed desire to reprise the role and I think he should be given the chance.

[aTOMiC]

HL we'll have to agree to disagree about the Spirit.

The first and second Hulk films had bright moments (I preferred IH over H) but only to a certain point and most of my complaints had to do with how CGI FX were handled. The last act of IH devolved into a clip from a video game. Both the Abomination and Hulk animations were "not fully successful" IMHO.

My biggest complaint about the first Ghost Rider had little to do with Cage it centered around a pointless and completely ineffective antagonist. But that's me.

I really liked the Thomas Jane Punisher film and I've seen Dirty Laundry which only makes me wish Jane was in the second film.

We all have different tastes to be sure.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

HL we'll have to agree to disagree about the Spirit.

That isn't a problem for me--I never mind differing opinions.

My biggest complaint about the first Ghost Rider had little to do with Cage it centered around a pointless and completely ineffective antagonist. But that's me.

Wes Studi's Blackheart? I can see what you are saying given that the movie was more about Blaze/Ghost Rider than the villain. Ghost Rider was a relatively unknown Marvel character with no clearly-identified villain the audience would recognize so they just picked one who would fit in with the story. That happened in Blade, as well.

I really liked the Thomas Jane Punisher film and I've seen Dirty Laundry which only makes me wish Jane was in the second film.

Nothing against Ray Stevenson, of course, but he really should be given his own vehicle. hrm...let me see....for Marvel I would cast him as Ben Grimm, presuming I couldn't get Chiklis to reprise the role. I could also see him being the Black Knight (Dane somebody) and drop him into an Avengers lineup. Of course, he would also make an excellent Guy Gardner for DC.

[dANdeLION]

I could also see him being the Black Knight (Dane somebody)

Dane Whitman.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

Thank you. It has been a long time since I have been an active comic reader/collector.

Speaking of Black Knight, I don't think he ever got the credit that might have been due to him. Here is an otherwise mostly-normal guy who simply happens to have an enchanted sword. Sure, the sword is unbreakable, can cut through anything, and can deflect, absorb, and/or redirect energy but he has no other abilities. It takes moxie to face down someone with powers.

[High Lord Tolkien]

The FF is my favorite comic of all time.
Or it was until it got all weird.
Doom and Sue had a girl.....but it wasn't Doom?...ah...they lost me then.
Been collecting it since around issue 199.
Do they even have a monthly comic anymore?

Actually I have no idea what's being published anymore.
I check out my local shop and don't see any consistency.
My son has no desire to pick any up either, i find that sad.
He loves the superhero stuff.


The two FF movies were weak.
Had good potential.
I liked the casting and the special effects.
The angry Gov angle is just to boring and horrible.

Kate Mara might make a good Sue Storm though....that's all I care about really.

[dANdeLION]

The new FF film is out, and Rotten Tomatoes has it scored at 9%. That's pretty damn pathetic. I refuse to pay to see it in the theatre, and if I ever get the bluray, I'll get a used one so the idiots who made it won't get a dime off me.

[dlbpharmd]

One of my buddies saw it yesterday and he said he couldn't think of a single positive thing to say about it.

[aTOMiC]

The new FF film is out, and Rotten Tomatoes has it scored at 9%. That's pretty damn pathetic. I refuse to pay to see it in the theatre, and if I ever get the bluray, I'll get a used one so the idiots who made it won't get a dime off me.

Damn! I'm tired of being right all the time.

[Fist and Faith]

One of my buddies saw it yesterday and he said he couldn't think of a single positive thing to say about it.

I believe it. I don't understand why they don't know how bad it is as they're making it. As though the creative team never read comics, basing their work on a one-page synopsis of the team.

[I'm Murrin]

Seems like even the director hates it.

As for no good things to say: The Tor review suggested they actually nailed the transformation sequences pretty well, with a strong body horror aspect, which made me almost consider going to see it...

[Hashi Lebwohl]

The only reason Fox made this movie was to renew the movie rights on the franchise, even though the franchise value has been severely negatively impacted. It was okay after the first two movies (which really aren't all that bad...the first one was better, though...) but this one really turned it into "damaged goods". Why are they trying to hang on to the rights? Do they think Marvel is going to pay a premium for them now? If Marvel tries to buy them now they will get them at a discount so Fox must have something else in mind--they must be trying to cut a deal of some sort.

The only thing really wrong with the first FF move was Jessica Alba--she is the most unconvincing Susan Storm of all time and had zero on-screen chemistry with Ioan Gruffudd. Chris Evans was a really good Johnny Storm and--trivia time--is the only actor to have played two different Marvel super heroes. Michael Chiklis was a pretty darned good Ben Grimm/Thing, as well--he actually understood the character and likes him a lot.

Victor von Doom is the character they still haven't gotten right yet. Julian MacMahon did an okay job--he had the right look--but Doom is a man who clawed his way up from nothing. He was the son of gypsies (we would call them Roma these days and they are still highly discriminated against in many parts of Europe) and his father abandoned them because of his mother's magical abilities; it was only when she tried to avenge wrongs done to her people that she was given powers she couldn't control and upon refusing those powers she would up being killed. He studied magic via the books and items from his mother's belongings and science by raiding the libraries of every town they visited--his scientific accomplishments were so noteworthy that an American university granted him a full scholarship. After his failed experiment he left for the Orient, completed his magical training, then returned to his home country and conquered it

Rant over. The problem with the Fantastic Four is the same problem that most comic books suffer--writers over the years run out of ideas and then turn to ridiculous plot twists or retcons and things just start to get weird after that. Then movie executives get pitched a story by people who don't understand what they are reading because of all the weirdness from the comic books and we wind up with tons of material for Screen Junkies or HISHE (How It Should Have Ended), usually featuring Epic Movie Trailer Voice guy.