"Fantastic Four" (movie critique)

FANTASTIC FOUR
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and 2 other friends went to the local Movie Tavern to see the latest incarnation of a superhero movie derived from Marvel Comics. This time it was the "Fantastic Four" - for yet a third time.

The story starts with a young boy named Reed, who is a "geek" and is building a teleporter machine.   The other kids and even his teacher ridicule him and his ideas.  He does find one friend Ben, who helps him find parts for the machine and believes Reed can make the teleporter work. 

Miles Teller

Jami Bell

As teenagers Reed and Ben (Miles Teller and Jamie Bell) present their finished teleporter at the school's science fair.  They are able to make a model airplane disappear and then re-appear (a little worse for wear).  But their exhibit is ruled inadmissible and the project is rejected from the competition. But then 
Dr. Franklin Storm (Reg E Cathey) and his daughter Sue (Kate Mara) arrive at the exhibit and talk to Reed about his invention. Storm then recruits Reed to come study and work for him at a secret science lab.  There Reed is teamed with Sue and Johnny (Michael B Jordan), who is Storm's son and also Victor (Toby Kebbell), a reclusive scientist.  Victor takes an immediate dislike to Reed. (dum dum de dum)

Red E Cathey

Michael B Jordan

Toby Kebbell
(boo hiss)

When the time comes, as it must, to test the teleporter machine, Reed, Victor and Johnny decide that they should be the first humans to test it.  But Reed goes and finds Ben and asks him to come and join in this new adventure - and he does.

So the four guys strap themselves into the teleporter machine and all systems are go - and they do.  They arrive in another dimension and see all the possibilities this dimension could do to help Earth.  But then it goes horribly wrong.  The energy source erupts and Victor falls and is thought to be lost. Sue tries to help retrieve the others back to Earth. But all 5 are drastically changed forever - 4 for good and 1 for evil.

Well of course it had to happen!  How else would these superheroes get their super powers?

Dear Readers, would like you like to know what these super powers are?  OK, here you go!

Sue - can become invisible and can generate a force field (Storn)

Johnny - can engulf his entire body in flames and fly  (The Human Torch)

Ben - is covered in a a rock-like hide and is BIG and strong  (The Thing)

Reed - can shape his body any way necessary, stretching out his limbs and even contorting his face  (Mr Fantastic)

Victor  - can control the elements and has telekinetic abilities (Victor Von Doom)

This movie tells the story of how the Fantastic Four and Victor Von Doom met, how they were changed and then it set up the possibilities of more adventures to come - well maybe depending on the box office receipts!

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a heat shield, mostly based on the special effects.



Disclaimer:   The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.