Fantastic Four (2005 film): Difference between revisions

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The film adaptation of [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]]'s [[Fantastic Four|the comic book of the same name]]. Or rather, it is based on the same general continuity and universe as the original [[Fantastic Four (Comic Book)|comic]] with some elements borrowed from [[Ultimate Fantastic Four]].

For the never-released 1990s film adaptation, see ''[[The Fantastic Four (~~Film~~)|The Fantastic Four]]''.

For the never-released 1990s film adaptation, see ''[[The Fantastic Four (film)|The Fantastic Four]]''.

There are two movies in the current ''Fantastic Four'' movie franchise thus far:

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Ten years after the first [[Ashcan Copy]] [[The Fantastic Four (~~Film~~)|adaptation in 1994]], Constantin Films, still holding the movie rights, were confident that such a big project was possible. The result was a $100 million film directed by Tim Story and starring [[Ioan Gruffudd]], [[Jessica Alba]], [[Michael Chiklis]], and [[Chris Evans]] as the titular Fantastic Four. The movie explored their origin story and the subsequent battle with [[Victor Von Doom]].

Ten years after the first [[Ashcan Copy]] [[The Fantastic Four (film)|adaptation in 1994]], Constantin Films, still holding the movie rights, were confident that such a big project was possible. The result was a $100 million film directed by Tim Story and starring [[Ioan Gruffudd]], [[Jessica Alba]], [[Michael Chiklis]], and [[Chris Evans]] as the titular Fantastic Four. The movie explored their origin story and the subsequent battle with [[Victor Von Doom]].

The film was widely publicized with some very high [[HSQ]]-laden action-sequences in previews, which caused two main responses to it after the release: one, for those (especially casual moviegoers) who turned up to see the action film, and were disappointed that they got a sc-fi dramedy instead; and a second (especially fans of the comic book), who were disappointed that the sci-fi elements of the original material were toned down in an attempt to make the movie lean towards the action [[Spectacle]]. Both sides unanimously agreed, however, that Mike Chiklis' was a brilliant and realistic performance as The Thing; and was easily the best part of the film. And that the soundtrack was pretty awesome.

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- A sequel, which is about...[[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|The Silver Surfer]], the "herald" for the planet-consuming being [[Galactus]], who in this movie is {{spoiler|a giant planet-eating cloud}}. Loosely based on the [[Ultimate Marvel]] Gah Lak Tus Trilogy written by [[Warren Ellis]].

- A sequel, which is about...[[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|The Silver Surfer]], the "herald" for the planet-consuming being [[Galactus]], who in this movie is {{spoiler|a giant planet-eating cloud}}. Loosely based on the [[Ultimate Marvel]] Gah Lak Tus Trilogy written by [[Warren Ellis]].

Some reviews rated the film higher than its predecessor, but only slightly. And it didn't make as much money, thus making any further films unlikely. However, there are currently plans to reboot the film series.

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* [[Die or Fly]]: Johnny

* [[Disposable Superhero Maker]]: [[Played With]]; the cosmic storm is a once-in-millenia event but Reed manages to recreate it in his lab (yeah) and... well, we don't know what exactly he did with the machine, 'cause it's never revealed in the movie.

* [[Distracted By the Sexy]]: Subverted. It looks for a second like Reed is staring at Sue in her skin-tight outfit; but then...

* [[Distracted by the Sexy]]: Subverted. It looks for a second like Reed is staring at Sue in her skin-tight outfit; but then...

{{quote| "Wow! Fantastic! Material made from self-regulating unstable molecules!"}}

* [[Doing It for ~~The~~ Art]]: One of Chiklis' requirements for accepting the role of the Thing was that his character would be make-up based, rather than the CGI everyone else had previously assumed. This meant that Chiklis insisted upon hours of application and wearing heavy, uncomfortable makeup, over the option that would have allowed him to earn the same money in significantly less time simply by voice acting. Why? Because Chiklis was a fan who knew that underneath the rock skin, Ben Grimm's still a human being, and this was best shown by having his actor go through the same thing.

* [[Doing It for the Art]]: One of Chiklis' requirements for accepting the role of the Thing was that his character would be make-up based, rather than the CGI everyone else had previously assumed. This meant that Chiklis insisted upon hours of application and wearing heavy, uncomfortable makeup, over the option that would have allowed him to earn the same money in significantly less time simply by voice acting. Why? Because Chiklis was a fan who knew that underneath the rock skin, Ben Grimm's still a human being, and this was best shown by having his actor go through the same thing.

* [[Dramatic Irony]]: The scene shot from Ben Grimm's POV, when he wakes up after being hit by the cosmic storm. [[It Was His Sled|Everyone watching the film knows he turns into the Thing]], so when Johnny Storm says, "Everyone else is fine." we think we know what's wrong with Ben. Then it turns out that Johnny is making fun of Ben's ''human'' looks.

{{quote| '''Johnny Storm''': [[Funny Aneurysm Moment|I'm sorry, but the doctors just couldn't do anything to fix your face.]]}}

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* [[Genius Bruiser]]: One of the few versions where Ben Grimm (The Thing) is just as clever and savvy as you'd expect from a former test pilot and astronaut. Even [[Book Dumb]] is averted with him.

** This is best seen in ''RotSS'' when Reed is given photos of a 'comet' (actually the Silver Surfer) that's entered the Earth's atmosphere. Reed immediately hands the photos to Ben, who points out that the object can't be a comet because "the trail's all wrong". A subtle but brilliant nod to Ben's astronaut career.

* [[Gratuitous Russian]]: In a wild example of [[As Long As It Sounds Foreign]], the name of the Latverian ship {{spoiler|in the [[Sequel Hook]]}}. "Головка пальца ноги" stands for "Head of toe" and made the scene obscenely yet understandably hilarious for Russian viewers.

* [[Gratuitous Russian]]: In a wild example of [[As Long as It Sounds Foreign]], the name of the Latverian ship {{spoiler|in the [[Sequel Hook]]}}. "Головка пальца ноги" stands for "Head of toe" and made the scene obscenely yet understandably hilarious for Russian viewers.

* [[How Do I Shot Web?]]: Reed and Ben don't have much difficulty figuring out their powers but Sue and Johnny have a some trouble with it at first. This is the rare franchise to manage this again in the sequel with the four struggling to use each ''other's'' powers.

* [[Ho Yay]]: Johnny is so hot for Reed too.

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'''Ben''': [[Ho Yay|I'll show you a rockslide!]] }}

* [[Jerkass]]: Johnny's over enthusiasm could be explained for himself, but his joking at and exploitation of Ben honestly makes you wish you could smash up his pretty car too.

** In the second movie he falls squarely into [[Jerk ~~With~~ a Heart of Gold]] territory as it becomes apparent that some of his antics [[Sad Clown|mask his own insecurities.]]

** In the second movie he falls squarely into [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]] territory as it becomes apparent that some of his antics [[Sad Clown|mask his own insecurities.]]

* [[Jumped At the Call]]: The Human Torch, but only because there was no higher calling than getting girls and making money.

* [[Laser-Guided Karma]]: Whilst it doesn't last long, Johnny accidentally switching powers with Ben & becoming the Thing after all the crap he puts Ben through. Ben ''clearly'' enjoyed it.

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* [[Power Perversion Potential]]: "Is it true what they say about him, that he can expand ''any'' part of his anatomy?" Cue "whooooooo"s from the girls standing around.

** To say nothing of Johnny riding the elevator on the Baxter Building up & down all day, and raising the temperature whenever a hot chick stepped in so that she wound up taking her clothes off...

* [[Powers As Programs]]: In the first movie Reed figures out how to remove and restore their powers. Which gives Ben Grimm a chance to quickly get over his angst.

* [[Powers as Programs]]: In the first movie Reed figures out how to remove and restore their powers. Which gives Ben Grimm a chance to quickly get over his angst.

** In the second movie Johnny's form becomes unstable causing him to swap powers with the others whenever they touch.

* [[Promoted Fanboy]]: Michael Chiklis has been a comic book fan since he was a kid. [[Captain Obvious|Guess which one was his favorite.]]

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* [[We Can Rule Together]]: Doom makes this offer to the Silver Surfer. {{spoiler|It gets turned down, but at least in the following struggle Doom's body ends up restored.}}

* [[Wedding Smashers]]: Sorry, Sue...

* [[What Could Have Been]]: The 2005 film was originally meant to be, in executive producer Chris Columbus' words, "the most epic sitcom ever made", and they were consciously ''trying'' to duplicate the formula that had resulted in the utter failure of ''[[Batman and Robin (~~Film~~)|Batman and Robin]]'' -- Columbus' reasoning being that while ''Batman'' wasn't an appropriate franchise to attempt such a formula, ''The Fantastic Four'' was. After a few years in [[Development Hell]], the arrival of Tim Story (who, ironically, was mostly known as a comedy director) and writer Mark Frost finally pushed the film in the right direction.

* [[What Could Have Been]]: The 2005 film was originally meant to be, in executive producer Chris Columbus' words, "the most epic sitcom ever made", and they were consciously ''trying'' to duplicate the formula that had resulted in the utter failure of ''[[Batman and Robin (film)|Batman and Robin]]'' -- Columbus' reasoning being that while ''Batman'' wasn't an appropriate franchise to attempt such a formula, ''The Fantastic Four'' was. After a few years in [[Development Hell]], the arrival of Tim Story (who, ironically, was mostly known as a comedy director) and writer Mark Frost finally pushed the film in the right direction.

** This feel is best seen in the hilarious breakfast scene and the montage that follows it. The whole thing plays out like an hilarious cross of ''[[Leave It to Beaver]]'' and ''[[~~The Addams Family (TV)|~~The Addams Family]]''.

** This feel is best seen in the hilarious breakfast scene and the montage that follows it. The whole thing plays out like an hilarious cross of ''[[Leave It to Beaver]]'' and ''[[The Addams Family]]''.

* [[What the Hell, Hero?]]: "All I've seen is a guy who almost got his team killed."

* [[With Catlike Tread]]: In Rise of the Silver Surfer, they decide that the only way to get the Silver Surfer's board back from Dr. Doom is to use The Human Torch's new "powers" to combine all their abilities to allow him to fly, but also be as strong as The Thing, and be invisible so he can sneak up on Doom. It works perfectly and he gets to within 2 feet of Doom. But rather than just knock him out, he has to say "To quote a friend, It's clobbering time." thus blowing the cover and starting a drawn out battle..all while the Earth is about to be destroyed.