20th Century Fox”s “Fantastic Four” opened in theatres this weekend and was, on the whole a decided critical, box office, and audience miss.
So much so that we asked ourselves: Is the oft-reviled 2007 “Fantastic 4” sequel “Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer” in many ways a better movie than 2015″s “Fantastic Four”?
Check out the video above for our thoughts on the matter.
In brief…
Roth Says:
I don”t think any of us imagined that we”d be having this conversation even just a few months ago. Yet, here we are. We don”t want to pile on “Fantastic Four”, but look at this question as an opportunity to explore what the – inevitable – next version can learn from both the 2015 reboot and “Silver Surfer.”
There are valuable elements of “Fantastic Four” that are of great value: a talented cast, some strong effects (some less so), an interesting open. However, as Donna and I have discussed previously, the film seems to be in a constant argument with itself about what it wants to be. Additionally, it essentially consists one long first act followed by a very brief and unsatisfying conclusion. Ultimately, the sum doesn”t equal parts.
Say what you will about “Rise of the Silver Surfer” – and in all likelihood any and all of your criticisms of the film were and are well-earned – but it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Structurally, it”s more sound than this most recent reboot. Also, both Doom and Galactus are missed opportunities, but the Silver Surfer himself is actually one of the more interesting and fully-fleshed out villains we”ve had in comic adaptations. Though this isn”t a hard and fast rule, Marvel in particular has struggled to give their villains dimension.
Finally, “Silver Surfer” is arguably the most tonally resonate with the source material of any of the adaptations to date. It”s ridiculous, has horrendous effects and dialogue, makes very poor choices with many of the character interpretations – but it”s also fun to watch.
Donna Says:
It pains me to say this, but the 2007 “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” adaptation is the superior film to the 2015 reboot. Yes, the graphics are terrible, Yes, the dialogue is clunky. Yes, the villain is boring and nigh unrecognizable to comic book fans.
Yes, those descriptions fit both films. But at least “Rise of the Silver Surfer” is a fun romp instead of a dour slog. I will never forgive whoever decided to turn Galactus into a planet-eating cloud, but at least I wasn”t bored. When the 2015 adaptation stripped out the the bright, cartoony colors, they also accidentally removed the soul of the team. Without the “celebrity superhero” aspect, the training montage, the complex familial relationships, and even the basic of three-act plot structure, “Fantastic Four” sinks to the bottom while “Silver Surfer” inexplicably ‘rises” to the top.
Get our full thoughts and arguments in the video above!
Have your say!
In the final analysis, is “Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer” better than the 2015 “Fantastic Four” reboot?
Let us know what you think and follow us on Twitter for more entertainment brawls, rants, and ramblings…
Roth: @RothCornet
Donna: @MildlyAmused