I was expecting this to be a weak film, but FF surprised me. It's better than The X-Men. The pacing was very good, and they made some good screenwriting and editing choices when dealing with the age-old superhero origins problem when it comes to films like this. Marvel purists had better steer clear though, as they take liberties with the origins of Stan Lee's first children (as well they should, since writing for screen is far different from writing for comics).
So. Ioan Gruffud and Jess are Reed Richards and Sue Storm, Mike Chiklis, looking very Shield-like, is Ben Grimm, and they cast some young guy as Johnny Storm. Chiklis turns in the best performance, as Grimm is the best-developed character of the bunch anyway. If you need an example of pretty good acting with a lot of prosthetics on, look no further. Jessica looks great, and I'm happy they added the bit where she strips down when ghosting, then loses control and becomes visible again. Yes, it's juvenile, but I'll be getting the DVD for it. :)
Bottom line: All in all, a very effective hero film despite Mr. Nip/Tuck being his usual wooden self as Viktor Von Doom. He radiated all the menace of a fire hydrant. Worth your time esepcially if you like superhero flicks, or Jessica Alba. (2.5/4 stars, blame Mr. Demon Boyfriend for a half-star loss.)
Good thing the movie had her to balance out Mr. Suck.
On with the return flight film.
This one had the hype. Bats Begins was supposed to be the best Bats film ever, eclipsing the Burton/Keaton/Jack original.
It was good, but I beg to differ. Batman had Burton's sense of style, and had Jack's overpowering Joker to contrast the understated Keaton Bats. Here, Bale's Bats is an alpha dog in is reworked background, the vigilante's vigilante. And c'mon... The Scarecrow? No one's afraid of the Scarecrow, despite the film's theme on fear.
Bats Begins remains a solid, watchable film that barely avoids taking itself a bit too seriously. I don't see what all the howling about Katie Holmes is about. She was given the girlfriend bit role, she does what she can with it, and she doesn't kill the movie. That's no more than was expected, eh? Besides, I like Katie. (Forget the Tom thing, ok? She was perfectly decent in Dawson's Creek.) Morgan Freeman is an afterthought to add a bit of star power in a throwaway role.
Bottom line: Solid alternative Batman movie, almost but not quite as good as the original Burton Batman. Worth your time. (2.5/4 stars)
