"Fantastic Four" DVD Review

"Fantastic Four" is an acquired taste. The first time I watched the movie in the theater I thought it was kind of goofy and just for fans of the comic book series. But watching the movie on DVD at home - with the ability to talk back to the film without getting yelled at - was actually a pretty fun experience. It's still not what I consider one of the better superhero movies, but it is worth picking up as a rental if you're looking for a fun 'popcorn' flick.

Five scientists head into space and find themselves the victims of cosmic radiation in "Fantastic Four," based on the popular comic book series and directed by Tim Story ("Barbershop"). Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, and Ioan Gruffudd star in this superhero movie in which the superheroes don't hide their powers and the villain (Julian McMahon) never pretends to be anything but nasty.

Radically altered by their accidental exposure to radiation, Alba can become invisible, Gruffudd can stretch to incredible lengths, Evans can set himself on fire without fear of bodily harm, and Chiklis transforms into a monstrously strong creature nicknamed The Thing. Together the group make up the Fantastic Four, fighting evil while fighting it out with each other over how best to make do with their new abilities.

DVD BONUS FEATURES

I'm a big fan of cast commentary tracks and "Fantastic Four" delivers a pretty decent one - at least parts of it are worth listening to. Although Jessica Alba starts most of her commentary with a question to Michael Chiklis or Ioan Gruffudd (or a comment on how ill she was on that day of shooting), it's still a fairly entertaining track. Chiklis in particular really does a great job of pointing out things that fans/audiences want to know, including specifics on the background items in scenes. Other high points of the bonus features include the making of a scene featurette and the man himself, Stan Lee, discussing the cast.