Infinite MonkeysStephen Hunter, one of the best movie reviewers in the country whose analysis and writing talent command respect, gives dire news about The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. A taste of the scorn:
Surely the dullest of Hollywood's many comic-book-derived summer movies, "Silver Surfer" is drearier than corn dying in the Iowa sun, slower than molasses in Antarctica. ...So many flaws, so little time. Hmmm, we could waste a few minutes on the total absence of chemistry between the dweebs and dweebette known as the Fantastic Four, and if you still want to go with "Fantastic," maybe there's a lawsuit in your future. Or maybe we could try to discern whose eyes are deader: poor Jessica Alba, who looks like she got a concussion on the field hockey meadow from some 300-pound hormonally confused midfielder with a grudge; or Michael Chiklis, laboring under 700 pounds of rock disguise. Or what about actual actor Ioan Gruffudd, hiding his Welsh gravitas behind a cheesy Yank accent as he affects the enthusiasms of a Real Smart Science Guy Who Turns to Rubber.
Ugh. The trailer looks so cool. The Surfer looks so cool. But maybe after the terrible Spidey 3, the so-so Superman Returns, yet another dud for The Fantastic Four will finally kill off the superhero movie genre. Let's just declare it over now, and appreciate that X-Men 3 was the last good one.
Posted by Dr. Zaius at June 15, 2007 04:20 PMX-Men 3 good? Wha? Well, maybe I only saw the first two. It hasn't been too long since I watched 'em together at home and I can't remember. That's not a good sign.
No, the ony one of the entire broad genre I've been able to stomach has been Batman Begins. (Hat tip to Robb for the loan.)
Okay, the first Spidey was pretty good too, but not Batman Begins good.
Posted by: Monkey Brad at June 15, 2007 07:02 PM