>> Fantastic Four
They might sound like another group of pre-pubescent super-sleuth children dreamt up by Enid Blyton, but the Fantastic Four are in fact are a group of comic book superheroes. Now don't sigh at the news of yet another comic book adaptation. This foursome really is quite fantastic.
The Fantastic Four is not only Marvel Comics' first family of comic superheroes, they hold the accolade of being the longest running comic book series in history. X-Men eat your heart out.
What is the appeal of this rather fabulous foursome, you may ask. Well, first of all, these heroes don't conform to the usual superhero clichés: not one of them hides a secret identity and, rather than being a team, they're like a family, emotional turbulence and all.
So what is it that justifies the title 'superheroes'? What makes them comparable to such greats as Batman, Superman, Inspector Gadget and Bananaman? Well, when an experimental space voyage goes wrong, four people are changed forever by cosmic powers.
The inventor and leader of the outfit, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffud), gains the ability to stretch his body and takes the not-so-modest title of Mr Fantastic. His other half, Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), acquires the ability to turn invisible and create force fields, choosing the rather unimaginative name, Invisible Woman. Meanwhile, her younger brother, Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), becomes the Human Torch. No, that doesn't mean you can turn him on at the press of a button. It means he can control fire, shooting it from his fingertips and even covering his own body with flames. Handy. Pilot Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) perhaps gets the best deal in gaining a degree of strength that makes him super indeed. But then, he does look like a rock and ends up with the particularly unflattering title, Thing.
Together, this happy and ever so slightly dysfunctional family use their unique powers to explore the hidden aspects of the world, and to put a halt to the scheming of the dastardly Doctor Doom (Julian McMahon).
The Fantastic Four has all the vital ingredients for a feast of superhero action: the relentless battle between good and evil, scintillating special effects, lycra-clad bodies and a scary rock. Fantastic indeed.
Beccy Matthews
Director Tim Story
Starring Ioan Gruffud, Michael Chiklis, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Julian McMahon