Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer – As Reed Richards and Sue Storm prepare for their upcoming wedding, a strange object enters Earth’s atmosphere. The big day is ruined when the object, a human-like silver alien (dubbed the Silver Surfer), turns up. As it creates huge holes around the world that go straight down to the Earth’s core, the team must stop it before it causes irreparable damage. However, the return of Victor Von Doom spells trouble as he gains the trust of the government for access to the Silver Surfer. Will the team be able to communicate with the Surfer to stop him from destroying Earth?

Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) – Director: Tim Story

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29207768

Rating: PG

Running Length: 92 mins

Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans

Genre: Comic Book, Action/Adventure

REVIEW: FANTASTIC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER

The pre-MCU sequel to 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four’ sees our quartet of superheroes fighting an alien being who, for obvious reasons’ is nicknamed ‘The Silver Surfer’. Continuing in the same colourful and light-hearted vein as the original, ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ remains so family-friendly that it struggles to find any element of grittiness needed in order compete with other comic book movies.

As with its predecessor, ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ coats the action with a superficial plot. The Silver Surfer is an interesting anti-hero but he is criminally underused, being reduced to a near-silent being whose motivations are rushed through at the end of the movie. Also, Victor Von Doom is crowbarred in, presumably to give the film an understandable villain, but his presence makes no sense when he so publicly showed his evil ways but is now almost unconditionally trusted by the government.

‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ is enjoyable simply because the team have such great chemistry and the movie doesn’t scrimp on the exciting action that comic book movies need, but overall its shallow nature sadly make this movie just a bit too forgettable.

CONTENT: IS ‘FANTASTIC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

Reed talks about his upcoming Batchelor Party and is told ‘No exotic dancers!’. At the party, Johnny presents him with two attractive young women but is told ‘They’re not exotic dancers, they’re just hot!’. A character mentions doing ‘… jello shots off someone’s stomach’ and Johnny tells Reed ‘If Sue finds out you’ll get an invisible kick in the nuts’. Although Reed enjoys dancing with two women, he clearly isn’t interested in having a bawdy night.

A woman who is wearing a short skirt gets out of a car, there is a close-up shot of her bare legs as she gets out.

Johnny asks Ben about his sex life by saying ‘How do you guys…?’, Ben gets angry and tells him to mind his own business. Johnny persists though with ‘You could wake up in the morning and find she was killed in a rock slide’.

Sue’s wedding dress is very revealing, showing much of her cleavage.

Due to her superpowers, Sue finds herself naked in front of lots of people but unable to turn invisible. She is very embarrassed and covers herself as much as possible.

One character says to another ‘You won’t mind if I break your little neck.’

The Silver Surfer is captured and the man who is tasked with interrogating him says ‘There are things I’m not allowed to do because they’re considered human rights violations. Fortunately you’re not human’.

A character is killed by being turned into rock and simultaneously shattered into pieces. This is quick and although there is a clear shot of his death, it isn’t gory or lingered upon.

A character is impaled and collapses, their loved ones are all devastated as it appears as though they are dying.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘FANTASTIC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER’ FOR KIDS?

Fun and exciting, ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ is a great superhero movie for kids even if it is shallow and laden with innuendo. We recommend this movie for kids aged 6 and over.

• Violence: 2/5 (one relatively strong death)
• Emotional Distress: 2/5 (a character is mortally wounded and their loved ones are devastated)
• Fear Factor: 2/5 (Victor Von Doom may be a little scary, especially when he puts on his mask)
• Sexual Content: 3/5 (a lot of innuendo from Johnny’s character who is the one kids are likely to warm to most so they may repeat what he says)
• Bad Language: 2/5
• Dialogue: 2/5
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of family, trust, betrayal, communication, understanding someone’s motivations and dealing with extraordinary abilities.

Words by Laura Record