Grittier reboot for ‘Fantastic Four’

MARA, TELLER, JORDAN AND BELL. Marvel’s first superhero group revisits its origins—with mixed results

With great power comes great responsibility—and, in the case of Marvel’s first superhero group, a Nolan-esque twist of fate the “Fantastic Four” must work hand in hand to get out of! If you find the concept grittier than the film franchise’s 2005 incarnation, it’s no accident that behind this provocative riff on the superhero myth is director Josh Trank, whose “found-footage” spin on metahumans in “Chronicle” found favor with viewers.

Trank veers away from “Fantastic Four’s” winkingly cartoony froth and turns the superhero formula on its head—with mixed results. After all, wouldn’t you freak out if you suddenly catch fire, become invisible, find your limbs becoming uncontrollably elastic—or turn into a rock?

This coming-of-age tale doubles up as an origins story that places persnickety Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic (Miles Teller), brainy Sue Storm aka Invisible Woman (Kate Mara), cocky Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch (Michael B. Jordan) and jock Ben Grimm aka The Thing (Jamie Bell) at the bleaker end of the superhero spectrum.

We were enthralled by the idea of four men coming together and adapting to irreversible changes as the film traipsed between scientific fact and fiction. Even the color-blind casting of Jordan in the role originated by the irreplaceable Chris Evans was no big deal to us because, more than any platform, the comic universe is a parallel dimension where anything is possible!

This time, Reed cracks the mystery behind interdimensional travel and discovers a parallel universe whose energy source can revitalize our planet’s dwindling resources. Before greedy government officials can seize control over his prized invention, Reed and his pals teleport themselves into the strange new world—with Victor von Doom aka Doctor Doom (Toby Kebbell) in tow.

But, before they can head back to headquarters, their “unofficial” trip hits a snag—and something goes terribly wrong! The accident leaves the project susceptible to abusive bureaucratic control—but, not if Reed can help it!

This reboot has flashes of gloom-leavening humor, but they’re too few and far between, because the production chooses to take itself too seriously. It is further compromised by the storytelling’s lead-footed urgency and protracted emphasis on scientific mumbo-jumbo. —Besides, just how many “other worlds” are there in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? —Your “alternate realities” are getting too overcrowded, Mr. Stan Lee.

While Mara, Bell, Jordan and Kebbell look appealing, it is Teller who manages to imbue his character with a measure of credibility—and a dash of humor. To be fair, the superheroes’ action sequences will entertain viewers, but the film doesn’t really offer anything new to the genre.

—And, if the Fantastic Four find themselves in a faceoff against the Avengers, it looks like The Thing doesn’t stand a chance against the Hulk!