Customer Reviews

Fantastic Four

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

*STORY* - A crew of four men and a woman go on a scientific trip to space into the center of a cosmic storm; perhaps to somehow unlock the secrets of the human gentic code. However, things go teribly wrong when the cosmic storm moves at an astonishingly acclerating rate. The cosmic radiation changes and mutates their DNA... changing their very lives and future.

*CHARACTERS* - Here are brief sketches of the characters from the book and upcoming summer movie for the year 2005...

Dr. Reed Richard (Mr. Fantastic) - A scientific genius whose ultimately problem is thinking too much before taking any action, Reed inevitably becomes the leader of what will become the Fantastic4. His new powers enables him to stretch and contort his body into any shape.

Susan Storm (Invisible Girl) - Reed's ex-girlfriend who still harbors feeling for the scientist while continually being frustrated by him, has the power to make herself become invisible and create force fields.

Ben Grimm (The Thing) - Reed's best friend and former astronaut-from-Brooklyn, he's known for his surly manner and dry humor. The radiation mutated him into a rock-like, superhumanly stronge 'thing'.

Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) - Sue's hotheaded younger brother, he's known for chasing thrills (not to mention the ladies...). His abilites include engulfing his body into flames and flying.

Victor Von Doom (Doctor Doom) - The financier for the whole expidition into space, he is Reed's long time rival who is now a billionaire industrialist. Though many believed him to have been kept safe from the radiation, he actually did not escape the 'incident' unscathes and unchanged...

*REVIEW* - "Fantastic4" was a very, VERY enjoyable read, one which I could not put down without wanting to pick it back up again. I was quite impressed with Peter David's writing; he chooses his words well, using every 'cliche' so uniquely that it's quite novel to read about the 'solid' Ben Grimm, 'smoking' Johnny Storm, and etc.

As the other reviewer commented, some of the 'physical' humor/action is slightly awkward to read at times, Johnny's ski 'trip' coming most to mind. I'm sure that on screen it would come off better (hopefully).

On the other hand, the book gives much more details which I know for a fact that will never be portrayed well in the movie. Peter David gives a nice insight into the minds of each of the characters, most especially that of Ben Grimm. The turmoil in him from being 'the Thing' is well written.

*CLOSING* - I was quite impressed with the novel and though like many of the recent movies F4 has a lot of action, some even 'unnecessary' to some degree, I am looking forward to the character development, if well done, could make this on par with the likes of superhero movie giants, "X-Men" and "Spider-Man".

These days I don't often read tie-in novelizations of upcoming films, preferring to wait and experience the actual movie, which most would agree is probably the best way to discover a story designed for the screen. But novelizations can often be fun, and this one was written by the talented comic book writer Peter David (who adapted the film script written by three other folks), so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

Sadly, if the movie sticks close to the story in this paperback, it will end up being a wasted opportunity to bring something great to the screen. In the comments that follow, I'll discuss this book, but I'm really talking about the movie on which the book is based.

Overall, Mr. David does his best to make the story work in book form, toning down idiotic sight gags (yes, Reed Richards gets kicked in a sensitive place by Ben Grimm when Reed tests Ben's reflexes with a little hammer blow to Ben's newly-rocky knee), but in the end two adjectives come to mind to describe this story: silly and thin.

What's depressing is that this is the Fantastic Four, the title that established Marvel Comics' famous formula of heroics combined with melodrama, where the heroes can save the world one issue but not be able to make its lease payment on their headquarters the next. Where wonderment and imagination permeated every issue of the original FF comic book no matter the personal dilemmas taking place. Other movies should be looking in reverence to the Fantastic Four movie to see how a super-hero movie should be done. Sadly, though, it's probably a good idea that other films don't emulate this one. Because this Fantastic Four movie, based on what's in this novel, doesn't trust its own pedigree, and instead cynically includes touchstones from our "popular" culture to make the story more "approachable".

It's not amazing enough that Johnny Storm can burst into flames and roar through the skies. No, we better have him first discover his powers while snowboarding with a hot nurse, catching fire while gaining speed on his board. Then, the next time he displays his powers, it's while participating in an X-Games/Extreme sports tournament, bursting into flames while doing stunts on a cycle. I can almost hear the story conference: "What do the kids like these days? I got it, snowboarding and all that Extreme sports stuff. Let's work that in somehow." Since when does the FF need the latest hip & trendy gimmicks to sell what they're all about? Did the X-Men movie need to do this? Did Spidey? Why did the producers feel the need to "help" the FF this way?

The Dr. Doom stuff is okay, but just so, well... thin. Doom is nothing at all like the classic villain in the FF comics. Here, he's just a guy who's mad at Reed Richards for frustrating his attempts to make money from the cosmic storm experiment, and for wooing Sue away from him. These are believable motivations, but not very interesting ones. And having Doom slowly turning into a being of metal, ala the X-Men's Colossus, was a needless change. Doom's "superpower" was always his intellect. Insane intellect, but intellect. And why NOT keep him as the monarch of the fictional Balkan country of Latveria? There are tons of examples of male monarchs in recent history (Prince Rainier, for one), monarchs who studied in the U.S. during their formative years and could have met a Reed Richards type and established an uneasy friendship. Then Reed could have went to his friend- now a monarch in Europe- and asked for funding for the cosmic ray experiment. But here Doom is just a boring Donald Trump type, with a little scientific knowledge. Hey, I know super-hero movies need to make some changes from the original comics source material, but why take out great, entertaining aspects of the original material and replace them with watered-down stuff?

I could go on and on, but I'll just make one or two more quick observations: Picturing Jessica Alba as I read this novelization, I began to feel that she is much too glamourous for the role of Sue Storm. I have no problem with her being in the movie, but she would have been better off as one of Johnny's girlfriends. Or better yet, as Alicia Masters. Wouldn't that be a kick... the monstrous Thing's girlfriend geing hotter than any of the women following Johnny around? It would add an interesting subtext to Ben's and Johnny's friendship, his secret jealousy of Ben's girlfriend. But, no, they went for a much simpler and less interesting idea: let's make Sue really hot.

To end on a positive note, there's a pretty good battle at the end in the streets of New York (though it doesn't really do anything new), and, earlier, a nice scene in a planetarium between Reed and Sue, as they begin to reach out to one another. And, without revealing too much, the producers leave things open for the return of Dr. Doom in a sequel, a Dr. Doom much closer to the conception of the character in the comics. We'll see.

But, in the end, and just from reading the novelization, I'd give the story a C/C- (readable but nothing special) and the characterizations a B/B+. And, who knows, if they don't junk up the movie with too much rock music, and the Extreme sports stuff doesn't take center stage TOO much, we may still have a watchable movie that will permit the production of a better sequel.

Oh, one final thought: none of the criticisms mentioned above are Peter David's fault. He didn't write the movie, only this novelization of it. He remains an entertaining writer who did his best here, though one gets the feeling he wrote some scenes through gritted teeth, and refused to fully embrace those scenes containing especially heavy doses of dumb-ness. But I don't think anyone will hold that against him. After all, most people agree with the old saying that says (paraphrased in a less vulgar way here) there are certain things that simply can't be polished.

The only reason this didn't get a five is because I need to actually see how Doom translates on the screen...being a Doom fanatic, it will be important to see how this works.

Overall, the characterizations are flawless for the F4...The Thing is miserable over his rocky exterior, the Human Torch is arrogant, cocky, and a ladies man, the two of them bicker back and forthy like they should, Invisible Womanis the motherly type, trying to keep everyone focused and offer support. She is also the director of genetic research at Von Doom Industries. Mr. Fantastic is the resident brain of the group but he is unsure of himself, as he tries to take care of everyone at once, he falls prey to...

Victor Von Doom, aka Dr. Doom, who runs Von Doom Industries and after the cosmic storm, becomes obsessed with destroying Richards and his family !

I can't wait until July 8 !

This book is awesome and (no pun intended) fantastic! I never take my time to write a review and this is my first.

Fantastic 4 is a very entertaining read. And I agree with the past reviewer as I also could not put this book down. It was a real page turner, I just wanted to keep on reading, and only a VERY GOOD book makes me do that.
I will admit that some of the dialogue is cringe worthy, but other parts defintely make up for that.
Every character was handled well, and you could really feel for some of the characters (especially with Ben).

All in all, I was also quite impressed with this novel, and even though I was hyped about this movie before, I am now SUPER-hyped about the movie after reading this book.

Thanks to this book, I am now really looking forward to the movie as I know it will be FANTASTIC!
This could defintely have the potential to be the next "X-Men", or even the next "Spider-Man".

Im not sure why all of the internet fanboys hate this treatment of the F.F. I have seen and read every major comic adaptation over the last 15 years,and this story is as good if not better than Spidermans last outing. I was not the worlds biggest fan of the F.F. but after seeing the trailers for this film and learning that 2 of my favorite TV personalities were involved in major roles,McMahon,Chiklis,it quickly became a must see movie. Also upon learning that the always ''fantastic'' Peter David was writting the tie in novel,my anticipation grew. David has captured on page what I as a moviegoer had always pictured a F.F. film to be. The origin of the groups powers,fanboy insider info,and hilarious tounge in cheek interaction between the group. If a fraction of this translates onto the movie screen, then another superhero franchise has been born.

I enjoy occassionally reading film novelizations, because the add to the story...I think back to the original Star Trek films with minor story lines added that weren't in the films...made those that read the book have a richer film experience.
This is NOT the case with Fantastic 4, unfortunately. Even more disasapointing is that I enjoy many of Peter David's original works. When he "adds" to pump up the story...to make this into a book...it is useless, boring wasteless stuff. A HUGE ff fan...this book made me actually decide NOT to see the film in the theater! Luckily my son won out...we went...and I discovered how much better the film is to the novelization!
Save your money on this...and purchase a ticket instead!

Thou this book does follow the movie ALMOST exactly, I would say dispite some of the other reviewers of this book that the movie version added some touches of humor and changed/tweeked some of the scenes from the book.

Like adding the scene of Doom stealing the heat seeking missile and launcher as well as the tanks of super cool gas where the book just mentions that Doom tinkered with the gas and always had the missile launcher just hanging around the office.

It does expand on some scenes that probably ended up on the cutting room floor to make the movie move along a lot faster and in comparing the two, the movie comes out ahead vs the book. but the book does add more details on things that might appear in the dvd unedited version(s).

This book makes a good read when flying or on a long bus trip and IF you want to see what the movie left out (or was changed in the movie) then read this book.

This is an awesome superhero book i've read lately. This book has little aditions to it from the movie. The auther describes each character very well. This book i recomend to all marvel comic book fans.

If you liked this book check out The movie, soundtrack, game and the motion picture score.

Dr. Reed Richards is sure he has found a scientific breakthrough. All he has to do is convince billionaire (and nemesis) Victor Van Doom, to help him reach a cosmic storm in order to observe it. While Victor agrees to the use of his private space station, the price is almost all profit made from this research. On the space station, Reed and the rest of his team: best friend, Ben Grimm; ex-girlfriend, Susan Storm; her hotshot brother, Johnny Storm; as well as Doom himself, are shocked when something goes amiss and everyone is exposed to the cosmic storm.

Back on Earth, they discover that the cloud has altered their DNA, giving each a type of super power. Reed, Susan, Ben, and Johnny band together in an effort to analyze what has happened to them and find a way to reverse the effects. Mr. Fantastic: Reed has the ability to stretch and contort his body. The Invisible Woman: Susan can make herself invisible and create an energy shield. The Human Torch: Johnny is able to go up in flames- literally- and fly. The Thing: Ben is now rock-hard and has superhuman strength. Unfortunately, Van Doom has also been given powers, and unlike the others, decided to use them for evil. Now he is bent on revenge for the loss of power the cosmic storm fiasco caused and will do anything to destroy Reed and the rest of the `Fantastic Four'.

While the Fantastic Four novelization was not up to the same level as others have been, it was still a good read. There were a couple discrepancies between the book and movie, which was a little annoying. The storyline itself focused on how the FF got their powers and why they became a team more than anything else. The book makes the characters seem a little more real, which I liked.