The Flickering Myth staff react…
Well, it’s finally here. Despite some theories that this was going to be another Roger Corman attempt to keep hold of the franchise rights and nothing else, it seems as though Josh Trank’s The Fantastic Four (or is that Fant4stic?) is very real. So, what did the writing and editorial staff of Flickering Myth make of it?
Chris Cooper: At no point have I understood the hate for this project. Okay, maybe the possible Dr Doom origin story. Anyway…the trailer looks good! I was a fan of both Evans and Chiklis but what I see here looks cool. The trailer did exactly what it needed to do: Make me interested.
Manny Camacho: I’m completely unimpressed. It looks to distract with visuals and still seemingly lacks a cohesive story that will aide in bridging the ridiculous casting choices. The teaser reminded me of a recent entry into the over-the-top pretentious and ridiculously stupid Matthew McConaughey style of car commercial that is flooding our screens. Everything in the teaser was formulaic, as was indicative by the scenes portrayed. Not leaving me with any reasonable hope that the film itself is not completely formulaic.
While I love Kate Mara as Sue Storm and Teller has potential as a decent Reed Richards. I’m not really sure I will personally enjoy this film and have high hopes that the studio ends up failing in this franchise (again) and release the rights back to Marvel. Among other studios that need to lose their rights to these amazingly iconic characters.
Jessie Robertson: Still know nothing about story or character but looks more leaning toward sci-fi territory but other than that no real opinion can be made as it said nothing really. Still not sure how I feel about them all being so young.
Chris Cooper: I’m pleased they’re trying something different, so ages etc don’t bother me. All I see are good actors. The sci-fi bent intrigues me.
Gary Collinson (editor-in-cheif): I have to say it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be, but the problem for me is, it just doesn’t feel like The Fantastic Four. Still, hard to make a judgement as the trailer gives so little away.
Tom Roach: I am intrigued by it. I didn’t hate on the film anyhow. Most people want it to fail so Marvel Studios can have it. I like the fact it is a different origin story from what I understand. I do really want to see it and I hope people just wait for it to come out and enjoy it. I’m not really a fan of Fantastic Four but I will see this anyway.
Kris Wall: Well it certainly wasn’t the train wreck I was being led to believe it would be. I’ve never been a fan of the Fantastic Four as characters even before they hit the big screen, but I’ll be giving it a chance as I loved Chronicle and I’m curious to see what Josh Trank does with the characters.
David Fleming: I agree it doesn’t say a whole lot, but I also agree with Gary, it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I don’t like how young they all look though, I always think of the Fantastic Four as a little more seasoned. It looks a little like the powers of the original Fantastic Four have just been shoe horned into a completely different sci-fi story.
Scott J Davis: Mixed bag really. Nothing hugely impressive in there that makes me think it will be anything but “good”, but some neat flashes in the trailer to be a little excited by, and the cast/director makes it worth a watch, but like Kris I’ve never been a Fantastic 4 fan and despite the talent involved, not wholly convinced it will change my mind…. Jury Is Out.
Helen Murdoch: Pleasantly surprised and intrigued by it. With everything that’s been reported etc., I expected a car crash! Liking the emphasis on sci-fi, great atmospheric music (although slightly familiar) – all in all a decent trailer.
Matthew Skeen: I’m kind of on board with the younger cast, I think if they were going to reboot way different was the way to go. That said I think Dave has a point in that it doesn’t feel like the Fantastic 4, just a sci fi film with the powers. Hopefully the film manages to change my mind on that.
Alan Heath: From the trailer and the synopsis it looks like they’re taking a lot of influences from the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics, like the age of the team and the way they get their powers. In tearms of the tone, I don’t think enough was shown to get a good enough idea of it’s success. I’m going to see it, even if it’s just because of the cast and director.
Anthony Donovan Stokes: I knew it wouldn’t be too bad. It’s a teaser and it looks pretty promising. Cast is pretty great and somehow having mixed races siblings doesn’t seem to ruin the movie. Who would’ve guessed?
Ben Rayner: All very meh. Can’t say I’m excited for it, but to be honest I feel so little about it I can’t even put into words how I feel… Did anyone else notice a handful of scenes that look entirely green screened but in a badly obvious way?
Anthony Donovan Stokes: The special effects aren’t done and fans have been begging for a trailer so they put this out . Probably why there’s a lack of power usage in the teaser.
Ben Rayner: That’s true Anthony. I knew the mixed race siblings wouldn’t be an issue, although there age still might be.. They seem awfully young to be such highly accomplished scientists going into space…
Anthony Donovan Stokes: To be fair that’s the age they were in Ultimate Fantastic Four.
Vilordsutch: They’ve made us wait so long and then they deliver this!? They needed to make an impression after all the fuss caused and all the negativity generated before this trailer; they really needed to wow the world but all they’ve given us here is mediocre at best.
Kris Wall: What’s mediocre here Vil? You haven’t really said why it’s failed to live up to your expectations.
Villordsutch: Everything here looks so constipated. Look at Marvel with Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man trailers and even look at Hack Snyder and the fever he managed to ramp up with his 20 second Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice footage (leaked from Comic-Con last year – editor Luke) after his shockingly bad Man of Steel. They should have energised the first trailer then brought the story trailer out later.
Andrew Naylor: To quote the kids, “meh.” In a world now full comic book movies, some very good, it has to stand out. That trailer doesn’t.
Gary Collinson: I am somewhat curious to know why The Thing has no pants on in that final shot.
Anthony Donovan Stokes: Maybe they’ll add some in in post.
James Garcia: I know I’m probably in the minority here, but I’m loving that this so far. Feels more like a science fiction film than a superhero one. That kind of genre-bending is what’s going to keep the superhero film genre from growing stale, and the The Fantastic Four especially could get lost in the onslaught of comic book films if it were derivative of the other superhero pics that are getting released.
I love that the trailer was very character driven, and took these inherently cheesy characters seriously. I’ve always been hopeful that Trank would do a good job with this property, and so far I’m confident that he’ll deliver. This is absolutely my most-anticipated comic book film of the year.
Chris Cooper: I’m glad they’ve gone this way. They’ve given me a look and feel that I find interesting. Fantastic Four has been cheesy, and that’s not a bad thing. But I’m willing to see something different.
Luke Owen (Deputy Editor): I watched this late last night, and woke up this morning not remembering a single thing about it. The trailer had no impact on me whatsoever, and I’ve always quite liked the Fantastic Four. I like the cast, but they are all feel mis-cast in their roles. I didn’t get all the hoopla over Chronicle either, so Trank isn’t a turning factor for me either.
J-P Wooding: Trailer doesn’t make me desperate to see it. Looks ok, but most of us know the basic origin premise. Would have been more interested if something else was teased too. I didn’t mind the other FF films and so far this one doesn’t look like justification for a reboot.
Gav Logan: Trank definitely seems determined to keep this different from all the other previous superhero movies that tend to go down the same route, which is good. Im liking the grounded sci-fi approach but if im honest the trailer didnt really exicte me much.
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So a mixed bag of thoughts, but more positive than anyone could have predicted! What did you make of the trailer? Let us know in the comments below…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszFJHnpNzqHh6gswQ0Srpi5E&x-yt-ts=1422503916&v=qqtW2LRPtQY&x-yt-cl=85027636&feature=player_embedded
