# The Fantastic Four; is anyone gonna see this turd? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 7, 2005, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422 "2005-07-07T06:01:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/61 "2005-07-07T19:28:19Z")
Saw it. Thought it was okay, though they dragged out the origin story (which could have been tightened up a _lot_, I thought) and the product placement was intrusive. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/62 "2005-07-07T19:30:42Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > That’s my only gripe with the new wave of super hero movies. Why the need to show the origin of each and every one of them? In some cases it takes up half the movie, so that nothing _really_ great can even be shown until the second one. I had to wait 3 years for a _good_ Spiderman movie (I really disliked the first one). > > Why not take an example from the first Burton Batman film. No long drawn out origin stories. Bad guys are about, Batman comes in and whoops some ass. > > What, are audiences these days mentally incapable of being able to handle being dropped into the middle of a story in progress? They need to see the entire set up? In a film like the FF, they probably NEED an origin story. The origin of the group is kind of important. And the public at large only have a vague idea of who they are (if they know them at all). I just hope they don’t spend any more than 20 minutes on the whole thing. I always like the second comic flick better because as you say, they drop you right in the middle of the action. (even with the X-Men which didn’t begin with a true origin story, but took a little time introducing the characters). But with the FF, I was really holding out hope for a sequel because it would likely contain Galactus and Silver Surfer. ---
**Author:** ![Soapbox\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/63 "2005-07-07T19:32:34Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > Aw, c’mon–I’m a Marvel fangirl, but Batman, Superman, et al. rock _hardcore_. 😉 I like Batman just fine. The existence of Robin, however, pulls his cool status down considerably. And don’t even get me started on Superman. I have no tolerance for a walking Deus Ex Machina. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/64 "2005-07-07T19:33:31Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > … the product placement was intrusive. Picture me unsurprised. For my sake, for righteous anger of all sorts, pretty please, can I have a particularly egregious example. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/65 "2005-07-07T19:35:16Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > I like Batman just fine. The existence of Robin, however, pulls his cool status down considerably. Dude, no way. Check out the Jason Todd “Death in the Family” arc, for starters. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/66 "2005-07-07T19:37:04Z")
For the record, I applaud SoapboxMonkey’s Superman hatred. There are precious few of us around. What’s exciting, exactly, about an all powerful, totally perfect mega-hero whose only weakness is a glowing rock? Answer: Not a whole lot. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/67 "2005-07-07T19:57:06Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > For my sake, for righteous anger of all sorts, pretty please, can I have a particularly egregious example. Well, at one point hothead Johnny Storm runs away from home to take part in a motorcycle stunt show and the place is plastered with advertising… y’know, on reflection, that’s one of the movie’s few realistic elements. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/68 "2005-07-07T19:59:11Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > For the record, I applaud SoapboxMonkey’s Superman hatred. There are precious few of us around. And for very good reason! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SisterCoyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SisterCoyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SisterCoyote)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/69 "2005-07-07T20:09:26Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Dude… do you have any idea how hard it is to MAKE realistic-looking foam rubber suits in CGI? 😃 I must smack you about the head and shoulders now. C’mere. 😛 😉 I saw the “unreleased” version a number of years ago, mostly on fast forward, and have only two words to say about it: Plot Loaf! ---
**Author:** ![SisterCoyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SisterCoyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SisterCoyote)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/70 "2005-07-07T20:11:50Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > For the record, I applaud SoapboxMonkey’s Superman hatred. There are precious few of us around. What’s exciting, exactly, about an all powerful, totally perfect mega-hero whose only weakness is a glowing rock? > > Answer: Not a whole lot. The fact that Batman has kicked his ass at least once that I know of? (With the help of Green Arrow, yes, but still…) ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/71 "2005-07-07T20:12:30Z")
I believe in my heart of hearts that it is entirely possible to do a **Fantastic 4** movie that will appeal to a wide audience without compromising the fundamentals of the characters/franchise/whatever. I also believe, based on the trailers and whatnot, that the movie opening this weekend isn’t it. ☹ Unless Rotten Tomatoes gives a truckload of fresh reviews, I’ll be avoiding this one. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/72 "2005-07-07T20:18:51Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > For the record, I applaud SoapboxMonkey’s Superman hatred. There are precious few of us around. Count me in as well. Super-perfection struck me as boring even when I was seven. Spider-Man’s neurotic train-wreck of a so-called life was _far_ more interesting by comparison. (And to keep this post on topic, let’s remember the Fantastic Four got thrown out of their apartment once because they couldn’t pay the rent! _Hilarious!_😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/73 "2005-07-07T20:29:48Z")
Ebert hated it? Score! This movie will rock! Even [Chud.com](http://Chud.com) who has been totally dissing this movie since the trailer hit the net gave it a positive review. Not a glowing review, but positive. I’ll be seeing it, but not going in with high expectations. I usually get a lot more out of my money when I do that. I’m the guy who thought Godzilla was kinda fun. (oh, and “fantasti-suck”? Excellent Ultimate riff 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/74 "2005-07-07T20:35:19Z")
[Rotten Tomatoes says “Rotten.”](http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fantastic_four/) At the time of posting, the kindest thing the reviews mention is basically “Not as bad as it could have been.” After Hulk, Daredevil, Punisher, Elektra and now FF, Marvel’s misses are outnumbering their successes with X-Men and Spider-Man. In a way, a turkey like this might be a good thing for them, especially after the success of Batman Begins. Hopefully Avi Arad will see that a good comic book movie needs to first be a good movie – acting, direction, and screenwriting – rather than just a cash-in on some licensed characters. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/75 "2005-07-07T20:42:19Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > I’m boycotting with an iron fist. You’re boycotting with [Danny Rand](http://home.flash.net/~jeanneb/i.html)? ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/76 "2005-07-07T20:44:10Z")
I’ve got no interest in seeing the movie other than seeing Ms. Alba, which can wait for the free TV version to come out, but I’m wondering about the following quote from the Fantastic 4 yahoo movie page: “Marvel’s first family of comic superheroes takes the world by storm as the longest running comic book series in history comes to the big screen.” Is the F4 really the “longest running comic book series in history”? I want to see the math on that calculation. I’m no comic book expert but don’t Batman and Superman beat out the Four in this category? ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/77 "2005-07-07T20:44:51Z")
> [@Max Carnage](#): > > (oh, and “fantasti-suck”? Excellent Ultimate riff 🙂 ) First thing I thought of when I saw the trailer 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/78 "2005-07-07T21:26:45Z")
The FF is my favorite comic, so, hell yes I’m looking forward to it! I’ve loved the FF since the 60s Hanna-Babera cartoon, before I started reading comics. As for the current comics, Wad just finished a great run, Strazcyniski looks like he’ll do a great job, \*Ultimate FF \* is pretty good, and _MK4_ has had some excellent story arcs. My local comic book guy saw it the other night, and he liked it. He said it’s way better than the trailer would lead you to believe. The Thing suit looks better in closeups. I’m not so thrilled with their approach to Doctor Doom. He deserves an origin movie of his own. Actually, I think the FF origin might best be done as either a flashback or o pre-credits sequence, ala James Bond. Anyway, there’s no way it can be as bad a comic book movie as \*Hulk \* or (shudder) _Spawn_. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/79 "2005-07-07T21:29:53Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Hilarious. Interesting when you think about the fact that Alba refused to appear nude in a role as a _stripper_. Well, maybe now that the cats are out of the bag (as such) she might just decide to change her mind on that one. -Joe, imagines those who haven’t seen 'em can just Google ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422/80 "2005-07-07T22:01:12Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Is the F4 really the “longest running comic book series in history”? I want to see the math on that calculation. I’m no comic book expert but don’t Batman and Superman beat out the Four in this category? Of course Batman and Superman are older characters, but they don’t have continuous publication under single titles from their creation to the present. Have you got a current issue of _Action Comics_ or _Detective Comics?_ Superman and Batman shared _World’s Finest Comics_ for a long time, too, and both have been in dozens of short-run series. I’m guessing the claim to “longest running” is based on _Fantastic Four_ being published under that name in 1961 and continuing without a hiatus or title change until 2003, which is pretty remarkable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fantastic-four-is-anyone-gonna-see-this-turd/311422.md?page=5)