The One I serve…. it is known by many names. My people called it… Galactus, the devourer of worlds. It must feed on energy to survive, both thermal and organic. My service spares my world, and the one I love” as Jason’s Movie Blog takes another superhero look back jaunt for the “cinematic flashback” review of Marvel’s 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER
“Who will Rise?”
Director: Tim Story
Writer: Mark Frost and Don Payne
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, and Julian McMahon
Run Time: 92 Minutes
Release Date: June 15th, 2007
Rated: PG
THE STORY
After the fierce battle with Dr. Doom, the Fantastic Four can really enjoy life more. All four are now comfortable with their new powers and roles as superheroes. Ben Grim / The Thing (Michael Chikilis) and Johnny Storm / The Human Torch (Chris Evans) now get along with each other, while Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba) and Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd) are anxiously awaiting to tie the knot soon. Unfortunately, their wedding day bliss is put on hold when a new threat emerges. As a series of widespread anomalies and massive sinkholes coincide with the arrival of the intergalactic harbinger of destruction known as the Silver Surfer (Lawerence Fishburne), the Fantastic Four, and the world, must brace for the worst. Now, a fragile alliance with returned Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) seems like the only way to avert the end of their world However, Reed, and the others, already know that there’s more to the suspiciously willing supporter than meets the eye. Yet all questions point to one. Can humankind survive the attack of Silver Surfer’s master, Galactus, the devourer of worlds?
MY THOUGHTS
Following up on my review of Fantastic Four (2005), I can say that I liked the movie. It wasn’t perfect, but given the superhero boom of the 2000s, it did a solid job of bringing a classic team of superheroes to the big screen. As a result, I was genuinely excited when a sequel was announced. The idea of introducing the Silver Surfer and, by extension, Galactus, was something I looked forward to. However, when Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer finally hit theaters, I walked out somewhat disappointed. That was back then. Now, nearly eighteen years later, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps on the horizon, I decided to revisit this sequel and see if it still holds up—or if the disappointment still lingers.
Once again directed by Tim Story, known for Barbershop, Think Like a Man, and Ride Along, Rise of the Silver Surfer feels like a natural continuation of the tone and style established in the first film. Story carries over the same sense of “fun,” even as the team faces a world-threatening cosmic force. The movie stays lighthearted and comedic but manages to inject some serious moments when the action calls for it. This balance is one of the movie’s stronger points.
The visual presentation is in line with the first film, maintaining the blockbuster appeal of the mid-2000s superhero era. The production designs, set decorations, and costumes are solid, and the cinematography by Larry Blanford offers several visually striking moments, particularly when showcasing the Silver Surfer. The score by John Ottman, who also worked on the first movie, provides another strong element, with superhero-inspired melodies and flourishes that elevate the experience.
Unfortunately, Rise of the Silver Surfer suffers from several pitfalls that weigh it down, making it an inferior superhero film, even compared to its predecessor. The shorter runtime rushes through key plot points, and the movie attempts to tackle too much, resulting in a narrative that feels fragmented. Characters are stagnant, offering little growth, and the dialogue, at times, feels cheesy. While the campiness was typical of many 2000s-era superhero films, here it’s more glaring. The story is riddled with plot holes, and it feels as though important moments were either trimmed down or left on the cutting room floor. Even some of the comedic parts feel a bit hokey at times, including a few noticeable bad CGI visuals.
The most egregious misstep, however, is the decision to change the appearance of Galactus. While I understand that the film world wasn’t ready for a giant, world-devouring cosmic entity, turning Galactus into a giant storm cloud felt like a baffling and disappointing choice. The only real connection to the source material is the Silver Surfer himself, but even then, the character’s story feels underdeveloped and mishandled.
On the bright side, the cast from the first film returns, and they’re still a highlight. Ioan Gruffudd (King Arthur and Harrow), Jessica Alba (Sin City and Dark Angel), Chris Evans (Knives Out and Lightyear), and Michael Chiklis (The Shield and The Commish) easily slip back into their roles with the same charm and chemistry that made the first film enjoyable. However, their characters feel more like plot devices this time around, serving continuity over character development. The absence of meaningful growth makes the characters feel thinner, with each of them simply going through the motions.
Victor Von Doom, portrayed once again by Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck and Charmed), lacks the same depth he had in the first movie. While McMahon still exudes charm and swagger, the character’s arc here is practically nonexistent. Dr. Doom’s descent into villainy was one of the first film’s most compelling aspects, but in Rise of the Silver Surfer, he’s just there, offering little in terms of new development.
The most interesting character in this sequel is, without question, the Silver Surfer himself. Played physically by Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water) and voiced by Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix and John Wick: Chapter 2), the Surfer brings an enigmatic presence to the film. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t do him justice, relegating him to a subplot that never fully explores the character’s potential.
Ultimately, Rise of the Silver Surfer underperformed at the box office and received more negative reviews than its predecessor, leading to the cancellation of a planned third Fantastic Four movie, despite the cast and crew being signed on for a trilogy. A year later, Iron Man hit theaters, igniting the MCU, while 20th Century Fox continued to hold the Fantastic Four property, struggling to find the right formula. The disastrous 2015 reboot, Fant4stic, further solidified the franchise’s troubled cinematic history. Now, with Marvel Studios rebooting the Fantastic Four within the MCU, all eyes are on The Fantastic Four: First Steps to see if they can finally deliver the “First Family of Marvel” the cinematic treatment they deserve.
In the end, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer fails to live up to the potential of its predecessor. While the cast remains charming and a few moments offer brief glimpses of what could have been, the film falters due to poor writing, weak character development, and questionable creative choices. The story feels rushed, with characters stagnating rather than growing, and the narrative bogged down by half-baked dialogue and muddled motivations. What could have been a thrilling cosmic clash ends up feeling disjointed and hollow. The decision to turn Galactus into a mere storm cloud is perhaps the film’s most egregious misstep, stripping the villain of any true cosmic presence. Ultimately, Rise of the Silver Surfer squanders its vast potential, leaving behind a missed opportunity in the Fantastic Four saga. Perhaps, in the end, it’s Galactus who should have devoured this movie, for it fades away like a forgotten cosmic dust cloud, lost in the void.
Cinematic Flashback Score: 2.6 Out 5
FUN FACT: The studio hated Doctor Doom’s make-up so he remains hidden under a cowl in most of his early scenes
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