Although the 2005Fantastic Fourdirected byTim Story,was considered to be a disappointment by comic book fans, it is easy to forget that it was a relatively successful box office hit, making it unsurprising that a sequel was put into development. To say thatFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferis a significant improvement upon its predecessor may seem to be damning with faint praise, but the second film did a much better job atembracing the science fiction weirdness and fun family dynamicsthat had made the originalStan Leecomics so ahead of their time. While the returning characters from the first film retained great chemistry with one another,Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfermade the wise decision to cast bothLaurence FishburneandDoug Jonesas the Silver Surfer. Jones, a veteran physical performer with credits inHellboyandPan’s Labyrinth, captured the Surfer’s movements, with Fishburne providing his voice.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfertakes place shortly after the team defeated Dr. Victor Von Doom (the late greatJulian McMahon), and shows how Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) and Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) have been preparing to enter the next stage in their relationship. Although they are nervous about informing Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) and Johnny (Chris Evans) that they may be giving up their duties in order to start a family, the world is threatened by a series of dangerous weather events instigated by the mysterious Silver Surfer.The Silver Surfer raises the stakes of the sequel and adds an interesting visual dynamic, yet also becomes a sympathetic character with a surprisingly rich backstory.
‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ Did the Silver Surfer Justice
The original comics had a bizarre, cosmic sensibility that was distinct from other Marvel titles at the time, andFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferembraces its science fiction roots.Although the first film had tried to justify the creation of the team’s powers through scientific experiments, the sequel opens with an epic sequence in which the Surfer travels across the world, influencing weather patterns. This suggests that the stakes have risen, as the Fantastic Four are about to meet their toughest challenge yet. While their battle with Doom was a personal feud that really only affected New York City, they are now faced with the possibility that Galactus could destroy their entire world. The Surfer’s seriousness helps give the sequel weight, as he also appears to disrupt Sue and Reed’s wedding; this implies to the team that they will never be able to live completely normal lives if they do not first fulfill the responsibilities that come with their powers.
The Surfer is a dynamic antagonist and ally for the Fantastic Four, as his knowledge of the universe is so immense that he does not consider the individuality of Earth. Considering that the Surfer has brought down entire star systems on behalf of Galactus, he does not consider the sacrifice of Earth to be significant. However, the film shows that he is not an emotionally opaque character, as it is after talking with Sue that he learns that Earth’s culture is similar to that of his own planet. Although the film didn’t have enough time to detail the Surfer’s backstoryand what happened to his family, the implication that he empathizes with Sue and Reed is a strong motivation that justifies his decision to change sides. The film also makes it clear to indicate the danger that would come with handing over the power of the board to the wrong person; a scene where Doom executes General Hager (Andre Braugher) may be among the most violent scenes ever in a PG-rated film.
Vanessa Kirby’s Devastating Role in This Netflix Psychological Drama Proved She’s Perfect for the Fantastic Four
Kirby brings both sensitivity and strength to her performance as a mother dealing with an unimaginable tragedy.
Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne Were a Perfect Choice To Play Silver Surfer
Jones and Fishburne work together to create a fluid performance, as both actors bring something unique to the character. Jones has mastered the craft ofcapturing the movement of unusual creaturesand brings a great sense of stoicism and chivalry to the Surfer; although the Surfer commits horrific damage upon Earth, he takes no pleasure in creating chaos, as he is enslaved to the will of Galactus. Fishburne, an actor with experience playing Shakespearean characters of authority, brings a sense of gravity and turmoil to the Surfer that shows why he is an empathetic character. The most emotional aspects of the film are when the Surfer recognizes why his sacrifice would be so necessary, as he sees firsthand that Sue is willing to do the same thing.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferis a far more dynamic action film than its predecessor, as it was not weighed down by having to develop all of the characters’ backstories. The initial chase between Johnny and the Surfer has the quick-witted, kinetic feel of the originalFantastic Fourcartoons, and the final battle with Galactus finallyunleashed the level of destructionthat would later be seen in bigger superhero films likeThe AvengersandCaptain America: Civil War. It’s exciting that the legacy of the Surfer has been retained on the big screen, asJulia Garnerdid a fantastic job at bringing a different version of the character to life inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. However,Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferends with such a compelling cliffhanger that it’s a bit disappointing that a third film in the original series never materialized.
