Galactus, unfortunately, does not receive the same treatment and we are never given a real glimpse at the demigod through his surrounding cloud. The visual effects team did a great job with creating the iconic character and Laurence Fishburne was an inspired casting choice for his voice.
For what time we're given with him, the Surfer is the most impressive aspect of this film. These are not traits I want in the man given the role as one of the best Marvel villains. Doom he has a hard time doing insidiously evil without coming across as a hammed performance and I just can't take him seriously. McMahon, again, does not feel right in the role of Dr. Alba is a beautiful woman and fits the image of Susan Storm, but I've never felt her to be too talented an actress and she remains the weak point of the series. Also, just as in the first film, I was unimpressed with the performances of Jessica Alba and Julian McMahon. Just as before, Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis are perfect choices for their characters and do a (no pun intended) fantastic job bringing their characters to life. All of the original cast from the first film return, which is both good and bad. I loved that the filmmakers were able to work the Fantasticar into the script (especially since I'd considered it a bit too cartoonish to work in a film) but the shout-out for Dodge when Johnny first sees it and excitedly exclaims "A hemi!" went a bit too far. Though, I can deal with corny dialogue what I can't abide is blatant slap-in-the-face product placement. I know the F4 was a bit goofier than some of the other Marvel properties but the filmmakers need to tone it down a bit.
Just as in the first film, this movie is plagued with some cringe-worthy one-liners (once again, Doom is given some of the worst).
When the film was over, I felt as if the Surfer was never given the opportunity to reach his full on-screen potential and I've been left hoping he's given another shot. Then, once the plot kicks into gear, we're rushed through the next hour to a deus ex machina ending that fails to satisfy (and may even aggravate some of the comic series' fans). My issues began with the fact that we wasted the first 30 minutes of the film preparing for Reed and Sue's wedding instead of getting to the meat of the Silver Surfer plot. Just writing that synopsis made me want to watch the film again it sounds like the foundation for a great F4 film. Further complications arise when Victor von Doom returns with plans of his own. The story potential is high: Reed Richards and Susan Storm's wedding is postponed (again) when the Earth receives a visit from the Silver Surfer, herald of Galactus.
The second installment in the F4 franchise suffers from the some of the same problems as the first film, while adding some new issues on top.
It just isn't happening, thanks to poor writing and a little too much creative license at the hands of director Tim Story and writers Don Payne and Mark Frost.
I know it has potential I love the characters, it has an interesting collection of villains to select from, and the comic series provides some great stories as starting material. I suppose one of the reasons I keep returning to this film is that I want so badly to see the Fantastic Four franchise survive. It was hard to believe that a Marvel film utilizing one of the most interesting characters from the comic universe, Galactus, could be so bland. It almost as if I need to watch it on occasion to remind myself how mediocre it is.
I don't know what it is about this movie that keeps me watching it every few months.