Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer [UMD Mini for PSP]

Great quality dvd and great price to add to the collection.

We are building up a collection of films on UMD for when we travel as it's much more portable to take a PSP and a bunch of the UMD discs than a DVD player for the car. This review takes into account that there is a lessening of the effects on the viewer when the screen is so small but our son, who is 14 and requested this particular film, says that it's 'pretty good'. I interpret this to mean that the story's good enough to engage him, the action's not lame or boring, there's not a lot of introspection by the characters and the overall effect of the film is to make it watchable more than once.I like the convenience of the UMD discs, they're small, easy to carry and the sound quality and image are not diminished by the size of the screen.

A sequel to 2005 box office winner, The Fantastic Four, "Rise Of The Silver Surfer" sees director Tim Story and the original cast principals return for more super hero schlocky fun. The story is based around the Marvel stories that featured the first appearance of said Silver Surfer in the comic book franchise. Silver Surfer (Doug Jones with Laurence Fishburne dubbing the voice) is acting as a herald for the planet devouring Galactus, their next target? Earth. Which is a bit untimely as Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd) and Susan Storm / Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba) are trying to get married. Things are further problematic when after his first encounter with the Silver Surfer, Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Chris Evans) finds his powers a bit off-in fact when he touches any of the others their powers are exchanged, much to Ben Grimm / The Thing's (Michael Chiklis) amusement. Not only that but the military are starting to get heavy and annoyed with the four and who is this back on the scene? Doctor Doom! (Julian McMahon) Thought he was dead, and how come he's in league with the military now? All of this issues must be addressed or the Earth will suffer the direst of consequences.Budgeted at $130 million, this sequel only just made its money back domestically, however, its Worldwide takings gave it an overall profit of nearly $160 million. Which when you consider that the first film (again raking the coin in) was met with very disdainful reviews (mostly warranted outside of Evans & Chiklis' efforts), it's somewhat surprising. Yet, and it's certainly no towering genre picture, "Silver Surfer" is a hugely enjoyable movie for fans of the source comics and the undemanding popcorn muncher. The fans, and I don't speak for all of them of course, should in the main be happy that the makers have been faithful to the origins of the story. There's also some nifty humour and both Alba and Gruffudd aren't as dull as they were in the first movie. Perhaps they are more comfortable now knowing that the paying public held sway over the critics? Evans is still the best thing in the franchise, and the appearance of Andre Braugher as General Hager is a welcome edition. While the effects are considerably better than the poor fodder served up in the first movie; granted it wouldn't have been hard to improve on that score.With a lovely light hearted approach, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer does its job. In the pantheon of super hero movies it sits some where in the middle, neither great or bad, just honest wholesome family fun. 20th Century Fox have announced that a reboot of the franchise is to come, so while Chris Evans goes off to mouth wateringly play Captain America, the next lot of actors are charged with the not so easy task of winning over a tough comic book crowd, and, the critics too. 6.5/10

If you are into you comic book adventures this one is a great choice. It takes all of the best elements of the 1st movie and add's to them. In addition we are introduced to the Silver Surfer (played by Doug Jones and voiced by Lawrence Fishburne) Doug brings presence to this anti hero as we see him struggle against his master Galactus in a bid to save earth. The Fantastic Four are also great as they muddle along as usual fighting each other as much as the enemy. However its the surfer that steals the show (and perhaps warrants his own movie, rumoured for 2012) This is a well written, well shot and well directed movie. I would recommend it to any comic book movie fan .... and anyone else who enjoys a roller coaster ride of action, adventure and great special effects. My only gripe was that we didn't get to see Galactus as we know him .... just a shadow. Shame .... a waste of a good character ... guess the budget could not stretch as far as Mr Fantastic does in this movie. Enjoy

Forget the negative reviews..this is WAY WAY better than FF 1 Ok this isnt a perfect film by a long shot,but the story,fx and action sequences are far superior to the dull FF 1. Every superhero film that comes out people always expect them to be dark and broody..WHY? why do they all have to be batman begins etc. This is lightweight suff for sure but the FF comics always were anyway. This a fun film but julian mcmahons dr doom continues to be awful..that role was woefully miscast.Pic on this blu ray as well as sound are generally excellent..i watched this on my 40" 1080p tv and was delighted.If you were put off by FF 1 then give this a chance coz its way better.

This fantastic four rise of the silver surfer is fine, it's a good movie.

Great tilm

good watch