Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - PG

Watch Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Video Movie Review

Much better than the first; OK for tweens and up.

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Rating: PG for sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo. Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Directed By: Tim Story Cast: Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans Running Time: 92 minutes Release Date: 06/15/2007 Genre: Action/adventure

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this sequel to Fantastic Four is tamer than the original and much more tween-friendly. Like most superhero flicks, it includes loud, cartoonish violence -- but only two characters get seriously hurt or die. Most scenes involve crowds panicking as the Silver Surfer creates huge craters around the world. Unlike other conflicted superheroes, the Fantastic Four enjoy being of service, and everyone knows their true identities. There's some iffy language ("ass," "crap," "damn," etc.) and more innuendo than you might expect (characters talk about getting "hot," Johnny asks The Thing how he and his girlfriend "you know," and so on), but overall it's lighter and less complicated than similar comic book-based action films.

Families can talk about how this movie is similar to and different from other superhero films. What makes the Fantastic Four different from other superheroes? Do you like them better or worse than characters like Superman and Spider-Man? Why? Families can also discuss selflessness and responsibility. Sue tells the Silver Surfer that every being has a choice to do the right or wrong thing. Are there times when you're pressured to do something and feel there's no other choice?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen

Let's get this out of the way: Yes, the sequel is much better than the original, which was universally panned. That doesn't mean that FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER reaches Spider-Man or Superman Returns heights -- but it also doesn't take itself as seriously. At 92 minutes, it's a short, easy-to-follow adventure that will amuse older kids without scaring younger ones.

This time around, Sue "Ivisible Woman" Storm (Jessica Alba) and Reed "Mr. Fantastic" Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) are about to have the wedding of the season ... if only the world wasn't on the brink of destruction. A brusque Army general (Andre Braugher) informs Reed that the Fantastic Four (who are rounded out by Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) must help investigate a series of mysterious craters and blasts of radiation occurring throughout the world.

Turns out those inexplicable incidents are the work of the Silver Surfer (body acting by Doug Jones, voice by Laurence Fishburne), who's prepping Earth for the cosmic, planet-eating Galactus to devour. The Silver Surfer isn't just cool-looking, he's actually not so bad. He doesn't like destroying planets, but he's a servant and must do as he's told. As nemeses go, he's as good as it gets.

Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon), on the other hand, really is villainous, and after the Silver Surfer's arrival brings him back to life, he wants nothing more than to swipe the powerful board for his own selfish purposes. So the Fantastic Four has a clear mission: Stop Von Doom and convince the Surfer to defy Galactus.

There's no internal monologue, no introspective brooding a la Peter Parker or Kal-El. The foursome work together, live together, and do what's best for the common good -- well, except for Johnny, who sometimes lets his hubris get in the way. They also have fun doing what they do: Johnny even suggests that they attach sponsors' logos to their skin-tight uniforms, like racecar drivers. It's funny, and in today's celeb-obsessed society, quite believable that superheroes -- especially ones who look like Alba, Evans, and Gruffudd -- would get corporate endorsements, hounded by the paparazzi, and followed by the tabloids.

As a film series, the improved Fantastic Four looks poised for another outing. That might annoy hardcore fanboys, but it's just fine for families who don't mind their superhero mythology a little lighter and less intense.

Families with older tweens who enjoy comic book-based adventures should also check out the original Fantastic Four, the X-Men series and the early Superman movies. Younger kids might like the TV version of the Fantastic Four, as well as Justice League Unlimited.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Several moments of spoken innuendo: Johnny asks The Thing how he and his girlfriend "you know;" Reed thinks scantily clad women at his bachelor party are "exotic dancers," but Johnny says they're just "hot." Johnny's girlfriend says being with him requires "fireproof lingerie" and "lots of aloe." Sue and Reed kiss on several occasions, and she tells him "I'm so hot for you right now." Johnny comes out of the shower in just a towel.
Violence Lots of explosions and crowds of people in jeopardy; the foursome, Johnny in particular, fight the Silver Surfer and Victor Von Doom. Someone is speared and temporarily dies. Another character is killed, but there's no blood.
Language Several uses of words/terms like "ass," "pissing me off," "crap," "what the hell," "freak," "screw-up," "damn," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior The four decide to stick together for the greater good; Johnny realizes he can be selfish and learns to be a team player; a rival redeems himself through self sacrifice.
	Commercialism Crunch, Keebler, Gillette, Fox News, Circuit City, E! News, Daily News, Dolce & Gabbana.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Club-goers drink beer; Ben drinks from oversized glasses; someone mentions Jell-O shots.