 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
- Review Date: October 1, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Much better than the first; OK for tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
In the sequel FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, wedding plans fall apart for Sue "Invisible Woman" Storm (Jessica Alba) and Reed "Mr. Fantastic" Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) when the Fantastic Four (who are rounded out by Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) are called in to 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. As nemeses go, the Silver Surfer pales compared to Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon). 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.
Is it any good?
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.
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.
What families can talk about
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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Good role models lacking
Title says it all. Reed is depicted as a stereotypical male who, though good intentioned, can't seem to control his libido. Sure, Sue was indignant, but couldn't he be too?
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April 9, 2008
AGE
A Film for Adults in a Commercial Kiddie Wrapper
If you haven't already been pummeled with the rampant marketing and toy-exploitation for this film- stop now. This sad piece is little more than a commercial for the many movie product tie-ins.
It is violent, loud and has coarse dialogue that no parent wants repeated outside the cinema. The "message" that the film makers try to impart is over-powered by nasty physical and verbal fighting between characters and constant insults that are hurled.
Don't be lured to see this by the supposed"toned down" nature that has been appearing in reviews. It is a film that has been produced to fit adult tastes.
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AGE
Ehh
I think that this sequel is o.k. but the put to much stuff about 'you know' in it.
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AGE
Shows A Girl Naked! WTF! RATED R
A NAKED WOMEN IN A PG MOVIE. THAT IS WRONG!
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AGE
Garbage
This commercial for selling comic garbage is just that. The "its ok to have a bachelor party and degrade women" and other bad attitudes makes this movie more poision for everyone.
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AGE
this is a innapropriate movie, and i dont have the faintest idea how its pg. theres comic violence (superheros vs villans),
real violence images of guns, peril(plane about to crash and kill people), scary images(the rock guy) disturbing images(a planet blowing up), threats (ill kill you)language (a bit more than mild), alchohol (lots), and consumerism (dell) in movie and out of the movie (fan 4 backpacks)
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AGE
Okay sequel.
This movie was kind of stupid. If they wanted to make a good super hero movie they would make it for adults because they are the ones who actually read the comic books.
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AGE
Are You Kidding Me?
9+? It basically shows Jessica Alba naked!!!
(fumes)
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| Topics: | superheroes, adventures |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Tim Story |
| Cast: | Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 15, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | October 2, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo. |
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