Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Much better than the first; OK for tweens and up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say that the sequel features a mix of action, humor, and some questionable content, including mild violence, suggestive scenes, and language that some find inappropriate for its PG rating. While opinions are divided—ranging from praise for its entertainment value and improvement over the first film to criticisms of poor storytelling and excessive violence—most agree it's a decent watch for tweens despite its flaws.
- mixed reviews
- questionable content
- improvement noted
- adequate for tweens
- divided opinions
- action and humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
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?
What is the appeal of superhero movies? How does this one compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 15, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : October 2, 2007
- Cast : Chris Evans , Ioan Gruffudd , Jessica Alba
- Director : Tim Story
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo.
- Last updated : October 15, 2025
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