How could I possibly be unhappy with Fantastic 42?

So… it’s pretty well known by now in most comic book and film geek circles that the big chimps in Hollywood are planning another Fantastic Four movie. As much as I wish I could say this is one of those Exorcist prequel scenarios where they did make a decent film but then decided to shelve it and make a shitty blockbuster with CGI hyenas rejected from Diablo 2: THE MOVIE only to then release the original in an attempt to stave back the swarm of franticly flustered seagullian marquee squawkers… I’m afraid they are just giving us a sequel… that presumably learned nothing from the first films mistakes, which is sad. I mean jeez, I’m not even a fan of the Fantastic Four comics, and just the previews to that flick poured the boil of my sack-o-kittens.

If the studios want to give us more rubber-man action, I say bring on Sky High 2! That puppy did it right. Probably the most fun I’ve had watching a silly children’s film since Cats & Dogs. If you missed it, by all means it’s worth a rent or a movie channel viewing… especially if you liked Cats & Dogs and grew up on Nickelodeon back in the day.

But isn’t Sky High basically a poor man’s Harry Potter/Incredibles hybrid? Well… yeah… But it’s a damn good poor man’s Harry Potter/Incredibles hybrid with Kurt Russell, Bruce Campbell, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald and… Lynda Carter! The overall jokes are pretty decent and each of the before mentioned actors shine along with many of the teen actors. The restraint used in regard to CGI was a breath of fresh air. I mean it’s there, but a lot of things are done with props, which gives it a nicer feeling.

There is really something about the physical that looks fake, versus the CGI that almost looks real. It’s like with props, you’re playing make believe the way you did as a kid with plastic swords and stuff. The feeling even spills into the goofy CGI that is in Sky High. With CGI drenched films like Fantastic Four though, you feel like your being lied to by the worst poker player in the world. The props are more playful, with a few breakaway wall effects that I hope are actually incorporated into more serious action moves. The way they did the scene where they threw Steven Strait (Warren Peace) through the wall was actually pretty cool on a technical level.

Over all it’s a silly kids movie, so in that regard I imagine it won’t be the solution to many pissed off F4 fans out there, but I sure as hell enjoyed it on a slow Saturday afternoon at home.

Peace.