Snootz

I was fascinated by this film almost all the way through. I can understand why it won so many awards (including two Oscars). The story telling, animation, characterization of the animals... it was all top notch.

Someone mentioned the cat didn't act like a cat. As strange an unusual as this film is, THAT is what bothered you? This is an animation, not an animal film. We have a bird and a hyrax using a ship rudder accurately, animals rescuing other animals, non-verbal communications, and someone says the cat doesn't act like a cat? LOL.

The one issue I had with the film... and is why I gave it only 6 stars instead of higher, was the repeated use of "let the audience figure out what's going on". I don't go to a movie to design the plot myself, or try to figure out some extremely obscure meaning, as if the writers and director thinks we can read their mind. This is present nowhere more strongly than the ending, which will likely leave a lot of viewers scratching their heads.

Mind you, a movie doesn't always have to have a deeper meaning, or even an ending. But when they FEEL like they should and DON'T... that's where the problem comes it. One is left with the feeling that the author / writer / script writers / director was trying to say something here, but just didn't quite get it across.

But as far as the animation, characters, feeling of the story and character interaction, that was excellent. Would I recommend this to a friend? Not with that ending. I require a bit more of a film than, "That's a wrap, fade to black!"

I'm not really sure why people weren't more impressed with this movie. It is my favorite of the F4 franchise. Maybe some didn't like it because it was "different"... not realizing this is set in a parallel universe.

The clues to this are numerous. The 50s retro vibe. Different actors entirely. But the most revealing detail is the Silver Surfer (no spoilers here).

The directing, cinematography, special effects, writing and acting is superb. I enjoyed the portrayal of all the characters very much, to the point it's difficult to pick out a favorite. But Sue Storm and Ben Grimm stand out the most in acting chops and the characters portrayed.

There's not a disappointing moment in this entire movie, right down to the unexpected ending which if anything leaves us wanting more.

When I read the negative ratings, I have to believe that either a whole lotta people didn't understand the alternate universe concept... or that today's viewing audience is becoming so jaded that no movie, however good, is going to satisfy their CGI / adrenaline junkie brains. That's a sad statement for today's film-going audience. People need to chill out more and just enjoy the ride. The excessively-demanding and overly-critical nature of today's audience has ruined IMDB reviews. Bad acting? Bad story? Seriously people, the only bad things here are the hyper-negative reviews. Chill out. For those who didn't like it I have bad news: your future film watching days are going to be filled with disappointment after disappointment. They're demanding perfection in an imperfect world. Their judgement scale is unbalanced. They are just itching to find something to badmouth... and in doing so miss the delight of what this film presented: an alternate universe Fantastic Four.

I rate this 10 not because it's the best movie ever made, but because it's enjoyable and excellent within its intended scope. I'd watch this on again in a heartbeat, which is my hightest praise for a film.

This is pure action adventure, with almost constant action / fighting / killing / a high body count. Don't go in expecting cerebral fiction.

The closest this comes to ethical concept is the power of A. I. and how it is used. That's pretty yawn and is the extent of this film.

The rest is purely a beautiful actress beating up and killing people, and being eat up in return. There are a couple of minor plot twists, but this is pretty much well-directed constant fight and chase scenes.

I was torn between rating this 5 and 6, but lately I've become slightly more discerning in my movies, and falling back on pure action / adventure without much in the way of a good script no longer impresses me. Any clown can make an action / adventure film. It takes skill and a good script to make a "thinker", or at least an Indiana Jones (which was a considerably more creative action / adventure).

So I can't say I actually "recommend" this unless you're really crazy about Gal Gadot (and who isn't?). She does a good job in this film as do all the actors. The directing is fine for what it is. The storyline is typical formula schlock. If that's what you're in the mood for, you can choose this over more intellectual and pointed films, and go for the eye candy.