20th Century Fox in association with Marvel Studios presents a PG rated 92 minute action adventure thriller directed by Tim Story and starring Ioan Grufford (Reed Richards), Jessica Alba (Sue Storm), Chris Evans (Johnny Storm), Michael Chiklis (Ben Grimm), Julian McMahon (Victor Von Doom), Kerry Washington (Alicia Masters), Andre Braugher (General Hager), Laurence Fishburne (Voice of Silver Surfer), Doug Jones (The Silver Surfer), Beau Garrett (Captain Raye), Brian Posehn (Wedding Minister) and Zach Grenier (Mr. Sherman/Rafke).
Is it possible for a sequel to be better than the original? Well, in this case like Aliens was to Alien, yes! As the wedding plans of Reed and Sue are in progress so is the trip of the Silver Surfer on his way to the planet earth. Johnny, who happens to be covered in product endorsements at times struggles with the fact that his name may be a bit too childish and strives to become more mature in this sequel. He decides to throw Reed a bachelor party which makes for some pretty entertaining special effects moments laced with hysterical character lines. Until a damper is put on the party by General Hager who seeks the help of the Fan 4. Something is causing global climatic changes and has entered the atmosphere causing Suruga Bay, Japan to freeze over, Giza Egypt to encounter a blizzard and the electricity throughout Los Angeles to go dark. Is it Global warming or the visitation of an alien life force working its way across the continents to extinguish all of mankind.
Wedding bells ring atop the roof of a high rise for the happy couple, pretty cool idea by the way until all hell breaks loose nearly causing the death of all the wedding guests even before the final words, I do are spoken. All Sue wants is to live a normal life and raise a family but in this day and age what is normal! Someone once told me it was when you are most happy in your current surroundings.
As the Silver Surfer who looks like a ripped GQ stud made of mercury riding atop a surf board enters the New York skyline Johnny "flames on". He pursues what appears to be the villain causing atmospheric eruptions and a traumatic quick ending to what was to be a beautiful wedding. Hey, Jessica Alba in a wedding gown, yes she's hot! Literally even more so when Johnny's powers get reversed onto her and the others from a single touch.
Victor re-enters the scene as he meets up with the Silver Surfer in Russell Glacier, Greenland with more motives than meet the eye. He eventually joins forces with the Fan 4 in order to stop the destruction of their planet. In eight days all that they know will no longer exist. Within this time they must discover what the pulse is behind this Silver Surfer and tarnish is metallic finish. There are some great CGI effects throughout this entire film with several taking place at the London Eye as the battle of forces race against time and reason. Leave it to the brilliant writers to not only add phenomenal character development as the main actors join forces but lace it with humor, a bit of sexuality and enough force to keep this marvel rolling for 92 minutes. They even bear it all in a hysterical moment with Ben in the woods and add a touch of emotions to what appears to be a stone cold Silver Surfer.
Overall, discoveries are made about the Silver Surfer in Siberia that lead the government, Victor and the Fan 4 to believe that he is not the true destroyer but rather a messenger from Galactus. Choices are made by many which lead to the death of some and unknown fortunes to others which of course leaves this film open for yet another sequel. Hopefully as well directed, produced and written as this one. Who said you have to be "normal" to have a family? Well not the Fan 4 who are everything but and thank goodness for that because this rendition is truly worth catching a wave to your nearest theatre for the best sci-fi, action, adventure, fantasy ride yet of the season. But remember it's not over until the wedding bells ring and the surf is high.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.