Fantastic Four: I Liked It, Is That A Problem?

Reviewers seem to be lining up to knock the new Fantastic Four movie. One only has to go to the Rotten Tomatoes FF page to see just how disappointed many folks are.

But here's the crazy part.

I liked it.

Sure, it suffered from too many cooks in the kitchen, and the typical developmental hellish impact that Hollywood can have on a complicated and much anticipated property like the FF,

But here's my litmus test. I saw a screening on Tuesday, and rather than just being a room full of media, it was a mixed bag of average consumers and reviewers. The film ended, and people clapped and cheered. Not the reviewers mind you, we're too jaded to do that.

It's a PG-13 film I can take my five-year old son to see (if I brace him for the violence, which fortunately is rare). It has the quintessential Stan Lee cameo (please Stan, stop already..the Hitchcock bit is getting old).

I love folks that compare it (negatively) to Sin City or Constantine. I'll accept the comparisons to The Incredibles--that juxtaposition makes sense. But saying FF is no Sin City is as reasonable as trying to complain that Archie Comics will never be as good as Love & Rockets. It's an apples/oranges comparison, I'm afraid.

I liked it. I can't explain why. I won't justify the plot holes or the other film's failings. I just know I'll be taking my son.