For me, torch and thing were the best of the 4. The suit was better than CGI because it seemed less outlandish, not to mention that Michael Chikless was the very image of the thing. And I thought the guy playing Johnny Storm was perfectly cast. Sue was bitchy and annoying. Reed needed work. I know the actor who played him, Ioah Gufford, is better than this. I've seen him acting in other roles, like Horatio Hornblower, and I know this is sub-par for him. Maybe it's the directing, and not so much the films themselves that needs work. Also, Doom must have a shit load of technology including Doombots next movie. I'm expecting something good from the Silver Surfer. The actor playing him is the guy who was Abe Sapien in Hellboy. I think he has the acting chops. But who's playing the big 'G'?
I thought all the F.F. actors were good within the confines of the script. Bu that charmed/nip-tuck guy as Doom really sucked.
I heard him explain in an interview that he gave up on try to create an accent for a country that doesn't really exist... what a cop-out for an actor... he obviously doesn't take his craft seriously.
Note: Tom Hanks did it in The Terminal.
IMHO F4 first movie judgements:
Plot:
Part based on the original tale, part based on the Ultimate version.
We got them in the present, we got Doom which is showed being an european man who reached the heights of power, but comes from Latveria, so the connections for the second movie are estabilished.The F4 are good, Ben is the voice of reason, who goes straight up for the things while Reed's excessive seek of logic leads them into troubles sometimes, like the Cosmic Storm.We got Susan, which is used to make an image of a turning on heroine, while with more work from Jessica Alba she could have been portrayed a bit better.Johnny is a well builted young guy, always seeking chicks, glory, fun and less safier as he can find attractions and things to do.
It's a 7/10, after all, for a 2 hours movie, the coming out wasn't that bad.
Characters:
Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom
Let's start from the only displeasing.His origins are linked more to the Ultimate counterpart than to those of the 616 Universe.The metallic alloy of the space station's shields make him a sort of Colossus, which can also emit, absorb and channel electrical energies.His appearence begin to slowly change, and when he boosts his powers using the energies drained from Ben, his face become more scared, forcing him to use the mask, a gift from his loved Latveria.But Doom is supposed to be a scientific genius on par with Reed, he only proved his competence "healing" Ben.Then we got him using a rocket launcher, having a slugfest with the Thing and then blasting the whole team with his electrical blasts.That's why Tim Story says he'll be back in FULL DOOM.He is more than a superhuman strength and durability owner who blasts electricity and is made of organic metal.Doom reappered at the F4 presence owning an armor which made him a one man army and enhanced his presence when he stays along side of his enemies.The costume for the movie was cool to me, more a coat than a vest, but ok, and the mask was great.But how is Tim Story going to put him in FULL DOOM version?
He'll break out from suspended animation while in Latveria, and use his remained resources to built up his fortress and take over the nation, and that's a reasonable plot.But for his powers?
1.Using a machine e's able to channel back the cosmic energies with a machine, then he uses them to power up a suit of armor, so he gains back human appearence but his face is still horribly scared.
2.He MUST built up a suit of armor to channel his powers to further levels and become more powerful and also gave the armor some enhancements and defensive and offensive systems to grant himself better chances of winning the next time.His suit of armor will not make him looking like a walking tank, just be something to put over his body, so not very huge or excessivly thick.
To me, these are reasonable changings in the character, on the abilities.
About his way of acting:
Outsmarting Ben wasn't that great feat of intelligence.Taking weapons from his industries blasting the guards, I mean he's supposed to be respected and feared even as a simple man, why does he have to blast his way to his properties, or former ones like a common superthug like Electro or the Beetle?
Also the lack of really megalomany, or thirst for power in the dialogues, maked MacMahon looking like the not good actor he isn't.I follow him from NIP/TUCK and Charmed, he's more than this.
Anyway, considering I finally saw my favourite of all villain on the big screen, he got his green cape, the hood and make some kickass decent action, and thank to MacMahon it's a 7/10 but it's gaved trusting into more developments.