Watching the 2005 Fantastic Four movie the other night, despite its cheesy moments and dated effects, it still managed to capture the essence of the comic book team. Michael Chiklis as The Thing was a standout, and Chris Evans delivered a solid Human Torch, their on-screen chemistry being a highlight. While Jessica Alba and Ioan Gruffudd were adequate as Sue and Reed respectively, the film overall was a fun, lighthearted superhero flick, embodying the spirit of the source material, even if Dr. Doom was underwhelming.
This positive revisit made me reflect on 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot, a film that took a darker, “Ultimate Marvel” approach but ultimately stumbled, particularly with its portrayal of Doctor Doom. While the 2005 film’s Doom was weak, the 2015 version somehow managed to be even less impactful. The movie itself shifts tones dramatically, struggling to find its identity, and the characters, though familiar in name, feel distant from their comic counterparts.
The 2015 Fantastic Four isn’t entirely without merit, but it lacks the fun and charm of its predecessor and certainly offers a far less satisfying Doctor Doom. It’s a film that seems lost, unsure of what it wants to be, and ultimately delivers a forgettable experience compared to the 2005 version which, while flawed, at least understood the core appeal of Marvel’s first family. What are your thoughts on how Doctor Doom was handled in the different Fantastic Four movies?
