It’s funny how revisiting older movies can shift your perspective. Catching Fantastic Four (2005) on TV recently, despite its age and somewhat dated CGI, I found myself enjoying it more than I remembered. Sure, it’s cheesy at times, and the special effects weren’t groundbreaking even for 2005. Dr. Doom, while not perfect, was part of a film that at least seemed to understand the core appeal of Marvel’s first family. The casting, particularly Michael Chiklis as The Thing and Chris Evans as Human Torch, really captured the familial dynamic that makes the Fantastic Four work in the comics. Jessica Alba and Ioan Gruffudd were also reasonable choices for Sue and Reed, respectively. Ultimately, it was a fun superhero film, embodying the lighthearted adventure often associated with the Fantastic Four in their comic book origins.
Then, my mind drifted to Fantastic Four 2015. This movie attempted to take a darker, “grittier” approach, drawing inspiration from the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics. However, in doing so, it seemed to lose sight of what makes these characters, and especially their nemesis, compelling. The 2015 version of Doctor Doom is often cited as one of the film’s biggest failures, and for good reason.
The 2015 film feels disjointed, almost like two different movies stitched together. It begins as a science-focused origin story, then abruptly shifts into a rushed and underwhelming superhero conflict. This tonal inconsistency is jarring, and the characterizations suffer as a result. While the 2005 film embraced its comic book roots with a sense of fun, the 2015 reboot seemed ashamed of them, resulting in a joyless and frankly less watchable experience. It’s a film that many fans and critics agree not only failed to capture the spirit of the Fantastic Four but also delivered a significantly weaker portrayal of Doctor Doom than its much-maligned predecessor. Considering how poorly received the Dr. Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) was by some, managing to create an even less effective version in Fantastic Four Doctor Doom 2015 is quite an unfortunate accomplishment.
In retrospect, while Fantastic Four (2005) is far from a perfect superhero movie, it at least understands the fundamental appeal of the team and delivers a more entertaining and recognizable version of their world. Fantastic Four Doctor Doom 2015, on the other hand, feels like a misstep on almost every level, particularly in its handling of such an iconic villain.
