One Fantastic Four Actor Defends the 2005 Marvel Movie Against Critics
20 years ago, Marvel's iconic superhero team, the Fantastic Four, made their cinematic debut. Directed by Tim Story and starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, the 2005 film was a groundbreaking entry in the superhero genre. While some might argue that Pixar's The Incredibles (2004) was a similar or even superior adaptation, the 2005 version was a significant step forward for Marvel on the big screen.
Despite its mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, the movie was a commercial success, leading to a sequel. The 2007 follow-up, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, continued the story with the same leads, including the arch-nemesis, Doctor Doom, played by Julian McMahon. However, the sequel failed to impress critics and audiences alike, leading to a reboot in 2015.
Now, one of the original stars of the Tim Story films, Michael Chiklis, has spoken out, defending the movies against unfair criticism. Chiklis, known for his portrayal of Ben Grimm/The Thing, believes the films were underrated and unfairly maligned by critics.
Chiklis' Defense of the Films
In a recent interview with Collider, Chiklis expressed his admiration for the 2005 and 2007 films, stating that critics got it wrong. He believes the movies were very loved by the audience and that critics were too harsh in their reviews. Chiklis' performance as The Thing was one of the few bright spots in the films, and he delivered what many consider the best portrayal of the character on screen.
Chiklis also praised the practical effects used to bring The Thing to life, highlighting the dedication and craftsmanship that went into creating the character. Despite not having watched the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Chiklis is a fan of the actor who played the character in that film, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, calling him a 'terrific actor'.
The Crossroads of Superhero Movies
The Tim Story Fantastic Four films were released during a pivotal time in the superhero genre. While other Marvel projects from that era, such as X-Men and Spider-Man, were highly successful, Daredevil and the Fantastic Four were not as well-received and often ridiculed by fans. This was partially satirized in Deadpool & Wolverine, where Chris Evans' Johnny Storm/The Human Torch met a comedic end.
However, the Story films were quickly overshadowed by other superhero movies that would define the genre for the next decade. Batman Begins, released in the same year, had a significant cultural impact, despite both films grossing over $300 million at the global box office. Spider-Man 3, released the same summer as Rise of the Silver Surfer, also had a mixed reception but became the highest-grossing entry in the Sam Raimi trilogy.
The one-two punch of Iron Man and The Dark Knight in 2008 laid the foundation for the superhero cinema of the 2010s, leaving the Fantastic Four films in the dust. Despite their imperfections, Chiklis believes the films were ahead of their time and deserve more credit.
