7-25-05,9:15am

Fantastic Four (Directed by Tim Story)

Marvel Comics’ first superheroes are very much second best compared with the two film adaptations of their most popular character Spiderman.

Yet, for many more kids who like their comic book capers kept simple, Fantastic Four will, no doubt, satisfy with its less-than-spectacular special effects.

Anyway, it’s all a matter of merchandising - the kids demand that their parents fork out for four action figures instead of one. As for the doll of Dr Doom, he’s a stylish evildoer more in the mould of Star Wars’s black-clad Darth Vader.

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd plays Dr Richard Reed, the brilliant boffin who has a theory that he could unlock the secret of human genetic codes if only he could study a cosmic cloud.

With NASA turning him down, he naturally goes to his college buddy turned corporate capitalist Vincent von Doom (Julian McMahon).

So, they shoot off to space, along with Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), Reed’s ex-girlfriend Sue Storm (Jessica Alber) and her hot-headed brother Johnny (Chris Evans).

Miscalculation leads to an explosive meeting with the cosmic cloud - transforming them all into spandex-clad mutants.

The scientist becomes the elastic Mr Fantastic, since he’s proved more than once that he has an obdurate personality

Bluff Ben transforms into an orange-coloured rock creature called Thing with one chat-up line: “It’s clobbering time.”

Naturally, testosterone-charged Johnny becomes Torch, since he’s determined to light up the celebrity sky like a super-nova.

As for wily woman Sue? Her maternal role is enhanced with the power of invisibility and the ability to protect people with a force field.

All are exaggerated stereotypes, either complimenting or contradicting their inner selves, designed to fight like comrades in arms.

Given their combined power, it isn’t surprising that the transformation of Doom makes him more powerful - a metal monster with the power of electricity.

So, the battle begins, while Dr Richards continues his experiments to find a cure that will return them all to being normal pains in the bum.

Meanwhile, Ben and Johnny will spark off each other while the old flames Richard and Sue reignite their latent passions.

It’s obviously intended as a pilot that will be fleshed out in fine comic book tradition over the next few years if it sells the merchandise.

From www.morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star