Let’s net one thing straight, this is not a FF series for old-school Marvel fanboys; the kind who complain that an adaptation is cheesy if it is 100% faithful to the unique material but go ballistic if they change anything from the silly. I know you know who I’m talking about. This series is a recent reinvention of the superheroes we know and fancy and personally I enjoyed it. A lot.
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The animation is certainly above average for a cartoon; it’s not exactly Pixar, but it’s far first-rate to the more passe Amazing Four – The Complete Titillating Series with it’s obnoxious theme song. The search for is a uniquely unique mix of eastern and western styles with some nice CG, all of which may be off-putting to those who objective want an intriguing version of a forty year-old laughable book (that’s already been done…twice) but it works nonetheless. The series’ best attribute by far is it’s lively sense of humor. For example, in one episode Dr. Doom manages to switch bodies with Reed Richards after imprisoning himself. Reed, in Doom’s fully armored body, escapes and hails a cab. As he sits down in the support of the taxi, the driver eyes him for a second before commenting, “Hey, you’re that Iron Man guy, ain’t ya? “. Reed/Doom -rather than account for the insane situation- simply looks at him and responds, “Yes. Yes I am.”. Vast stuff, but if the belief of poking fun at classic humorous characters is sacrilegious to you, skip this exhibit. Johnny Storm’s deplorable insistence that everyone call Annihilus “The Annihilator!” as if he was a professional wrestler won’t gain him any fans among the overly earnest Marvel dilapidated guard of fandom. But his Doom impression is laugh-out-loud hilarious.
As with all Marvel gripping series, this one’s got it’s piece of guest stars including Iron Man, Ant Man, the Hulk (imprint to self: don’t execute fun of his momma), The Sub-Mariner, and more so three cheers for that. The series is episodic so there are no continuous arcs to follow, each present is a twenty dinky sage pudgy of comic situations, cold action scenes, and fresh interpretations of classic villains (the episode where the Skrulls disguise themselves as the FF’s neighbors and ask them bizarre questions about their powers/weaknesses is another fun one) . There are recurring characters and call-backs to previous episodes, but the stories themselves are self-contained. Nice and simple.
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While the early 90’s piquant series was powerful more faithful to the funny, the animation has not old well and the early episodes are nearly as cheesy at times as the unwatchable 60’s incarnation. It’s a obedient explain for fans of the droll that improved greatly as it went on, but there is a lot more to like about this incarnation if you can salvage over the lack of faithfulness to the source material. This is the FF at their funnest.
Anybody who prefers the older version has probably repressed the memory of Johnny Storm rapping (”flame on and on and on…) .
I’m extremely gay that Marvel has given us this series and NOT based it on the films; and even more so that they have released a pudgy season boxed location. Obvious, they milked some of you with a few single-disc releases first, but for those of you (like me) who crossed their fingers and hoped, here it is: Season One of “Astounding Four- World’s Greatest Heroes” complete with NINE unaired episodes, icy featurettes and commentaries, and even an art gallery. Even the packaging is top notch. I am well-pleased with this situation. I rate it 4 1/2 stars rounded up for successfully taking on the very difficult task of reinventing one of the last generation’s flagship titles. Be Pleased. Now, for the umpteenth time: Marvel, will you PLEASE release the 90’s X-Men, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Amazing Hulk series’ in their entirety?! I know you don’t dislike money so what gives?
If you’re a longtime fan of the Extraordinary Four, it’s hard not to be judgmental when you first obtain a glimpse of this present. But if you can acquire past the retooled character and costume designs (for the FF and their villains), and Reed’s unruly mop of hair and Johnny’s anime-influenced spiky do, and that spray-painted “4″ on Ben’s chest – then you might come by that this is a delicate friendly moving series. Or was, anyway, since it’s been canned already.
FANTASTIC FOUR: WORLD’S GREATEST HEROES debuted in September 2006 on the Cartoon Network. For the intriguing ones, this happens to be the fourth television incarnation of Marvel’s first superhero family, succeeding the 1967, 1978 (with H.E.R.B.I.E. taking over for the Torch), and the 1994 versions. It’s the hippest and funniest TV adaptation yet.
The series captures the essence of these characters. I’ve always liked Reed Richards, but he’s never been the ideal leading man. Here, he seems to be younger but as typically bland and henpecked (thanks, Sue), although at times his personality channels the hipper Ultimate Reed Richards. Johnny Storm, patterned after the live action film’s version, has never been more brash and immature, but he grew on me, and there are many times when he landed me in the comical giggles. He and H.E.R.B.I.E. provide a lot of the humor. The ever-lovin’ Thing is quiet a tragic monster, but big-hearted, as demonstrated in “Contest of Champions.” Johnny’s older sis, Susan, consistently plays the role of the grown-up in the team and makes a formidable second-in-command. I’m ecstatic that H.E.R.B.I.E. is serve in the mix. This time H.E.R.B.I.E. is the self-aware computer system which Reed constructs to encourage accelerate the Baxter Building. I dig how persistently pleased and neurotic this current incarnation of H.E.R.B.I.E. is.
The mythos and spirit of the FF are well translated onto the camouflage. The sci-fi backdrop. Reed’s futuristic gadgets. The classic and complex supervillains. The FF’s constant family bickerings and infighting. As per norm, Reed’s powerhouse intellect and scientific curiosity dictate that the team, besides holding down that saving the world gig, also acts as part-time explorers. As such, the foursome frequently demolish up in outlandish environments, whether it’s the Microverse, the Negative Zone, on a different planet, or even in an alternate timeline. The Unbelievable Four have always been adventurers on an narrative scale. Mining from the FF mythos, quite a few of the episodes here are inspired by classic FF stories from the funny book (the FF getting evicted, Reed and Doom trading bodies, the Baxter Building being launched into residence, the coming of Terminus, etc.) .
The scattershot TV scheduling never gave the display a chance to compose a true following. In my case, the sporadic airing left me lukewarm and even feeling necessary of the episodes, and of the changes effected. But, now, having unbiased seen the entire urge on this box situation, I’ve near around 180. After precise viewing, the continuity and cohesiveness of the display are more readily discerned, despite that the stories tended to be episodic. Past events are recalled in later episodes. Torch’s apprehension of water is revisited a number of times. The Baxter Building tenants have recurring appearances.
As done by the French-based animation house, Moonscoop, the animation is crazy bananas – a wintry, fairly mild integration of 2D and CG, and rendered with lush and colorful colors. Everything looks astronomical – the FF certainly, but also the revamped classic villains. And the background details are fine stuff! The city landscape, for example, is impressively depicted time and again. The “Annihilate” episode, in particular, showcases some sparkling visuals. And, the stuff’s presented in anamorphic widescreen. Also, I don’t want to leave out the episode title cards, which struck me as icy and sharp visuals. The theme song, however, is dang used.
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes: The Complete First Season, in four discs, collects all 26 episodes, quite a few of which never got a chance to be aired. This terrific looking box residence offers these bonus features: audio commentaries by Head Writer Chris Yost and Exec Producer Craig Kyle on 3 episodes: “My Neighbor Was A Skrull,” “Contest of Champions,” and “Scavenger Hunt”; “From Origin to Animation” (18 minutes long) tracks the FF’s plan and evolution and includes an interview with Stan Lee; “Rise of the Rogues” (9 minutes) covers the FF’s classic villains (again, with Stan Lee) ; “Traveling to Recent Dimensions” focuses on the animation work and features interviews with the Moonscoop crew; four art galleries, including one showcasing some classic FF droll book covers; and even a tiny comical book reprinting Ultimate Astounding Four #1.
The surface tweaks might be disconcerting at first, but, trust me, unprejudiced roll with them. You’ll come by that this is the quintessential Astonishing Four. The same dysfunctional team, the same family of superheroes. Ben’s self-loathing as a monster, Ben and Johnny’s non-stop teasing and pranking, the classic supervillains, all these bring a retro feel to the point to, hearkening encourage to when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were doing the honors on the World’s Greatest Magazine. And, really, when was the Incredible Four franchise ever better than when those two broken-down coots were running it?
- Episode 1 – “Doomsday” – Dissension fractures the team as the media accuses Reed of having deliberately exposed Sue, Ben, and Johnny to cosmic rays on their fateful site mission.
- Episode 2 – “Molehattan” – When Manhattan highrises commence to sink underground, it could only mean the work of the Mole Man. And, this time, Ol’ Moley wants Ben to join his side.
- Episode 3- “Trial by Fire” – Johnny Storm is charged with high crimes against the intergalactic Kree Empire. Johnny’s trial lawyer? Reed Richards.
- Episode 4- “Doomed” – Doom’s mind transference technology enables him to swap bodies with Reed. A camera crew follows Johnny around to film a “day in the life” segment.
- Episode 5 – “Puppet Master” – A segment of the station residence in which the FF originally got their powers crashes onto a beach and irradiates the sculpting clay of Alicia Masters’s timid step-father.
- Episode 6 – “Zoned Out” – When a portal to the Negative Zone is opened, bug creatures drawn to energy invade the Baxter Building. This couldn’t be a worse time for a tenants’ meeting to be held.
- Episode 7 – “Hard Knocks” – Two words: “Hulk fracture!”
- Episode 8 – “My Neighbor Was A Skrull” – Fantastic episode. The Baxter Building suffers a systems breakdown even as the F.F.’s neighbors collect all weird; H.E.R.B.I.E. begins speaking in Spanish: “El gato es muy macho.”
- Episode 9 – “World’s Tiniest Heroes” – A lab mishap causes the team to drastically shrink; guest-starring Ant Man.
- Episode 10 – “De-Mole-ition” – While out in the streets of Recent York, bright in family time, the FF are attacked by a giant monster which bursts from underneath. So grand for family time.
- Episode 11 – “Impossible” – Reed’s state probe returns with an unexpected guest: the roguish, shapeshifting Impossible Man. Now the F.F. can’t earn rid of the pesky alien.
- Episode 12 – “Bait and Switch” – A power surge accidentally has the Amazing Four switching powers…and personality traits. Unbiased in time for Doctor Doom to recall advantage.
- Episode 13 – “Annihilation” – The FF are whooshed thru a mysterious sphere and into the Negative Zone, where their powers are drastically boosted. Oh, and they meet Annihilus… and an used foe.
- Episode 14 – “Revenge of the Skrulls” – The Skrulls are encourage, bringing with them the Elegant Skrull (who boasts all of the F.F.’s powers), but their plot is thwarted by the F.F. – and some nerd named Rupert, who won Susan’s “Be A Unbelievable Fifth for a Day” contest. Meanwhile, Ronan the Accuser seeks revenge against the Human Torch.
- Episode 15- “Strings” – The Astounding Four are evicted from the Baxter Building. Now they have to gain precise jobs.
- Episode 16 – “Imperius Rex” – Namor the Sub-Mariner (and Prince of Atlantis) bars the human speed from the world’s oceans. And Johnny, who hates getting wet, gets wet.
- Episode 17 – “Doomsday Plus One” – At 4am, Doctor Doom takes over the Baxter Building and launches it into space; the tenants aren’t contented with this.
- Episode 18 – “The Cure” – Reed reverts Ben serve to before that fateful residence inaugurate, thus making him human again, but without his memories intact; guest-starring She-Hulk.
- Episode 19 – “Homely” – Depart over, Astounding Four. There’s a original superhero team in town – the Repugnant Four.
- Episode 20 – “Out of Time” – Returning from a time travelling jaunt, the FF earn that present-day Unique York is now ruled by Doctor Doom.
- Episode 21 – “Atlantis Attacks” – Having been forcefully deposed as monarch of Atlantis, Namor ascends to the surface world with a dire warning: the massive Atlantean army is on the attack (or as Ben says: “It’s, uh, a lot of fish guys.”) .
- Episode 22 – “Shell games” – Versions of the Iron Man armor attack the FF. H.E.R.B.I.E. fears he is about to be replaced.
- Episode 23 – “Johnny Storm and the Potion of Fire” – When Johnny is doused with Diablo’s alchemy potion, it turns him kinda sinister.
- Episode 24 – “Contest of Champions” – I really dug this one. The FF must compete in a contest against Ronan the Accuser, the Super-Skrull, Annihilus and the Impossible Man, with the fate of humanity at stake. Among the games selected: charades, scooter racing, and a spelling bee (Annihilus: “Could you employ that word in a sentence? “) .
- Episode 25 – “Doom’s World Is Law” – One of Doctor Doom’s doombots gains sentience and is befriended by Ben.
- Episode 26 – “Scavenger Hunt” – Terminus, fearsome scourge of the universe, comes to scavenge the planet Earth.
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