FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER
Better than the first, but still not quite fantastic.
Should You Watch It?
This sequel improves on the first movie with a stronger, more streamlined story. The Fantastic Four face a threat from outer space, an old enemy, and the harder task of working through their personal struggles with one another.
The film has moral elements, including good versus evil, and brief Christian symbolism. But cheap shtick, puns, and eye-rolling dialogue keep it from becoming truly fantastic. There is also sensuality, plenty of action, brief foul language, and a basically humanist worldview with an overt allusion to evolution.
For superhero-loving middle schoolers and older viewers, this is a reasonable choice with parental discernment; younger children may be better served elsewhere.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThe radiation-induced superheroes Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing face a new foe from outer space: the Silver Surfer, who seeks to destroy every living thing on Earth.
To stop him, the team must work with its old nemesis, Dr. Doom, who claims to have information that could help. As the clock ticks, the Fantastic Four must also confront their own struggles with one another.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is an enjoyable but limited superhero sequel. Its story is stronger and more streamlined than the first installment, giving the movie a clearer path as the Fantastic Four join forces against a new threat.
Still, the film is held back by cheap shtick, puns, and dialogue that can prompt eye-rolling. It delivers plenty of PG-rated action, but it ultimately falls short of being fantastic.
The Worldview
The film has some moral elements, especially the conflict between good and evil. It also includes brief Christian symbolism, including an allusion to Christ on the cross when a man gives his life for humanity. A news anchor asks whether “the hand of God” is at work.
Those elements do not define the movie’s overall outlook. The worldview is basically humanist, with an overt reference to evolution as a theory of humanity’s origins. The story also includes romantic elements, including a superhero helping a villain for “the one I love.” The movie’s moral concerns are present, but they are surrounded by a worldview that does not center humanity’s need for God.
The film’s question about sacrifice can point toward the biblical truth that “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Mostly strong humanist worldview with strong evolutionary elements as man describes theory of evolution, along with some elements of romanticism where superhero helps villain for “the one I love;” one brief Christian allusion to Christ on the cross as man’s arms are outstretched as he gives his life for humanity, one mention in reference to the catastrophic things happening in the movie is that “scientists have ruled out global warming,” and a news anchor asks, “Is the hand of God at work?”, some moral elements of good versus evil and one brief joke as invisible woman doesn’t want to sew sponsor names on their uniforms and the human torch replies, “What do you have against capitalism?”; five mostly light obscenities, two light profanities (“My God!”) and several substitute words including some name calling; lots of action violence including cars flipping, explosions, gunfire, people falling, fighting, punching, and other general action mayhem, some killing is implied and one man is blown up by villain; some kissing, some sexual innuendo and other light sexual dialogue as women flirt with superheroes and some seductively-clad women dance suggestively in a night club; upper male nudity, female cleavage and implied female nudity as onlookers take photos, although nothing is shown; light alcohol consumption in a couple of bar and club scenes; no smoking; and, miscellaneous immorality includes lying and destruction of property, mainly by the villain.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The Fantastic Four must work through personal struggles while facing a crisis. What helps people move from conflict toward cooperation?
Ephesians 4:2–3 · Philippians 2:3–4The film includes good versus evil and a sacrifice for humanity. How does Christ’s sacrifice differ from heroic sacrifice in a superhero story?
John 15:13 · Romans 5:6–8The movie presents evolution as an explanation of humanity’s origins. What does Genesis say about how human beings were made, and why does that matter?
Genesis 1:26–27 · Psalm 139:13–14The story includes a question about whether “the hand of God” is at work. How should Christians recognize God’s providence without treating every event as easy to explain?
Romans 8:28 · Deuteronomy 29:29The Final Word
This sequel is better than the first, with a stronger story and meaningful moral elements. Its cheap humor, sensuality, action violence, brief foul language, and humanist worldview call for discernment. For middle schoolers and older viewers, our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
