Fantastic Four (2005) is a live-action superhero film directed by Tim Story, based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. The movie is part of the early 2000s wave of superhero films and is loosely based on the comic book series created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby in 1961. The film is the first installment of a two-part series, followed by Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
The film begins with Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), a brilliant but somewhat socially awkward scientist, who teams up with his longtime friend, Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), to secure funding for an ambitious space mission. Reedโs plan is to study cosmic radiation and its potential effects on human evolution. He is joined by Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), a scientist and Reedโs ex-girlfriend, and her younger brother, Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), a hot-headed pilot.
As they embark on the mission, a freak accident occurs when the group is exposed to a cosmic storm. The storm floods the space station with strange energy that affects the crew differently, granting them superhuman abilities. These powers are a result of genetic alteration, transforming them into the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four:
- Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic): His body becomes hyper-elastic, allowing him to stretch and contort in extraordinary ways.
- Sue Storm (Invisible Woman): She gains the ability to turn invisible and create force fields, offering both defensive and offensive capabilities.
- Johnny Storm (Human Torch): He can fly and control fire, including shooting blasts of flame and igniting himself at will.
- Ben Grimm (The Thing): His body transforms into a massive, rock-like form, granting him incredible strength but also a deeply disfigured appearance, which causes him to struggle with his identity.
The newly transformed group of heroes returns to Earth, where they must confront the personal challenges that come with their powers. While some members embrace their new abilities, others, like Ben, feel alienated and trapped in their monstrous forms. Tensions begin to rise, and the team must figure out how to function together in the face of these personal crises.