Rise of the Silver Surfer BOX OFFICE Discussion

[batdude]

The film could have gone another half hour on the Surfer's origin alone. You know, about this kids versus fanboys thing, If we want a Batman Begins style FF movie it should be made clear to Fox.

 

[Kelly]

Who the hell wants to grow up ? t: I'm in kid heaven, compliments of Marvel. I don't want to grow up. If I did I would be like most here, and most of the critics. Old men ready for the nursing home. Dried up old prunes. People who forgot how to go to a movie and have fun. I don't want to get like that.

Carp there is a difference between an adult, acting younger than their years, and a 50+ man acting like a 15 year old...... BIG DIFFERENCE....

 

[Carp Man]

Carp there is a difference between an adult, acting younger than their years, and a 50+ man acting like a 15 year old...... BIG DIFFERENCE....

Hey. Who the hell am I hurting ? Noone. I'm just a faceless name typing on a keyboard, sitting behind a computer monitor. t:

 

[Hunter Rider]

The film could have gone another half hour on the Surfer's origin alone. You know, about this kids versus fanboys thing, If we want a Batman Begins style FF movie it should be made clear to Fox.

But FF shouldn't be anything like a Batman movie

 

[Carp Man]

But FF shouldn't be anything like a Batman movie

Have to keep going over, and over this. The FF comic is NOT, a deep, dark, serious comic. It is fun, lighthearted, corny, cheesy, pokes fun at itself comic. When are people going to get that ? This is not Batman, not Superman, not Ghost Rider, or any other serious comic you can think of. The 2 movies have stayed true to the spirit, if not the letter of the comic. It's that simple. K.I.S.S Keep It Simple Stupid. People want to make this harder than it is.

 

[Tony Stark]

Getting back to Box office, FF made 1.46 million on Wednesday, good enough for 7th place, now bumping it to 118.5 million overall domestically.

 

[Carp Man]

Getting back to Box office, FF made 1.46 million on Wednesday, good enough for 7th place, now bumping it to 118.5 million overall domestically.

It's going to hit 130, and close to 400 WW. That will make Fox, and Marvel happy. It's allready over 200 WW, and has 20 markets left to open in. Which would put the domestic 15.6 % below the 1st, but over 20 % more on the WW side.

 

[GL's Light]

It's going to hit 130, and close to 400 WW. That will make Fox, and Marvel happy. It's allready over 200 WW, and has 20 markets left to open in.

It should hit 130 domestic, but it won't come close to 400 worldwide. It'll probably make 320-330 worldwide, about the same as FF 1.

 

[Carp Man]

It should hit 130 domestic, but it won't come close to 400 worldwide. It'll probably make 320-330 worldwide, about the same as FF 1.

We'll see. I'm not worried about being wrong. We won't know till after the Japan run is over in Sept. So we'll have a long time to watch.

 

[X-Maniac]

Have to keep going over, and over this. The FF comic is NOT, a deep, dark, serious comic. It is fun, lighthearted, corny, cheesy, pokes fun at itself comic. When are people going to get that ? This is not Batman, not Superman, not Ghost Rider, or any other serious comic you can think of. The 2 movies have stayed true to the spirit, if not the letter of the comic. It's that simple. K.I.S.S Keep It Simple Stupid. People want to make this harder than it is.

You're missing the point.

The FF might have been fun, entertaining movies.... but they were clearly targeted at a child audience.

The problem with that is that the FF are not firmly established in the children's market. The cartoons are not well known, they are not well-known characters. And The Incredibles stole the thunder of the FF.

So, therefore, it stands to reason that the FF should stop aiming at children, and be a little deeper and more emotional and serious.

When Ben first transformed into Thing in FF1, that should have been a terrifying, heart-rending scene. Imagine how you would feel if you turned into orange rock - well, the audience needs to empathise and feel how Ben feels. The transformation wasn't even shown and there was no depth to the effect such a transformation might have on a human being. Many people go into meltdown if they have a zit, let alone metamorphose into orange crazy-paving.

I also disagree that the comics are all camp, corny, cheesy and about poking fun at each other. The FF comics I have aren't like that at all.

And, even if they were (which they aren't), that style clearly isn't completely working in a movie. The Incredibles already nailed the cheesy, dysfunctional superhero family who are bickering and quipping all the time. This movie has to aim at an adult audience - it needn't be and shouldn't be as dark as Batman Begins, but it needs to earn itself a little more respect. This second movie was much better, although it did almost go too far with the hammy humour.

What the franchise needs is
1) Some heavyweight acting (and directing) to bring gravitas and respect
2) A more serious script with less of the hammy humour
3) Deeper, more resonant themes to engage an adult audience
4) The Inhumans, portrayed in a serious, powerful way... they'd be a lesson to Thing in dealing with, and welcoming, freakish appearances (as they choose to mutate themselves); a lesson to Torch about his shallow seeking of fame (whereas they've remained hidden); a lesson to Sue and Reed about the nature of family (as their own ties have lasted for millennia). The Inhumans would bring the FF together finally into a perfect team who are called on to help them. I have script ideas in my head already...

 

[Agent 194]

I object slightly to saying FF it is light hearted, and campy fun. I've heard this several times since the first movie came out. I, as a kid, took it ultra seriously. Reed being so dramatic and so, so serious. That's just the way I accepted him. His crazy, enormous machines that no one man could make in a lifetime. I just took that as it was. I accepted it. "Well it's Reed Richards", I would say to myself. He's Mr. Fantastic.. He can do anything. I accepted it much the way I accepted the original Batman series. I never, ever, as a kid thought of it as anything other than high drama, and extremely fun seriousness. It wasn't until the Michael Keaton Batman movie came out and journalist of the day were comparing it to the old show and calling it camp, silly, and so forth that that even crossed my mind. "What do you mean it wasn't serious, wasnt real?" I thought. "Did you watch Adam West's performance?" "How much more serious can it get?"

When I met Adam West a few years ago and got to interview him for a local children's program. You could tell he was already conditioned by the tons of articles that called the Batman show camp and silly. He didn't expect me to take him seriously. I did. We all did. We treated him like royalty. I think it is an over simplification to say Fantastic Four was not a serious comic and didn't take it's self seriously. As fantastic and over the top as their world was, I always took it way more seriously than the darker worlds of Ghost Rider and such.

I don't need over explanation. Just do it. Show them in these situations. Just do it.

 

[batdude]

Basically, I think we can have humor and aim it to teenagers and young adults instead of kids. They should have kept the PG-13 rating at least.

 

[DieSmiling]

I object slightly to saying FF it is light hearted, and campy fun. I've heard this several times since the first movie came out. I, as a kid, took it ultra seriously. Reed being so dramatic and so, so serious. That's just the way I accepted him. His crazy, enormous machines that no one man could make in a lifetime. I just took that as it was. I accepted it. "Well it's Reed Richards", I would say to myself. He's Mr. Fantastic.. He can do anything. I accepted it much the way I accepted the original Batman series. I never, ever, as a kid thought of it as anything other than high drama, and extremely fun seriousness. It wasn't until the Michael Keaton Batman movie came out and journalist of the day were comparing it to the old show and calling it camp, silly, and so forth that that even crossed my mind. "What do you mean it wasn't serious, wasnt real?" I thought. "Did you watch Adam West's performance?" "How much more serious can it get?"

When I met Adam West a few years ago and got to interview him for a local children's program. You could tell he was already conditioned by the tons of articles that called the Batman show camp and silly. He didn't expect me to take him seriously. I did. We all did. We treated him like royalty. I think it is an over simplification to say Fantastic Four was not a serious comic and didn't take it's self seriously. As fantastic and over the top as their world was, I always took it way more seriously than the darker worlds of Ghost Rider and such.

I don't need over explanation. Just do it. Show them in these situations. Just do it.

I took Batman and Robin seriously when I first saw it -- but that's because I was 10, not because it was meant to be taken seriously.

 

[Hiruu]

Well...I think it's best to see something first, before leveling a critique of it, and after seeing Transformer this afternoon, it's pretty WOW. I went in think...WTF is up with the running time for an action movie...WELL...That time wasn't enough. Crap, the movie is really good, and far exceeded my expectation, and honestly, Had FF2 brought that kinda punch, we'd be talking $300 million, like the Transformer Fanboys are...it's that good. Now, that said, there's no way in hell that movie does $300 million, with Harry Potter and the remaining slate, plus the already healthy competition, but a sequel just might. Most would stay clear of it, and Bay is REALLLY great at action...REALLLY great...period. Even The Island had awesome action, but there's only so much you can do with that plot. After seeing it, I'm a bit jealous that FF2 wasn't as much action pack, but I'm also not that concern about Transformer taking over, since the theater wasn't sold-out, and probably about 55-60% capacity. Overall, I still think was VERY wise of the studio to push Transformers as far away from HP as possible. I'm more confident that FF3 is a go, and Transformer 2 is almost a given...since this isn't a review chain for Transformer, I'll just say...where do you go from here?!?!? Downward.....????

 

[NQ-B]

nvm

 

[Agent 194]

I took Batman and Robin seriously when I first saw it -- but that's because I was 10, not because it was meant to be taken seriously.

Well, I guess the point being is I'm 40 but I'm still in touch with the kid in me and I still love the show.

 

[Tony Stark]

I just don't get people who say they liked the movie, thought it was better than the first and are now criticizing it in retrospect.

There's nothing wrong with the aim or target audience of the films. They aren't "kiddie" films.

There was nothing wrong with the PG rating. They went for the rating because as Tim Story said, he thought they could get a PG rating without changing the movie. The studio went for it, because PG means larger audience.

PG-13 is usually reserved for films like Die Hard and 1408 that are rated R type films toned down so they can have a larger target audiences.

 

[Agent 194]

And furthermore what I'm saying is they can play it closer to the comic book and it will be accepted and be good.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

I dont think there will be a real difference even if the film is shown in other countries.I think its been long enough..so the question can be asked.

Is FF:ROTSS a success..dissapointment..or failure?

 

[Carp Man]

Wed's #'s are in. FF 2 $ 116,681,000 domestic. $ 201,181,523 WW thru July 4th. TF $ 65,725,939 domestic. $ 101,979,000 WW thru July 4th. TF retains same theater count. FF looses 806 theaters. Down to 2,618.

Well, I'll keep enjoying the silliness, and let all you "serious" adults argue. Lighten up. Sheesh.

TF was slated to start on the 5th. It started on the 2nd. What does that tell you the studio thinks of its chances after this weekend ? It's clear. They can read the handwritting on the wall. Shame noone else can. They have to grab as much as they can thru this weekend. After that, it's over.

 

[GreenKToo]

It amazes me that T.F. has made 65 mill dom so far. I wonder what it will be by the end of the weekend?? 150??

 

[Hiruu]

It amazes me that T.F. has made 65 mill dom so far. I wonder what it will be by the end of the weekend?? 150??

Why??? It had the 4th of July...and anticipation...I doubt it tops Tuesday's number...imho.

 

[DieSmiling]

Looks like only 10.19% predicted this movies box office correctly. There's a possibility this won't get past $130 million.

 

[Advanced Dark]

It amazes me that T.F. has made 65 mill dom so far. I wonder what it will be by the end of the weekend?? 150??

Could be way more than that. Add another 25-30 today then the whole weekend. Hell it's doing quite well. It's the second weekend support that will make the difference.

 

[Nokio]

You're missing the point.

The FF might have been fun, entertaining movies.... but they were clearly targeted at a child audience.

The problem with that is that the FF are not firmly established in the children's market. The cartoons are not well known, they are not well-known characters. And The Incredibles stole the thunder of the FF.

So, therefore, it stands to reason that the FF should stop aiming at children, and be a little deeper and more emotional and serious.

When Ben first transformed into Thing in FF1, that should have been a terrifying, heart-rending scene. Imagine how you would feel if you turned into orange rock - well, the audience needs to empathise and feel how Ben feels. The transformation wasn't even shown and there was no depth to the effect such a transformation might have on a human being. Many people go into meltdown if they have a zit, let alone metamorphose into orange crazy-paving.

I also disagree that the comics are all camp, corny, cheesy and about poking fun at each other. The FF comics I have aren't like that at all.

And, even if they were (which they aren't), that style clearly isn't completely working in a movie. The Incredibles already nailed the cheesy, dysfunctional superhero family who are bickering and quipping all the time. This movie has to aim at an adult audience - it needn't be and shouldn't be as dark as Batman Begins, but it needs to earn itself a little more respect. This second movie was much better, although it did almost go too far with the hammy humour.

What the franchise needs is
1) Some heavyweight acting (and directing) to bring gravitas and respect
2) A more serious script with less of the hammy humour
3) Deeper, more resonant themes to engage an adult audience
4) The Inhumans, portrayed in a serious, powerful way... they'd be a lesson to Thing in dealing with, and welcoming, freakish appearances (as they choose to mutate themselves); a lesson to Torch about his shallow seeking of fame (whereas they've remained hidden); a lesson to Sue and Reed about the nature of family (as their own ties have lasted for millennia). The Inhumans would bring the FF together finally into a perfect team who are called on to help them. I have script ideas in my head already...

Agreed! The unfortunate thing is that FOX already shot themselves in the foot for this franchise to ever be taken serious. The potential for real emotional drama and good human element is gone. The thing dealing with his transformation and reed's guilt over not being able to cure his freind was snatched out in the 1st one when Reed made the Cosmic machine that could easily change him back. Also lets not forget that in the end Reed says that he could still rework the machine and Ben says "he's good as is" WTF??

FOX runined this franchise from the start. Them and the writers had a different vision for the characters in this film. As someone mentioned before it's not clear what target audience that FOX was aiming for. It certainly wasn't the fans of the comics cause FOX thinks that we are silly fanboys living in basements and don't know what we're talking about when we complain about their asinine changes to classic characters like Doom, Galactus and The Phoenix. The SS was pretty dead on, but underdeveloped. The movie was a huge improvement over the 1st, but there was too much hammy humor, like the Thing burping in some guys face at the bar or him growling at a bear. Things like that should've been left out. There was no build up to the comimng of Galactus. You never felt that the Earth was in any real danger cause FOX defused the horror and danger of galactus.

Doom wasn't much different then the 1st. He never came across as this dangerous presence or that you should be afraid of him. At first i was like yeah, we're going to get a Doom somewhat closer to the comics when he got out of that armor and his horribly scared face was exposed. I thought they were going in the right direction, but then the SS zaps him and he heals up and is out walking about in street cloths and once again it's corporate Victor, who his never even referred to as Dr Doom. Their is never any intense hatred between him a Reed, and nor is his blaming Reed over his scarred face even in the movie. I thought when he got out of that Armor and we saw his face that here's were he can now blame reed, but nope. FOX gutted the characters and potential, and they did not lose any money because this film is still overperforming to me. Considering that god awful 1st one FOX is lucky they are turning a profit or will turn a profit from part 2. At this point I could care less if their's a 3rd one.