"Don't Insult My Intelligence": Fantasy Vs. Stupidity

[Lightning Strykez!]

"Don't Insult My Intelligence":
Fantasy Vs. Stupidity
An Essay By Lightning Strikez!
​

As I watched the first Fantastic Four film recently, I was reminded of the fact that there are a few things that I really hope the filmmakers take pains to avoid with this new sequel. One of them has to deal with fantasy being dipped in the vat of stupidity, and allowed to dry for audiences to accept. I believe this approach damaged the perception some people had of Fantastic Four, and could potentially hurt its sequel if utilized again.

Case in point: Some of the most notable eye-rolling, "Yeah Right" moments I recall (while watching the first movie in theatres 2 summers ago) revolved around the relationship between Debbie and Ben Grimm. Here was a woman that (in the theatrical version) is hinted at being married to this NASA superstar, only to coldly abandon him right after he's disfigured. There's no discussion. No compassionate consoling. No healing. No time to breath. The bond is just abruptly axed.

While I was all for Ben being dumped and moving on to the Masters situation, I felt the way this particular relationship was handled was extremely shoddy and unrealistic. When you consider how many of our soldiers are being burned and maimed in wars--and yes they are married, have girlfriends, families, etc. too--it seems farfetched that such a mishap would be refused even basic compassion--even by the coldest of hearts.

Now granted, there are some shallow witches out there who wouldn't give a damn about a scarred man's emotions, but it would say a lot for the man's choice in women in the first place would it not? The quality of Ben Grimm's character suggests that he wouldn't settle for someone like Debbie--someone so unreasonably skindeep. And from the photos and footage we know exist, it seems that Debbie genuinely loved Ben prior to the accident. So what happened???

Bad storytelling. That's what happened.

And what we are left with is rushed, 'fast-forward' concept to Ben's next relationship without sewing up any of the hurt and emotional baggage from the prior.

The question is: How realistic would it be for a wife (or fiancee) to cut off the man she loves 10 feet away at night--with no reconcilliation? How believable would it be for her to see him being lauded by pedestrians, firemen and policemen (for saving lives) and then take off her wedding ring and place it on the ground on a fricken BRIDGE amidst crowds??? Eh? And don't even get me started on the uber-lame "Nightgown on Elm Street" scene? Talk about insulting everyone's intelligence.

There were other scenes that kinda hit one over the head like "What?" For instance, Jessica Alba wearing low-riding slacks, with cleavage bursting forth...with glasses and scientific skematics? Come on now. She's a scientist that needs to be taken seriously. If it's truly a "man's world", why would a professional woman objectify herself in such a way? True, she may have pumped up her sex appeal that night to lobby for Reed's scatter-brained attention, but what about us--the audience? Do the writers and directors want us to buy her act as a director of genetic reseach? If so, why insult our intelligence by grooming her as a sexpot in a corporate setting? Scenes like this were just so blatantly obvious in their execution. "Jessica's a beautiful sexy woman. She's our star. We want you know how sexy and beautiful she is."

Okay. We get it.

***​

Sometimes, in an effort to be funny or overtly sexy, it seems that writers and directors embrace lines and scenes that wreak of dumbness. Such attempts don't appeal to even the lowest denominators in the moviegoing audience. What's more, dumb comedy cheapens the entire film, essentially stripping it of any respect and credibility. It doesn't utilize the acting talents of people like Alba, etc. to the fullest. And it makes some people wonder why they didn't just wait to rent this on DVD.

I'm geninuely hoping that Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer contains a balance of reasonable comedy, buoyed by realistic outcomes. The humor needs to be intelligent this time, sophisticated--not stupid to the point that even children are put off by it. The FF comics were humorous--while still dignifying their readers. It would be a joyous day if this franchise can trascend these confines and join the realm of other balanced CBM series (i.e. Spider-Man for example) that make us both laugh, cry...and think.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel? ​

...

 

[Jennifer Walters]

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy? The Fantastic Four has always been a comic book ripe with humor. I mean Johnny Storm is nothing short of comedy achieved in almost every other line he says. But I do agree the first film had too much and should maybe cut back just a bit. Okay, we get it Johnny likes to play pranks on Ben.


2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach? It should keep some of the comedic elements of the first film, as I believe, they are one thing, the general audience loved about the first film, but come a lot more serious than the first one. They really have no choice to I would say. What when you have the herald for a world eater preparing the Earth for it's doom as the focus of attention this time around.


3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled? I thought it was handled as you said rushed. The idea for the scenes behind it are good. They just happen too soon. They all had the X3 syndrome of getting to Point A to Point B too fast.


4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel? I do have concerns about the reported Susan/Silver Surfer fling. Considering how we've seen Sue in a wedding dress prepared to marry and commit to Reed, how likely is it that this alien that's helping to destroy the world comes along and here she is ready to break off her engagement for him? Yeahhhhh, I'm not really buying into that.

 

[X-Maniac]

Well, the tone of the FF is very different to that of, say, the X-Men. The FF is lighter, lots of bickering and joking, and kids loved the first movie.

Where the first movie fell down was the story, which presented no large-scale threat and mucked about with Doom's origin and powers (We should have had Doom trying to bring the cosmic storm down on to New York, for instance, and developing his armour as a defence against it).

Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are known for their quipping and quarrelling, so I guess it's okay for that to be part of it. As long as Ioan is a bit less of weedy superloser and Alba is more than a sex symbol. I thought Invisible Woman's force fields were excellent, but the invisibility was not so good and the excuses to keep stripping off were questionable!

 

[TripleF]

As has been discussed countless times before, YES the editing and script must be stronger. Done.







Waiting for the "50 Things going right........" thread.

 

[GL1]

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?

Twice is too much. Everyone runs into a pole every once in a while (or trips down some stairs, or slips on a wet floor and flies upwards until they're horiznotal in the air before crashing down). Doing this once in a movie, with comedic timing can be a great "I hate my life" moment that can have everyone in stitches. When that happens twice, that means you're abusing it... you're trying to do Home Alone, and for those paying attention, that only worked once.

The exception is if a second similar or identical slapstick accident is used in the end to wrap up an arc. That can work in a cute hilarious way. The second exception is a prankster character, who is free to create small "slapsticks" throughout the movie, perhaps even three and four times. This is best when the prankster at some point learns that pranking is not a viable way of life... this makes the pranking, and the slapstick a part of character development, and not just gratuitous violence.

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?

I think the comedic elements should be kept, but better worked into the storyline (like Barbershop ), and that will allow a serious approach to be taken while still giving the audience a few times to bust out laughing.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?

Honestly? Forgetable. It *wasn't* handled, it was tossed away pretty quickly, with little explanation, and the audience is left to assume "well, I guess they just weren't that close." If Thing had been uglier or more people than just her had been afraid of him, then it would have made more sense for her overwhelming sense of his monsterdom to instantly drive her away. But the didn't focus on Thing as deplorable in appearance, and thus, Debbie made a lot less sense.

I think different couple pictures, and perhaps a more superficial looking Debbie would have been a better idea...

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?

Well, you know my concern: The Surfer-Sue-Reed triangle. While I can't say the idea of replacing Namor with Surfer is fundamentally flawed, I can say that without developing Reed and Sue's relationship properly, Surfer will make both characters, their relationship and especially Sue look very shoddy. Love Triangles are HARD work, and they usually involve rushing off the 'losing' member of the triangle in an uncharacteristic fashion so that our favorite can win. Boo.

I'm confident in Story as far as character development goes, honestly... I look forward to good things.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Debbie leaving Ben didn't bother me nearly as much as the lack of Alicia in the movie did. I felt that their relationship was horribly underdeveloped, and I really couldn't see how the whole two scenes they had left Ben ok with his transformation. Totally unrealistic, and cutting part of what makes Ben's character interesting. Hopefully, they fix that.

That said I do believe we will see equal amounts of comedy in this one, but I don't think it should have as many comedic moments. I mean, we have a guy coming to devour the planet, the mood should not be as comedic.

As far as personal relationships, that is a concern. We are adding the Surfer to this cast, so he needs developed, but we need to advance the 4 main characters and Doom too. Plus, people complained about the lack of action in the first, so I think we will see many more action scenes. All this takes away from the personal relationships. I hope they make this movie longer than the first, I think X2 length would work, but since FOX has a history of making short theatrical releases, then double dipping the DVD, I am not convinced this will happen.

 

[Fantastic-Boy]

1) It's a few unconfortable.
2) No.A serius approach,like the tematic!
3) Fake.I have one word:FAKE!That woman is a nightmare.
4) Yes.Like almost everybody here.Those second movie is the big doubt of 2007.This is the true.

 

[Excel]

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?

the first had too much. they aim for a spider-man level of comedy.

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?

understated. one liners are fine but **** like

THE DALMATION COVERING HIS EYES WITH HIS PAWES

is ******eded

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?

the chick wasnt a good actress.

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?

yes if the script handles em as badly as the last one were in trouble.

 

[haephestus]

Another very cool discussion thread.

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?

That's a difficult question to answer, because a LOT depends on the quality of the slapstick comedy. While its certainly not my favoured form of comedy, for certain relationships, particularly between Ben and Johnny that "tone" of mucking around/joking about seems suitable.

And pretty much anything is preferable to "toilet humour". At the same time, there were a lot of "WTF" moments in the first film which probably weren't meant to be humorous, but they were simply because they came out of nowhere (like the street break-up in nightgown, the fact 3 of the Fantastic Four somehow just knew Ben had something to do with the bridge accident and even worse the fact Debbie just showed up on the bridge "out of nowhere" essentially for more "formally" dump Ben. Then there was Sue Storm's stripping which made absolutely no sense within the context of the movie, I'm sure a man bursting into flames would have provided a better distraction than some chick getting naked and the same with Dr Doom's "marco polo" and quite a few of his lines).

Its a difficult thing to master and certainly makes me wonder how much more effective the "humour" element of the movies would have been if they'd gone with the "set in the 60's" similar to "Down With Love" tone in the first place.

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?

Definitely a more serious approach. Humour is essential in some respects, particularly between Ben and Johnny and "Johnny" in general, but it shouldn't come at the expense of serious material and both Ben and Johnny should be entitled to their share of that as well.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?

I'm not a big comic book fan, so I was very much "WTF". I honestly think the film would have worked better if she'd just been cut completely. What little there was (I think two scenes) was ridiculous and laughable. First the nightgown scene which in itself was bad enough, but then Debbie suddenly showing up on the bridge to dump Ben in front of thousands on people (millions if we include the TV viewing audience). Definitely would have preferred if they'd scrapped Debbie completely and included more Alicia scenes instead. As it was, Ben met Alicia once and suddenly they seemed to be a couple at the end of the film on the yacht? It amde both Ben and Alicia seem a little "cheap" to be so heavily involved with each other without really seeing them encounter any difficulties based on Ben's appearance (or at least some hints as to the fact neither of them is sure how its going to work out, but they're willing to give it a go).

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?

The Sue/Silver Surfer comments had me a little concerned. The love triangle in the first film between Reed, Sue and the "villain" was done badly. I don't want to see a repeat of the same with the new "villain". I don't particularly mind if Sue simply opens up the Surfer to human emotions, but I don't want him falling for her or vice versa.

I'm also concerned that Alicia is going to get the same treatment as in the first film where she will appear on screen as an excuse for Ben to be content with his appearance, but without any real exploration as to the difficulties entailed in their relationship.

I was also hoping that Johnny would mature in this film and be somewhat "seriously" involved with Frankie at some point in the film, but that doesn't appear as though it will happen. And it could work in the character's favour is he instead matures over the course of the film and the Johnny/Frankie relationship is set up in No. 3 instead.

And of course Reed and Sue. Given where their relationship appears to be, I'm not too concerned based on surface appearances, but I hope both actors can come to the table to really communicate the depth of feeling and emotion underlying their relationship. Even when they were fighting in the first film, they both seemed rather lame and their attempts were half-hearted at best. So, I guess I'd like to see more "couple" related character moments between them to demonstrate how well they know and understand each other, similar to Sue deciphering Reed's techno-babble in the first film for Ben.

Then of course Dr Doom/Fantastic Four relationship. I hope that evolves to a completely different level and Dr Doom actually menaces them somewhat. I'd also like to see Dr Doom's arrogance/self-confidence play a LOT more strongly.

Cheers.

 

[Retroman]

Great threadt:

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?
A more serious approach but keep some of the humor that makes the FF unique.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?
Poorly, her reaction was too dramatic and she gave up on Ben waaay too quickly. Its not only fans who felt that.
I've said earlier on these boards that i hope they bring Debbie back in FF2.Show her feeling guilty when she sees Ben with Alicia, someone who doesn't give a damn about his looks.

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?
Yes but its not down to Story he's shown he can handle relationships well especially in Barbershop. I'm more worried about the writer of the script Don Payne.His body of work doesn't give me a lot of confidence.

 

[TripleF]

Great threadt:

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?
A more serious approach but keep some of the humor that makes the FF unique.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?
Poorly, her reaction was too dramatic and she gave up on Ben waaay too quickly. Its not only fans who felt that.
I've said earlier on these boards that i hope they bring Debbie back in FF2.Show her feeling guilty when she sees Ben with Alicia, someone who doesn't give a damn about his looks.

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?
Yes but its not down to Story he's shown he can handle relationships well especially in Barbershop. I'm more worried about the writer of the script Don Payne.His body of work doesn't give me a lot of confidence.

Very much agree.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel? I do have concerns about the reported Susan/Silver Surfer fling. Considering how we've seen Sue in a wedding dress prepared to marry and commit to Reed, how likely is it that this alien that's helping to destroy the world comes along and here she is ready to break off her engagement for him? Yeahhhhh, I'm not really buying into that.

Good point Billy, but I have to tell ya: Stranger and more anti-continuity things have happened.

Truthfully, I'd rather an Alicia/Silver Surfer/Ben Grimm love triangle developed instead. That would give actress Kerry Washington something to sink her teeth into finally, and giving Ben a run for his money might just make him reconsider his so-called "good as is" stance. We need more character development for these guys...

Now, I realize that Jessica's the biggest star in this franchise, but her character doesn't have to be lost in the sauce if another female character has a love interest/triangle. Susan is getting married for Christs sake. Therefore, there is enough going on with her and her new beau, not to mention the dynamics that will be revived when Victor returns. Having three men fawning over her (and one scheduled to marry her) would make Susan look like a playgirl. No-No.

This is one instance where they really need to stick to the comics: the metaphorical meaning behind Alicia and Silver Surfer's relationship is deep and would definitely upgrade the film's overall quality if explored properly.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I think the comedic elements should be kept, but better worked into the storyline (like Barbershop ), and that will allow a serious approach to be taken while still giving the audience a few times to bust out laughing.

Great point! I always felt that Barbershop contained just the right balance of slapstick comedy. Most of it was sourced with Cedric The Entertainer's character--and the equivalent for that with this franchise would be obviously Johnny and Benjamin. If they can restrict it to them, I think it would be great.

In contrast, making everything in their world silly (like the aforementioned Dog Paw/Eye Cover deal, "Nightgown On Elm Street", etc.) just makes the whole thing seem childish. They need to grow the franchise up, and I honestly have faith that Tim can do it--if he's given room to breathe.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

As far as personal relationships, that is a concern. We are adding the Surfer to this cast, so he needs developed, but we need to advance the 4 main characters and Doom too. Plus, people complained about the lack of action in the first, so I think we will see many more action scenes. All this takes away from the personal relationships. I hope they make this movie longer than the first, I think X2 length would work, but since FOX has a history of making short theatrical releases, then double dipping the DVD, I am not convinced this will happen.

I share your sentiments.

The number one biggest enemy of this film is the editing. I'm not sure why the studio is continuing to release the ADD-paced theatrical versions of their CBMs. The sales for their directors cuts don't seem to justify the decision, yet they keep doing it.

I think the big reason we haven't gotten a Director's Cut of the first Fantastic Four film is because the DVD sales weren't anything spectacular. And why is that? Because so many weren't enthused about it--and therein lies your gauge for reaction to the theatrical release. Perhaps as we close in on June 2007 they'll drop it then.

But by then, will enough people still care?

And pretty much anything is preferable to "toilet humour". At the same time, there were a lot of "WTF" moments in the first film which probably weren't meant to be humorous, but they were simply because they came out of nowhere (like the street break-up in nightgown, the fact 3 of the Fantastic Four somehow just knew Ben had something to do with the bridge accident and even worse the fact Debbie just showed up on the bridge "out of nowhere" essentially for more "formally" dump Ben. Then there was Sue Storm's stripping which made absolutely no sense within the context of the movie, I'm sure a man bursting into flames would have provided a better distraction than some chick getting naked and the same with Dr Doom's "marco polo" and quite a few of his lines).

Amen--on all accounts. As mentioned, the editing was so choppy that it made things that probably weren't intended to be humorous funny--but in a bad way.

To this day I don't understand Susan's strip show on the Bridge. What was the purpose? Reed and Johnny picked up her things and ran. She ran. And the crowd and policemen just stood there staring at the spot where they were standing--after the fact?

We need smarter comedy.

And don't even get me started on Marco Polo. That's clearly a Simon Kinberg line. Thankfully he's not working on this project.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I'm more worried about the writer of the script Don Payne.His body of work doesn't give me a lot of confidence.

This is the gentlemen responsible for My Super Ex-Girlfriend correct?

Hmmm....I recall really wanting to see that (based on the trailers and marketing) but all my friends said to save my money because of its suck factor. Then when I read that it bombed at the box office (with just over $20 million) with poor reviews I decided to take them up on their advice and make it a Blockbuster Night.

But isn't Mark Frost the primary writer still? Or am I totally out of the loop on the writing staff this go-round?

 

[fantastic fifth]

Y'Know - Debbie looks very attractive and happy in that first pic up there - it is a shame that they did not let us see her human side before her betrayal to Ben. It would have made it all the more heart wrenching to feel a little of their past. Even if it was just Ben thinking about it after she left.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Y'Know - Debbie looks very attractive and happy in that first pic up there - it is a shame that they did not let us see her human side before her betrayal to Ben. It would have made it all the more heart wrenching to feel a little of their past. Even if it was just Ben thinking about it after she left.

Agreed. We know there was at least a scene of her throwing a B-Day party for Ben (I believe this was in a video format), as well as a "Farewell" sequence at the Von Doom launch pad (prior to them going up into space). Sadly, all of this was cut.

 

[GhostPoet]

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?
When they consistantly make fun of a persons abilities by using it for the brunt of most jokes. I felt FF did a great job of keeping the comedy without going over-board...it managed to mimic the feel of the comic.


2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?

I think there should be a feeling of more seriousness, more epic sense. Comedy should be toned down slightly.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?
Here's where it gets tricky. I hated the whole Ben/Debbie situation on how it was handled...her running out in the street like that and then on the bridge was just horrible. BUT...i'm also glad they didn't dwell very long on that part of the story. I think they could have done better at making it a good heartbreak scene that's fast, but not..well..stupid.


4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?
So far, from what I read...I think they are handling it great. I love the idea of a moderate love triangle between Reed, Sue and the Silver Surfer. It makes sense that she would feel naturally drawn to this cosmic figure with a hurting side.

 

[juan-man]

FF1 the problem,the director:tim story,and the interpretations,history.FF2?the same director same problem,why again in the second part?.

 

[homestarrunner]

As has been discussed countless times before, YES the editing and script must be stronger. Done.




Agreed, especially for this film they definitly have to step it up

 

[Karea07]

Lightning always has the best threads

 

[terry78]

FF1 the problem,the director:tim story,and the interpretations,history.FF2?the same director same problem,why again in the second part?.

He was brought on as an afterthought. This time he has more control over the project.

 

[HighVoltage]

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel? ​

.

1.) What´s the problem with the slapstick comedy, the Fantastic 4 comics have too many slapstick comedy.

2.) No, I Think with the Return of Doctor Doom, and like the title says, The Rise Of Silver Sufer, there is a new direction for this sequel, because these characters are too serious, with different motivations, and with more drama in their lifes.

3.) I dont have problems with the relation between Ben and Debbie, the plot was clear, she was married with a normal guy, and later, Debbie have a shock in her life , when Ben, her husband, now is a monster, the movie was clear about Ben and Debbie.

4.) Between Ben and Debbie? I don´t know, Debbie´s character is returning for the sequel?, because at the end of Fantastic Four Movie, Thing was the boyfriend of Alicia Masters, and for the sequel, is too obvious, it will be about Benji and his love for Alicia.

 

[TripleF]

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?
The little fun video, with the 4 was alittle much for me. Yes the audience laughed in parts, but I found myself saying after awhile. OK, we get it, Johnny makes fun of Ben. Should it be there, YES, should we be hit over the head with it. NO. The scene of Sue stripping. I think Jessica's reaction to it when she found out it was written in, says enough.

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach? Less Comedic elements, more dramatic overtones, and family dynamics. Not so much Sue and Johnny fighting, but Sue watching over Johnny and Johnny watching over Sue.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled? The only part that I heard, "what the hell" was when she ran out into the street with her nightgown on. Other than that, most I was with got it. She saw him, she was scared of him, she left the ring on the bridge. No big deal! They understood, and moved on with the story.

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel? Of course, that should be the area where the most work is done. But I don't see that happening. Seems to me its turning into a CGI heavy, SS origin story with the F4 as tag alongs. Which I guess is ok for a summer blockbuster, the kids will certainly think its cool. Now, I'm definitely willing to be wrong in this opinion, and truly hope that I am. *crosses fingers* There is one I know that I want to be happy with the sequel. The first was a disappointment, and the run up to the sequel has not been a great ride for them. I hope we start seeing some family dynamic, relationship talk from the actors and Story. Because there are some that I don't think will darken the door of the theatre if this doesn't happen.

Is the 50 Things going right thread coming anytime soon?

 

[Cheerios]

1.) How much is "too much" slapstick comedy?
Light-hearted & witty repartees are ok, but too much insults our intelligence.

2.) Do you believe this sequel should have more of the same comedic elements from the first film? Or should it be understated in favor of a more serious approach?
Some humor about family dynamics can be kept, but I would be more in favour of a more serious direction.

3.) What is your opinion of how the Ben/Debbie situation was handled?
I've read the novelization of the script and I think a lot of scenes were cut or not delved into in the film...making the whole break-off relationship thing look rushed and bizarre. Yes, I think the actress portraying Debbie was overly-dramatic...

4.) Do you have any concerns about how the personal relationships/ dynamics will be handled in this sequel?
Reading the novel, I've realized that the authors have not done enough research on the sciences, making Reed's script sound.... stupid. I'm more concerned about this aspect. If we are to believe that Reed is a genius, then his scientific explanations have to be well-grounded & plausible.