Why I think Story/Fox are starting off wrong

[gambitfire]

He said what about BRUCE WAYNE!!!!

(puts on boxing gloves).

I love the FF but who's the bigger star my friend He didn't get there without a personality.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

People identify the ears with Batman. People do not identify the Thing with the big brow.

While I'm more Zen and less rabid than Wilhelm, I have to agree 100% with Wilhelm's analogy. If the brow isn't an issue, why has it been one of the most talked about items since we first got a look at the Thing?

 

[Malus]

While I'm more Zen and less rabid than Wilhelm, I have to agree 100% with Wilhelm's analogy. If the brow isn't an issue, why has it been one of the most talked about items since we first got a look at the Thing?

Yes. The extensive discussions are proof of the brow's importance to many fans. It's not just a few of us being picky. I know three "real life" FF fans personally, and all three had the same complaint about the browless Thing of FF1.
Also my brother, who is only a casual fan, said, "He don't look look right...Where's the rocky eyebrow?" My two nephews agreed.
I also heard this discussed at the local comic shop last summer and the consensus then was the same: A browless Thing was a watering down of what makes the character shine.
No, it certainly isn't the most important part of the Thing, but pretending it is insignificant just seems silly to me, especially coming from long-time fans.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

I think the brow is a moot argument at this point.

 

[TripleF]

Yes. The extensive discussions are proof of the brow's importance to many fans. It's not just a few of us being picky. I know three "real life" FF fans personally, and all three had the same complaint about the browless Thing of FF1.
Also my brother, who is only a casual fan, said, "He don't look look right...Where's the rocky eyebrow?" My two nephews agreed.
I also heard this discussed at the local comic shop last summer and the consensus then was the same: A browless Thing was a watering down of what makes the character shine.
No, it certainly isn't the most important part of the Thing, but pretending it is insignificant just seems silly to me, especially coming from long-time fans.

I agree, but maybe its the repetitivness (oh god, I'm typing to Malus, and I have no idea how to spell that) of this subject that is wearing thin.

The brow is not large enough, some think a larger brow can work, some don't. Majority it looks like wants a larger brow. Recent picture show a slightly more prominent brow, which has quieted some, but not others. Possible CGI in post production for more of a brow. I get all of those points perfectly.

To me, a more rocky look is more important, as is more sound effects. They had some when he walked, but certainly not another car totally unaffected by large boulder falling on it. I know that he is made of "rock-like" skin, but it needs to be more rock like in my opinion.

 

[Malus]

I agree, but maybe its the repetitivness (oh god, I'm typing to Malus, and I have no idea how to spell that)

Ha ha.
Seriously, you have no idea how religiously I use spellcheck before I post, for no other reason than I've made a reputation for myself around here as the "Spelling Nazi" (That's a Seinfeld reference, so don't anyone freak out.)
But if you'll notice, I usually save my "corrections" for those who exhibit rudeness or arrogance with their horrible spelling. I frequently make mistakes in spelling or grammar (or is that "grammer?" See??) and I usually make no comment on the incredible amount of poor spelling on this and other sites.

By the way, I agree with RedIsNotBlue; the brow discussion is now moot. I don't think there's any real point in debating it further.
They're doing whatever they're doing. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[TripleF]

Ha ha.
Seriously, you have no idea how religiously I use spellcheck before I post, for no other reason than I've made a reputation for myself around here as the "Spelling Nazi" (That's a Seinfeld reference, so don't anyone freak out.)
But if you'll notice, I usually save my "corrections" for those who exhibit rudeness or arrogance with their horrible spelling. I frequently make mistakes in spelling or grammar (or is that "grammer?" See??) and I usually make no comment on the incredible amount of poor spelling on this and other sites.

By the way, I agree with RedIsNotBlue; the brow discussion is now moot. I don't think there's any real point in debating it further.
They're doing whatever they're doing. We'll just have to wait and see.

Well said,

I don't see you as any type of "spelling nazi" I too wish more people would take the time to read their post over before hitting the submit button. It is very hard to take posts seriously when they are full of misspellings and massive grammar errors. A comma not here or there is no big deal, but it sometimes gets very distracting. I was more kidding in my reply to you than anything else.

 

[Malus]

A comma not here or there is no big deal, but it sometimes gets very distracting. I was more kidding in my reply to you than anything else.

I know, TF. That was more for the benefit of others who've jabbed me about it in the past.
And you're right, a comma here or there is no big deal, it's that occasional poster who's not even trying to spell or construct a coherent sentence that gets me ticked...and 9.5 times out of 10, it's someone bashing someone else or yodeling their opinion presented as fact. It's like having Harry Carey (the Will Ferrell version) show up uninvited at your friendly poker game to announce the plays.

And God knows, if I actually started correcting everyonew who misuses "they're," "there" and "their" on the internet, I'd have to hire a staff of two dozen 7 days a week just to handle the sci-fi & comics sector.
Sigh. English Language, R. I. P.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Misspellings are only really fun when they're coupled with an idiotic post and sprinkled liberally throughout.


And we do seem to see quite a few of those.

 

[highguard]

While I'm more Zen and less rabid than Wilhelm, I have to agree 100% with Wilhelm's analogy. If the brow isn't an issue, why has it been one of the most talked about items since we first got a look at the Thing?

Could it be that we are desperate for news, are constipated, are truly shallow or that we feel hurt that our every word does not lead to matter being created, lol.

Well I can see that the brow is bigger and I want to see the large face shots to make a better evaluation.

We don't have much else to talk about willie and worse the picture police is clamping down on leaked footage.

Can anyone say withdrawal anxiety going on.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Could it be that we are desperate for news, are constipated, are truly shallow or that we feel hurt that our every word does not lead to matter being created, lol.

LOL! Sure. Part of it is that we've been talking about these films for the last 3 or 4 years, and we have to talk about something. . .

. . . but consider Johnny's hair. Sure, it should have been medium length blonde like the comics, and it doesn't make any sense that they changed it, but it's also not that big of a deal. Johnny's hair is not as iconic as the Thing's face. Now if Johnny, instead of having a red-yellow flame had a blue green flame, I think people would have been more upset. Johnny's flame is his important, visual characteristic, and Ben's body/face is his. Fortunately they nailed Johnny's flame, so his hair seems like less of an issue, and people aren't going to spend much time talking/worrying about it.

 

[Malus]

Fortunately they nailed Johnny's flame, so his hair seems like less of an issue, and people aren't going to spend much time talking/worrying about it.

Yes. And really, I'm fine with the Thing as-is (since it is faithful to the earliest FF comics) and am much more concerned with how well they're going to straighten out Dr. Doom.
Silver Surfer, I have a fair degree of confidence that Fox and WETA will adapt him faithfully (especially visually)...and I don't expect to actually see the physical person of Galactus in this movie...not til FF3.... so my biggest concern is damage control on Dr. Doom.

By the way, I think the film's gonna be all about Doom going after the Surfer's power, and that the Surfer's purpose won't be made known til a good ways into the movie. After a big Surfer/Doom/FF conflict at the end, Doom is again defeated and amidst everyones relief, the Surfer looks skyward and says "He is here." Then we see the side of the Big G's colossal orb as it approaches Earth... (He could say "He is still coming," if they want to make it less of a direct cliffhanger.) That's one way I can see it playing out, anyway.

 

[Ty Parsec]

Fortunately they nailed Johnny's flame, so his hair seems like less of an issue, and people aren't going to spend much time talking/worrying about it.

I agree. I was sorta surprised that they didn't have Chris Evans dye his hair blonde and cut it like Johnny's. It would have been preferrable. However, both the quality of his flame and the acting job done by Evans made up for the hair issue. I.E. he made it work.

I don't see how other little details should be worth such a big deal. I'm more concerned over the bigger issues. Dr. Doom, characterization, and storyline quality being some of them.

 

[Carp Man]

I think the brow is a moot argument at this point.

I agree. The brow is a mute and dead point. Is not happening, I am thrilled to death. Wilhelm can go cry all he wants to, I love him just the way he is, and I do not care who likes it and who does not. And Bruce Wayne still has no personality, no emotion. Looks and money is all he has.

 

[Carp Man]

He said what about BRUCE WAYNE!!!!

(puts on boxing gloves).

I love the FF but who's the bigger star my friend He didn't get there without a personality.

Back in the 30's and 40's, Superman and Batman was all there was. You did not have all the different charctors you have today. If Superman started today, or Batman it would be loss in the crowd, but back then there was no crowd. The Superman TV show was made in the 50's. Batman did not really take off till the TV series in the mid 60's (of which I am still a huge fan of ). TV introduced Superman and Batman to the masses. The kids of the 50's and 60's who grew up with TV, have kept Superman, and Batman alive all these years. Same with the FF, my generation. That is why SR did not do as well as planned, kids of today do not know Superman. Superman must be repackaged to appeal to the kids of today. So when you are the only show in town, for 3 decades, it is easy to be bigger then the FF.

 

[Sentinel X]

Seriously, what is the big ****ing deal with Things brow??

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Seriously, what is the big ****ing deal with Things brow??

What is the big deal with tall guys running around in circles throwing a rubber ball through a hoop?
What is the big deal with a man and a woman reverting to their natural, nude state and working up pleasurable friction?
What's the big deal with nailing a guy to a piece of wood and hiding boiled eggs?

 

[Carp Man]

Seriously, what is the big ****ing deal with Things brow??

I really do not know. small brow, more face, more expressions, what is wroung with that ? That is what makes the Thing, the Thing, not the brow.

 

[Carp Man]

What is the big deal with a man and a woman reverting to their natural, nude state and working up pleasurable friction?

t:

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I really do not know. small brow, more face, more expressions, what is wroung with that ? That is what makes the Thing, the Thing, not the brow.

No rocks, even more face, even more expressions. Maybe they should remove the mask entirely.

 

[Carp Man]

No rocks, even more face, even more expressions. Maybe they should remove the mask entirely.

Let's not get carried away.

 

[Carp Man]

Intresting piece of trivia just came my way. Just read where when Jack Kirby originaly drew the Thing, he was shorter then Reed, about 5' 9". Now Chilkis is listed at 5' 8 1/2 ". So if we go with the original, Chilkis is the exact same hight as the Kirby hight of the original Thing. Also the Thing had very little brow at the beginning, and when it did start to develop it was gradule. So in my estimation they stuck to the original Kirby Thing. Why I like him so much. He's perfect to the original, except he's not just a blob, like the Thing in FF #1.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

He's..."perfect to the original", but..."not like in F4 #1"....
...okay, makes sense.

 

[gerbstat]

Back in the 30's and 40's, Superman and Batman was all there was. You did not have all the different charctors you have today. If Superman started today, or Batman it would be loss in the crowd, but back then there was no crowd. The Superman TV show was made in the 50's. Batman did not really take off till the TV series in the mid 60's (of which I am still a huge fan of ). TV introduced Superman and Batman to the masses. The kids of the 50's and 60's who grew up with TV, have kept Superman, and Batman alive all these years. Same with the FF, my generation. That is why SR did not do as well as planned, kids of today do not know Superman. Superman must be repackaged to appeal to the kids of today. So when you are the only show in town, for 3 decades, it is easy to be bigger then the FF.

I agree with much of what you say, but I think that it was the wholesale abandonment of superheroes in the 1950's that made Superman and Batman such icons. There were many popular heroes in the 40's by Fawcett and Timely. But by 1950, only Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were in print by DC, Fawcett published Captain Marvel fot a few more years, and Timely became Atlas and went into everything BUT heroes.

That's why you haven't seen REAL Marvel movies until lately. It took that long for the generations of 1960's and later Marvel fans to grow up and bring Marvel characters into the American mass consciousness.

 

[Malus]

He's..."perfect to the original", but..."not like in F4 #1"....
...okay, makes sense.

Actually, it does make sense (he changed dramatically by FF#2) but you're talking to someone who thinks "Batman has no personality" so I suggest we just move on.

Those who don't get why the brow is important aren't going to get it no matter how simply the case is presented, especially if they haven't been a fan for more than a few years and particularly if they only came to FF because of the movies.
Those of us who do "get it" will have to live with whatever Story & company decide to do to Ben's appearance in this film. It's a done deal at this point. And I can tell there's been some improvement, so whatever; I'm not interested in the brow debate any more.

At least they're not spray-painting a "4" on Ben's chest. And thank God He's not performing a "Clobbering Time" rap song or shouting "Thing ring, do your thing!" This great character has suffered many indignities over the years at the hands of no-nothing yutzes in the entertainment industry, but I don't think the current movie version is one of them. At least Chiklis looks like the early Thing, and he's absolutely perfect in the part.
For that, I'm grateful.