PotassiumMan

With this film, Fantastic Four finally gets a cinematic version that truly rises to a level of memorable intensity. The 2005 version was only a decent start. The 2015 version turned out to be a notorious misfire. Finally, with this version, we get something that conveys the optimism and vitality of a superhero group that captured people's imagination. It takes place in 1960s America, in a world in which idealism, common purpose and firm trust are prevalent in society.

The film starts out with a solid backstory. Four astronauts who went to space have come home permanently changed but each with unique abilities that enable them to stop any threat to humanity. They quickly become adored heroes. However, their abilities are tested like never before when a monstrous space god who devours planets finally comes for Earth. The space god's ransom is the new child born to two of these superheroes. What follows is Earth's fight for survival and the Fantastic Four facing their first backlash from those who have believed in them.

A stellar cast gives it their all. Pedro Pascal is flawless as the brilliant and conscientious Dr. Reed Richards, whose leadership proves so crucial even as he begins his life as a new father. Vanessa Kirby is a force of energy as Sue Storm whose telepathic powers can contain any physical threat. Ebon-Moss Bachrach plays the straight man as the lumbering, but earnest Thing. Joseph Quinn is eternally juvenile as Johnny Storm or the Human Torch. Julia Garner proves to be a disquieting presence as Silver Surfer, an alien messenger who serves the space god. The film's recreation of the early 1960s is splendidly realized. This is what Marvel in its peak form can produce. From start to finish, it's a riveting adventure. Recommended to the highest degree.

Scarlett Johansson is a chastened covert-op who is approached by a pharmaceutical CEO (an oily Rupert Friend) that looks to achieve groundbreaking medical research through the blood of dinosaurs in a world now inhabited by them, albeit in a marginalized state. She enlists the help of various allies (Jonathan Bailey, an awkward but fearless scientist; Mahershala Ali, a fellow covert-op) for this secret undertaking. A young family that crosses paths with this corporate expedition becomes a likeable, albeit ill-defined plot thread.

A talented cast makes a committed effort with a very lazy script and stale material. Their game effort should be recognized even if the results are sloppy.

The film has a brief prologue that lays out the scientific experimentation in mutating dinosaur species, suggesting that such experiments set the stage for the obstacles to come. Some mutations make some funny homages to other film franchises. A dinosaur that resembles the Xenomorph from "Alien" graces the screen in this chapter. Unlike Jurassic World Dominion, this film lacks the presence of a clear-cut human villain and borrows a lot more liberally from the original Jurassic Park film. Nevertheless, a rousing adventure that gives us mutations and chases right and left. Gladly recommended.

Brad Pitt gives a granite performance as a former race car wunderkind who attempts a miracle comeback as a Formula One driver, long after a disastrous accident on the track derailed his career and sent him into gambling and isolation. Javier Bardem plays somewhat against type as his old friend and racetrack rival who recruits him to pull off the miracle for his team's struggling season. Damson Idris is the cocky young racer who has little regard for his older teammate in the beginning. Kerry Condon is superb as the engineer who puts together the race car that will win the race and becomes Pitt's newfound muse. Tobias Menzies is sharp as a shady businessman with greater ambitions for the racing team.

To get the full effect, it might be a good idea to see this film in IMAX. The mesmerizing racetrack cinematography and Hans Zimmer's soundtrack keeps going at a heady clip.

Director Joseph Kosinski's films tend to have a recurring theme in which a young person gains wisdom by listening to those with more experience. That narrative returns in this film as Pitt and Idris veer from intense clashing to grudging cooperation. This time around, however, the older protagonist has baggage and question marks of his own to overcome, all the while setting the standard for excellence. While the film's premise is familiar, its execution is so propulsive and riveting that you won't even care if you've seen something else in this genre before. The film's storyline is definitely old school and tried and true, but its bravado is not outdated in the least. Grandly recommended.