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‘All that you know is at an end.’

Another threat of global destruction, another day in the life of a Marvel superhero. Films about superheroes are enjoying a new popularity, and the Fantastic Four are just one of the comic-book franchises to have been thrown onto the bandwagon. The team’s second big-screen adventure opens with an interesting reflection on the superhero phenomenon. Within the Marvel Universe the Fantastic Four enjoy a celebrity status. Having chosen in the last film to use their powers for the good of humanity, they now have their own fan store and action figures, commercial sponsorship deals, and an adoring public which solicits autographs at every opportunity. With attention drawn to the idea of superheroes as a marketable franchise so early in the film, the audience may well contemplate the extent to which the making of the film may have been motivated by commercial concerns. Is Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer just cashing in on the general popularity of superhero films, or does it have something unique and interesting to say within that genre?

At a first glance the ideas of the film seem interesting, but very familiar. ‘There’s always a choice,’ and, ‘we can’t run away from our responsibilities,’ sound more like a summary of the Spider-Man themes than insights which are new to this film. The classic subject matter, however, is presented in an engaging and inspiring manner. Faced with challenges ranging from the difficulties of living in the public eye and the arrival of a mysterious stranger to intriguing climatic changes, the re-emergence of an old enemy, and the probability of an imminent apocalypse, the Fantastic Four must choose to step up and act as heroes. The sum of these threats, on top of trying to organise a wedding, tests the team’s commitment to the limit. When considering her future as a married woman and a superhero, Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) concludes that, ‘We will never have normal lives as long as we do what we do.’ In light of this, she and her husband-to-be Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) decide that they will leave the Fantastic Four once the latest crises have been resolved. However, as events unfold they learn more about what it truly means to be a hero.

Collaborating with the US government and their old nemesis, Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon), the Fantastic Four succeed in capturing the enigmatic Silver Surfer (Doug Jones, voiced by Laurence Fishburne). When the army stop playing by the rules, the team chooses to intervene in the situation and do things their way. Defying the authorities and showing compassion for the Silver Surfer, the team gain his trust and he explains the real danger that is coming for the world. He is merely the unwilling servant of Galactus, an unstoppable force which literally eats planets for breakfast. However, as the silver alien experiences the four heroes in action, his own more noble impulses are reawakened. In response to their kindness the Silver Surfer opens up, revealing his real name – ‘I was once called Norrin Rad’ – and seems willing to lend his support to their efforts to save the world. In a heated battle with Victor Von Doom (once again bent on world domination), Sue Storm saves the alien’s life, receiving a mortal wound in the process. Despite her reservations about living as a superhero, she ends up making the ultimate commitment to her vocation. Sue’s sacrifice finally proves to the Silver Surfer that he is free to choose his destiny. ‘Tell her she was right,’ he says. ‘We do have a choice’. He is inspired to make the same choice, to live and die as a hero. Confronting his master, the Surfer appears to give his life, securing the safety of the world. As the film concludes, the Fantastic Four (with Sue restored to life by the cosmic powers of the Silver Surfer) reaffirm their commitment to the superhero life, saying, ‘This is who we are’.

So far, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer has simply affirmed the traditional superhero values of self-sacrifice and choice. However, there are some less familiar aspects to the film. The driving force that enables the Fantastic Four to be heroes is their relationships. While most other superheroes find themselves alienated from society and often working alone towards their goals, the four are practically a family unit who cannot successfully function without each other. This lesson is learned by Johnny Storm, a.k.a. the Human Torch (Chris Evans), during the course of the film. At the start we see Johnny as quite an independent character. He is the only member of the team who is not in a long-term relationship, and he seems to be enjoying the perks of his superhero status. ‘Johnny’s always been more of a solo act’, is his team-mates’ assessment of him. This becomes a problem for the heroes after an early encounter with the Silver Surfer alters Johnny’s molecular structure so that he switches powers with the rest of the team whenever he comes into contact with them.

When a destructive visit by the Silver Surfer leaves the Fantastic Four trying to stop the London Eye falling down, Johnny’s power issues and his lack of team spirit combine to make him a real liability. Through this rather embarrassing failure, Johnny begins to learn what it means to be part of a team. As events reach a climax, he uses his new ‘ability’ to take on the powers of each member of the Fantastic Four in order to defeat the cosmically powered Von Doom. Having realised the importance of teamwork Johnny is able to make each power work together to win the battle and retrieve the Silver Surfer’s board. Finally, as the Surfer goes to face Galactus, Johnny lends him a helping hand. In this film, even the troubled and mysterious alien receives support and encouragement from fellow heroes in the end. While many other superhero films promote the empowering ideal that ‘one person can make a difference’ (Spider-Man 3), Fantastic Four highlights the importance of relationships and teamwork when troubles come our way.

The biggest difference between Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and other superhero films can be found in the resolution of the final conflict. While other heroes may receive help from others, ultimately they triumph through their own strength, skill, or purity of heart. In this film, however, the main protagonists do not even attempt combat with the would-be destroyer of Earth. Instead, they battle lesser villains and prepare the way for a more powerful alien hero to save them and their world. The need for an external saviour is a radically different superhero storyline, and this is what truly marks the film out from the rest of the genre. It is a surprising message to find, since people would presumably prefer to be told that we can be heroes, with the power to save ourselves and others. However, the Bible agrees with Rise of the Silver Surfer in suggesting that there are some battles that human beings, even super-powered ones, are simply not able to win. Many times in the Bible people are warned to recognise that destruction is coming for them, and that they must turn to God for any hope of rescue. The willing sacrifice that the Silver Surfer eventually makes also has clear biblical parallels. The people of Earth are powerless against the world-eater, but this mysterious stranger lays down his life to defeat the enemy and save them.

There are, however, some differences between the Bible and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The Surfer’s final sacrifice is motivated by his growing respect and compassion for the people of Earth, and is particularly inspired by Sue’s willingness to give her own life for him. In the Bible, Jesus’s self-sacrifice to save humanity is fortunately not motivated by any lovable traits displayed by us. Most of the time we act more like Von Doom than heroes, trying to seize power for ourselves. In fact, the Bible describes people as living as enemies of God (Colossians 1:21). Jesus’s sacrifice is not inspired by our love and heroism, but by his own merciful and loving character:

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:6-8, NLT)

Ultimately, however, the choice we are left with is the choice of all heroes: who will we serve? We can serve our own self-interest like Von Doom, or the forces of evil as the Silver Surfer felt compelled to for so many years. Alternatively, we can try to serve the best interests of the world by committing to protect people as the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer eventually do. However, when we are faced with real evil, whether from across the stars or within our own hearts, we ultimately need to serve God and trust in the power of his sacrifice to save us and the world.

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