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Post by hondobrode on Apr 9, 2015 0:43:28 GMT -5
 For years, Roger Corman’s “The Fantastic Four” has been the stuff of legend among comic book fans. Filmed in 1994, the low-budget movie was never released, and was said to have only been produced as an effort to hold onto film rights. Despite never being commercially released, bootleg copies have long been a regular fixture on the convention circuit. Now the film is the subject of a crowdfunded documentary, “Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s ‘The Fantastic Four,’” which takes an in-depth look at the troubled and unique production of the film. “Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s 'The Fantastic Four’” doesn’t yet have a release date, but according to the film’s Facebook page, an announcement should be coming in the next couple of weeks. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 0:55:20 GMT -5
I've seen one of those bootleg copies that an old roommate of mine had bought at a convention somewhere, circa '98 or so I want to say, so it's been almost 20 years since I saw it, and really from what I remember I don't have any desire to see it again...or watch a documentary about it.
-M
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Post by hondobrode on Apr 9, 2015 2:31:39 GMT -5
I've never seen it but am morbidly curious about it.
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Post by Jesse on Apr 9, 2015 2:38:03 GMT -5
I actually just watched it for the first time a few months ago on youtube. It was terrible but kind of fun in a way and a documentary could be interesting.
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Post by coke & comics on Apr 9, 2015 2:39:02 GMT -5
I got in on VHS many years back. It's been a while since I've seen it. Poor production value, particularly in the lighting, as I recall.
The two FF movies which were actually released are worse.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,390
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Post by shaxper on Apr 9, 2015 7:20:51 GMT -5
Once your mental gag reflex adjusts after the first few minutes of the film, the rest wasn't all that terrible. Of course, it's been years, and I remember my indifferent reaction more than the film itself.
I heard rumors that the film was never intended to be released -- that they began production on the film just to retain the cinematic rights to the Fantastic Four for some later date. Never quite understood that logic, but has anyone else heard this?
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Post by hondobrode on Apr 9, 2015 7:54:29 GMT -5
Yes, I've heard that as well, but not sure if that isn't just speculation. I think Corman and the cast made this as a labor of love on an extremely tight budget. I lived in northern Iowa in 1994 and was going to Minneapolis for the premiere and then boom ! not available.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,390
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Post by shaxper on Apr 9, 2015 7:58:13 GMT -5
It's just interesting that all the Marvel films produced in that time span: FF, Nick Fury, and Captain America all never ended up seeing mainstream release. Makes you wonder whether the studios really could have been that short-sighted, or if something else was going on.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 9:01:57 GMT -5
I actually just watched it for the first time a few months ago on youtube. It was terrible but kind of fun in a way and a documentary could be interesting. I watched that movie on You Tube about 3 months ago and what Jesse had said it was terrible - but it's was a bit fun watching it on You Tube and I do like the costumes of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, and the Human Torch. The Thing was downright horrible to see and the special effects was very dated too. I would give this movie an slightly below average grade and it's does the job back then. I also agree with Coke & Comics - Poor Production Values and Lighting too. I don't think it will do well in DVD Sales ... I wouldn't bother with it at all. That's my take on this movie. I did watch it out of sheer curiosity kills the cat .... |
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Post by DE Sinclair on Apr 9, 2015 11:07:57 GMT -5
I watched it in pieces on YouTube several years ago. The special effects and lighting were practically non-existent. My strongest memory of the movie is a bunch of people standing around in the dark. I think Mr. Fantastic stretched one arm once, and the Torch flamed on completely once. The acting was bad, what plot that existed was bad, nothing redeeming about it that I could find.
Coke & Comics is of course entitled to his opinion and dislike of the two released FF movies, but in my opinion, this is the worst attempt at a superhero movie ever. Admittedly both of the newer FF movies had issues (especially the 2nd one), but I thought the 1st one did a good job of capturing the personalities of the FF, though not so much with Doom.
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Post by Cei-U! on Apr 9, 2015 11:16:02 GMT -5
The two FF movies which were actually released are worse. I will never, ever agree with this. Aside to shax: The Nick Fury movie was made-for-TV. It was never slated for theatrical release. Cei-U! I summon the post-and-run! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2024 15:42:12 GMT -5
One of my fave podcasts has been doing a series on The Unreleased FF Movie, and they recently spoke with Joseph Culp, who played Doom in the film. In addition to the great interview, he took time to record Doctor Doom's monologue from Doomwar:
So good.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jan 27, 2024 17:49:24 GMT -5
One thing I would like to see is Fantastic Four Annual #2 adapted to the big screen. Doctor Doom's origin is a fantastic story, and I think it's strong enough to stand on its own before he makes his unavoidable appearance in a new FF movie.
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Post by majestic on Jan 27, 2024 19:40:57 GMT -5
I only saw about 10 mins and it was bad. However I thought the 1990 Capt America was ok... not great but not horrible.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 27, 2024 23:52:46 GMT -5
Story wise, the film is pretty good; effects wise it is horrible; but, then, it was never meant to be a releasable film. It was just to maintain an option, while the rights holder tried to interest a big studio. The acting is decent, given the limitations of everything else. I have seen worse big budget films.
I find it better than Captain America 1990, particularly the acting. Matt Salinger was a real plank of wood and Scott Paulin was beyond over-acting, and not in a fun way. It did Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty no favors, either. Also, Albert Pyun's resume is filled with more crap than an outhouse after chili night. Corman was Orson Welles, by comparison.
That said, the timeline on Sue and Reed is rather creepy, in this one.
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