Here's a better question: how does Reed possibly get this information? Apparently he must've seen the pre-credit sequence, a neat bit showing an unnamed planet getting torn apart, followed by the Surfer leaving it and heading to Earth. It sets the movie off on the right comic-book-y foot, a tone which remarkably remains consistent.

Now, I've already admitted I haven't seen the first movie, but more importantly (to some people), I've never read the comic books, either. Apparently the Silver Surfer is a pretty iconic Marvel character, as is his boss, Galactus. (He's the "much, much worse" I was so elegantly hinting at before.) Prior to seeing the movie, the regular online geek hubs seemed none too happy to have this Fantastic Four sequel, thanks particularly to its portrayal of Galactus, but judging from the reaction of the fans in the theater I was in, most people loved it.

See, the thing about Rise of the Silver Surfer is that it's a heck of a lot of fun that requires very little thought. But I mean that second part in a good way too -- there are no gigantic plot holes or annoyances that distract your brain from the sights and sounds. The amount of character development that occurs over the movie is actually pretty admirable, but the script wisely doesn't go for the heavy-handedness that a movie like X2 could pull off and a movie like Superman Returns couldn't. Everything in this story makes sense within the logic of the movie, and the script, when you look at it, is tight and really well structured, and everyone gets their time to shine (including Julian McMahon as the team's old archnemesis, the hilariously named Dr. Victor Von Doom). It's a product, yes -- we're reminded of that plenty of times by an array of product placement -- but it's a welcome product. And the amount of humor goes a long way.

If you expected to read a cynical review that condemns Hollywood trying to dumb-down the masses with schlock, well, I'm just as surprised as you are. But I was impressed by the sense of wonder Galactus and the Surfer evoked. I was charmed by Chris Evans' brash, charismatic persona. The family dynamics...well, they were touching in the way that old Saved by the Bell and Full House episodes are touching, but in terms of disposable entertainment, you could do a lot worse this summer.

Movie Grade: B+

Synopsis:

Marvel's first family of superheroes, The Fantastic Four, meets their greatest challenge yet in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to ...