Pass on ‘Fantastic Four,’ MI and ‘Cooties’ worth a watch

“Fantastic Four”

One of the first major comic book titles for Marvel just can’t seem to find a comfort zone on the screen. Its two previous adaptations went for bright and shiny. For this reboot, director Josh Trank dives back into the same dark/realist style, he used in 2012’s Chronicle. He also began a firestorm (pun intended) among fanboys by casting Michael B. Jordan in the traditionally Caucasian role of Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch. The cast is actually stacked with young talent, joining Jordan is Miles Teller, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell, but they never really seem to click. The same goes for the story which treads over the same-old-same-old. The short running time doesn’t help – it just makes it feel like it’s ramping up for its sequel before it manages to build any strengths of its own. It breaks out some new gadgets. There’s some lingering teenage angst, but fantastic it isn’t – pass.

“Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation”

Writer/director Christopher McQuarrie just seems to get Tom Cruise. This is the fourth project McQuarrie has written for Cruise. The previous three – “Valkyrie,” “Jack Reacher” and “Edge of Tomorrow” – have all allowed Cruise to separate his personal craziness with his onscreen badassery. McQuarrie also directed “Jack Reacher” and this film, and their relationship seems to be solidified by making kickass movies. Ving Rhames must think so too, because he shows his true dedication by returning and making him the only actor besides Cruise to appear in all five films in the franchise. Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg return one more time to chase down the shadow organization known as The Syndicate. Swedish star Rebecca Ferguson pops up to add a female perspective to the male dominated script. Cruise does all his own stunts, and they’re phenomenal stunts. These are big and fun action movies. Cruise and McQuarrie have signed on to do another one – good for us, because this is worth a watch.

“Cooties”

Let me start by saying, this is a ridiculous movie – a horror comedy about kids transforming into bloodthirsty, rage monsters after contracting cooties at summer school. The fun of it is it’s aware of its ridiculousness. This little piece of goofy is the brainchild of three big names in the horror game – Leigh Whannell (writer of the “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises), Ian Brennan (co-creator of “Scream Queens”) and Josh C. Waller (executive producer of “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night”). The cast gets where the goofiness is going – lead by a clueless Elijah Wood, a cocky Rainn Wilson and an oblivious Alison Pill. There’s also a lineup of comedy cameos as bratty kids get bashed and beaten and burned to a crisp, all for the sake of a one-liner. Most audiences can treat this one like the cooties and stay away, but it’s a treat for fans of the black comedy. What the hell, let’s call it horredy, and for horredy fans, it’s worth a watch.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 8:25 AM with the headline "Pass on ‘Fantastic Four,’ MI and ‘Cooties’ worth a watch."