“Fantastic” is a word used quite bit in this new release, and I’d say the word fits in reviewing the film as well.

I was surprised how much I liked “Fantastic Four.” I thought it would be too campy and stupid to be entertaining. It does have a small amount of camp to it, but it works for the film.

There is a heart and soul in this movie that several other comic-book movies lack. This movie features real human relationships and emotions that affected me as the viewer.

The most touching storyline in “Fantastic Four” is that troubles of Ben Grimm a.k.a. “The Thing.” While the other members of the group still look the same and can turn their powers on and off at their own sheer will - he doesn’t have that option it’s changed his life more than anyone else - he’s horribly deformed and that’s affected his marriage, his friends, everything. The scene on the bridge between Grimm and his wife, as an example, affected me emotionally. Did I cry like a baby? No. But did I get a little lump in my chest for a second? I did. I never expected that to happen in a movie like this.

Michael Chiklis this story to showcase his talents and it’s a wonder he’s not known more. You’ve seen him before on TV’s “The Shield” and years ago on “The Commish.” I think we’ll being hearing more things about him in the future beyond TV and “Four.”

Jessica Alba actually does a decent job in this movie. Of course she looks hot, hot, hot and seeing her in her bra and panties didn’t hurt at all - but she actually makes the role her own. Will she win any Oscars for this role? Nope. But is she sub-par to any of the other heroes in the film? No, as well.

Most people don’t know who Chris Evans is. He’s the guy who played opposite Kim Basinger in last year’s “Cellular.” Evans pulls off the egotistical and brash Johnny Storm without being annoying - most times you want to punch characters like that right in the face - but he was actually entertaining.

Of course, there’s Ioan Gruffud as Reed Richards who most remember as Lancelot in last year’s “King Arthur.” He pulls off Mr. Fantastic well - being the geeky scientist who cares more about how the new space suits are designed than Susan Storm’s cleavage (a hilarious scene). In the vein of Peter Parker, he plays the nerd with the heart of a hero right on target - someone who in many ways we can identify with - and that’s what counts when it comes to characters on film.

Julian McMahon as Dr. Doom I liked. You’ve seen this actor before on “Nip/Tuck” and “Charmed.” I liked what they did with his character. They reference Latvania (a fictitious country where the character is King in the comics) in the movie to fit the backstory with a nice set up at the end. Although he doesn’t actually appear as Dr. Doom as we all know him until the last act of the film, I bought his progression from “Victor Von” to “Doctor” and loved the fact they had him affected physically as well as the Fantastic Four.

Overall, I was worried we’d get the quality of “Hulk” or worse “Elektra”, but we actually ended up on a level just a bit behind “Spider-Man”… so I’ll be looking for the second adventure of my new favorite foursome.