Any film with a title like Fantastic Four is setting itself up for a fall.

Sadly, Tim Story's family friendly, comic book superhero romp falls hard and never looks capable of getting up again.

Brilliant scientist Dr Reed Richards (Gruffudd) hopes to unlock the secrets of human genetic coding by studying cosmic storms.

In order to further his research, Reed approaches old college rival, billionaire industrialist Victor Von Doom (McMahon), whose company assets include an orbiting space station.

For a hefty cut of profits arising from the mission, Von Doom allows Reed and his colleague, astronaut Ben Grimm (Chiklis), access to the space station.

Reed reluctantly agrees, even acquiescing to Von Doom's demands that his director of Genetic Research, Sue Storm (Alba), who just happens to be Reed's ex-girlfriend, and her hot-headed brother, pilot Johnny Storm (Evans), come along for the ride.

Needless to say, Victor also suits up for the journey into outer space.

The mission verges on a catastrophe when cosmic rays bombard the space station and everyone on board.

Back on terra firma, the scientists discover that the storm has irrevocably altered their DNA.

Reed discovers the ability to stretch at will, Sue is able to render herself invisible, Johnny transforms into The Human Torch and Ben metamorphoses into an incredibly strong half-man, half-rock creature, cruelly nicknamed The Thing.

Slowly embracing their new-found abilities, the so-called "Fantastic Four'' become the media darlings of New York, until Victor unleashes his own dark powers as dastardly Doctor Doom.

Director Story fails to generate any dramatic momentum or suspense.

Crucially, the film denies us any sense of anticipation by withholding Dr Doom's first appearance in full arch-villain regalia until the final 20 minutes.

The combined powers of the Fantastic Four seem so vastly superior to Doom's talents, there is never any doubt that good will prevail.

The only question is how long scriptwriters Mark Frost and Michael France can tread water before the hardly titanic final showdown.

Fantastic Four doesn't boast a single memorable action set piece - not that there are many to choose from.

After the lacklustre opening act - the cosmic storm - eye-popping thrills and spills are in pitifully short supply.

It's anybody's guess where the hefty budget went because the money is certainly not on the screen. In the absence of computer-generated spectacle, the film plies clumsy characterisation and an insipid romantic subplot.

Performances are merely adequate. Evans is the only actor to make any impact, bringing a cocksure swagger and boyish good humour to his role.