FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER — ** — Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans; rated PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity, torture, brief drugs).

All that was needed to improve "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" over the first film was to beef up the action and tone down the sillier attempts at humor.

Instead, the filmmakers did the exact opposite. The movie plays out like a particularly unfunny, dysfunctional family sitcom and features even less action than its predecessor.

And while the second "Fantastic Four" movie may not be as bad as something like "Ghost Rider," it's still a major disappointment, especially considering the source material.

This dull sequel is based on one of the most beloved story lines from the long-running Marvel Comics series — a title that once boasted to be "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine."

As it begins, scientist sweethearts Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) and Susan Storm (Jessica Alba) — the cosmically powered Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Girl — are trying to get married. Unfortunately, world-saving responsibilities interrupt.

They're also busy trying to stop the bickering between Sue's hot-headed brother Johnny (Chris Evans), or the Human Torch, and Reed's college pal Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), a k a The Thing. The four have to work as a team to deal with a series of storms across the world.

Those storms are caused by a mysterious silver figure on a surfboard. The Silver Surfer's presence on Earth heralds the arrival of planetary menace. And he's somehow manage to awaken the dormant villain Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon), who's vowed to exact his revenge on our heroes.

"Rise of the Silver Surfer" does feature some improved CGI effects. The title character, whose movements were "mimed" by physical performer Doug Jones (Laurence Fishburne provides the voice), does look pretty cool.

But there's not nearly enough action here, and most of the attempts at humor fail miserably. Frankly, the funniest thing about the film is Alba's continuing attempts to act.

"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" is rated PG for scenes of comic-book action and violence (brawling, assorted vehicular and explosive mayhem, and some violence against women), some crude humor (including a flatulence gag) and some sexually suggestive references, scattered profanity, a brief scene of torture, and some brief drug content (hypodermic needle use). Running time: 92 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com