Test screenings feel a bit risky these days. You want to put your product out there and get some feedback to allow you to tweak it. However, in this internet age, if a movie gets any sort of negative reaction, the commentary that can develop around a movie can have really bad consequences. This has happened to both of this summer’s massive superhero releases, Superman and The Fantastic Four.
Don’t screen them, and the commentators start to wonder “what are they hiding?” Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Reports say Superman has undergone some changes to tone down humor and is tightening well as the final cut approaches a lock. Online, the stories say that audiences have reacted at extremes of either “loved it” or “hated it” – seemingly depending on their mileage with the Snyder-verse.
Now it is the turn of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Both World of Reel and The Insneider are carrying reports on a test screening, and the results could be worrying. If Superman is driving strong opinions in those screening rooms, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has seemingly done the opposite, with reactions described as middling.
Galactus is well-received, but there is criticism of the character development, and some are expressing surprise at how unfinished the VFX are just two months out from release.
Marvel, as we know, has had VFX issues in the past due to the pace of work.
We might see some more of the movie later today, as there has just been a panel dedicated to the movie at CCXP Mexico. The movie itself drops on July 25th in theaters, just two weeks after Superman.
