Four? Yes. Fantastic? No.

I enjoy the ever-disappearing American drive-in movie experience. Drive-ins were once plentiful across the land, but today they are as rare as people who believe Whitney Houston doesn't do drugs. Luckily, there is a drive-in theater near here that allows me to occasionally take in a couple of first-run flicks for the low, low price of only $6.

Last evening I went to this particular drive-in to see "Fantastic Four" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." The theater was overflowing with families, teenagers, and movie-goers who prefer to watch their stars under the stars. Perhaps the best thing about the overall experience is that you can remain in your vehicle in the comfort of your own "home," or, you can take a lawn chair and sit next to your vehicle if you don't mind inhaling a little cloud of dust now and then from passing vehicles driving past.

First up, Fantastic Four. Plot: A group of astronauts gain superpowers after a cosmic radiation exposure and must use them to oppose the plans of their enemy, Doctor Victor Von Doom. This latest comic book come alive flick stars Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis (The Shield), and Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck).

The movie is appropriately cast and the acting is adequate and not over-the-top. If you liked X-Men, Spiderman, and the rest, you will assuredly like this one also. There are the obligatory laugh lines woven throughout the dialogue, and the story travels along nicely enough but is somewhat predictable. In the end, this one, like the others, comes down to "Good versus Evil." And as we all know, good triumphs. It has to, it's the law.

Chris Evans as the "Human Torch" has the clear breakout performance here. Expect to see more of him in the future. He's funny, free-wheeling, and as any girl from about 14-84 will attest, he's hot. And Jessica Alba is anything but "invisible" in her snug-fitting F4 superhero outfit. She is definitely fantastic to look at it.

While F4 doesn't disappoint, it certainly doesn't dazzle with anything new or unexpected. Hollywood knows the "safe and profitable" formula all too well these days and rarely ventures outside those bounds. For a Friday night at the drive-in on a warm Summer evening, it was fine. And sometimes, maybe that's enough.

For those who waited around until 12:25 AM to see the second flick, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," starring Brad Pitt and Anjelina Jolie, they were rewarded with a substantial dose of "Sleep-Ease." It wasn't horrible but it certainly won't be on the list of Oscar possibilities this year. M&MS is truly a "drive-in movie." If you understand that assessment, you know that's 'nuff said. Don't rush out to see it, it will be on DVD and pay channels soon enough.