Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
After many delays, Marvel Studios has finally brought us a new “Fantastic Four” film! The story takes place on an alternate Earth, where the Fantastic Four are already established as protectors of earth. But a new reality arises, as Reed and Sue are soon to be parents. Shortly after the news, a mysterious being called The Silver Surfer arrives on earth. She announces that Galactus, a cosmic space God that devours planets, is coming to destroy their world. The four must garner the strength to be parents and protectors at the same time. Can their unity as a family help propel them to success and save the planet?
Positives:
I started to wonder if Marvel would ever get this film off the ground. But once the cast was announced and the story was written, my anticipation level grew. The Fantastic Four have always been some of my favorite Marvel characters. Their unique team dynamic and human approach have always made them relatable. Their struggle to adapt to the world with their powers gives them each a unique perspective on top of their different personalities. I’m thrilled to report that “First Steps” captures the heart of these characters wonderfully! The film wastes no time getting going, giving audiences a synopsis of their past while establishing the role they play in their world. We get to see how close they are, whether it be watching them eat dinner as a family or working together to defeat an otherworldly threat. It’s clear that they truly care for one another, highlighting the ideas of parenthood and family bonds. This is especially true as we see Reed and Sue navigate their new role as parents. Reed sees the world through an analytical perspective while Sue views everything in a more human way. This provides a nice approach to see how they will navigate parenthood and how to prepare for their battle with Galactus. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach all deliver terrific performances to help bring these characters to life. Also credit to Ralph Ineson for making Galactus as menacing and intimidating as he did. The character dynamics are the strongest in an MCU film in quite some time, so credit to director Matt Shakman for fleshing out his heroes!
Another impressive aspect of the film is the old school aesthetic. No other MCU film has a visual style quite like this. The retro 60s costume design and visual flare helps audiences get immersed into this world nicely. This is a movie that unashamedly embraces its comic book roots, giving fans a whimsical, immersive experience. I enjoyed the feeling of a world where flying cars can exist in a dated version of Earth. The brilliance of the team allows a grounded version of earth to exist in the midst of superhuman existence. An area where Marvel has struggled is the villain department. I’m happy to say that Galactus is one of the strongest aspects of the film! He is grand in scale, capturing the intimidating nature of the character and the threat he poses to earth. His design is pitch perfect to the comic design. I’ve always said that heroes are only as good as their villains, so the Fantastic Four earn their stripes by tackling an antagonist as strong as Galactus. I also enjoyed that the film feels largely separate from the rest of the MCU. This is an independent story that is allowed to focus on its characters rather than setting up other storylines. I miss the days of this format so it is a refreshing change of pace. I can’t wait to see where these characters go next!
Negatives:
“First Steps” is very close to being great but it’s missing a few pieces that could have made it a truly spectacular film. The main issue I had with the story is that it felt too short. With a runtime of under two hours, the story covers a lot in a short window. If the film had an additional fifteen to twenty minutes, some of the character driven moments could have been stronger. This is especially true for the development of The Silver Surfer. Another scene discussing how to combat Galactus or some further exploration on the powers of the group could have enhanced the story. I can tell that areas of the story were trimmed to make the story flow faster. I would have enjoyed slowing down in the first half of the film but luckily once the main threat is established, the pace slows down. I know the trend is to ditch origin stories nowadays, but I can’t help but feel like exploring the beginning stages of these characters would help audiences connect with them more. The opening scene establishes the four nicely but I am a sucker for origin stories. There are a few shots of wonky CGI but the film as a whole is quite strong in the visual effects department.
Conclusion:
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is one of the best movies in the MCU! It wonderfully combines a unique style with great characters, fleshing out a world that feels lived in. We connect to the four nicely, feeling their strong emotional bond and devotion to protecting their world. The cast does a nice job bringing these characters to life and setting up another group of heroes within the MCU. I enjoyed experiencing a film that feels distinct, allowing us to enjoy the story for what it is rather than setting up a myriad of sequels. I do wish the film was given extra time to explore the conflict. Allowing certain scenes more time to breathe would have also helped. But the film is a success in many ways, providing a fresh and exciting superhero adventure that is not one to miss. Fans will enjoy the mid credits scene which amps up the excitement for “Avengers: Doomsday”. A great time at the theater to see with a packed audience!
