Directed By Matt Shakman; Screenplay By Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, & Ian Springer; Story By Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, & Kat Wood; Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson.
Based on the popular Marvel comic book superhero team created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. The story follows Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must protect the Earth from Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a ravenous space god, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
If you were to ask me about my knowledge of comic book superheroes, I’m most intimately familiar with Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, and the X-Men. When it comes to the Fantastic Four, I’ve always had more of a vague familiarity with them. I’ve seen a little of the 1990s animated series, their appearances on the 90s Spider-Man cartoon, and the 2005 live action film. Speaking of which, Marvel’s first family previously hasn’t had an impressive track record on the big screen.
The first attempt from 1994 produced by Roger Corman was notably never officially released. The second attempt with the aforementioned 2005 movie from 20th Century Fox, while a commercial success, wasn’t particularly well received. Its 2007 sequel subtitled Rise of the Silver Surfer, had similar results, but didn’t make as much. Fox then attempted to reboot the franchise in 2015, yet it infamously suffered from studio interference, and the end results spoke for themselves.
When Disney acquired Fox in 2019, Marvel thankfully got the rights to the Fantastic Four back. Thus, they’re now here with their attempt. A chief complaint many have had with the MCU as of late is having to keep up with all the movies and TV shows. CEO Kevin Feige has even recently admitted that they really do need to cut back on giving audiences homework for future installments. As The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in an alternate universe from the main MCU, this movie works perfectly as its own self contained story.
The story told here is quite a compelling one involving a family where everyone just so happens to have superpowers. That’s something many have always loved about Pixar’s 2004 classic, The Incredibles. Although this movie also explores how the public by and large views the heroes as well as how their perceptions of them can change. Similar to the most Superman film from James Gunn, this one doesn’t do a full on retelling of the origin story. Although we do at least get a quick recap of how the Fantastic Four came to be via newsreel at the beginning.
Under Matt Shakman’s direction, the world he creates helps make this movie distinct from not only previous installments in the MCU, but other superhero stories in general. It feels very evocative of 1960s TV shows set in the future such as The Jetsons, Lost in Space, and even the original Star Trek. Karsa Farahani’s production design is very imaginative. Alexandra Byrne’s costumes are so vibrant. The visual effects are well done. Michael Giacchino’s musical score is really good.
For each and every member of Marvel’s first family, they all share excellent onscreen chemistry. As leader Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Pedro Pascal’s charisma suits the role pretty well. He also has his moments where he proves to be a loving family man. As his wife, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Vanessa Kirby has the best arc in the whole movie. It begins with the news that she’s pregnant, goes on to give birth about midway through, then has to consider the sacrifices a mother must make. I thought she managed to pull that off very successfully.
As Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ebon Moss-Bachrach is very appropriately rock solid not just on the outside, but also on the inside. As Sue’s younger brother, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Joseph Quinn makes for an absolutely loveable fire cracker (pun intended). I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight the unsung hero of the team, H.E.R.B.I.E., who happens to be the Fantastic Four’s reliable robot companion. As the villainous Galactus, Ralph Ineson provides such an epic presence as does Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer. Natasha Lyonne and Paul Walter Hauser aren’t in this movie a whole lot. Yet when each of them show up, they both have very memorable appearances.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel when it comes to superhero films. Although that is not necessarily a requirement. The most that’s really needed is a good, well told story that knows how to have fun. In each of those areas, all boxes have been checked off. Not to mention that it also has quite a bit of heart. If you’re a longtime MCU fan, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re, like me, not a big MCU follower, you’ll still have a good time. As always, be sure to stay during the end credits for a little tease of what’s to come in the future.
Rating: (appropriately enough) 4/5
Based on the popular Marvel comic book superhero team created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. The story follows Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must protect the Earth from Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a ravenous space god, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
If you were to ask me about my knowledge of comic book superheroes, I’m most intimately familiar with Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, and the X-Men. When it comes to the Fantastic Four, I’ve always had more of a vague familiarity with them. I’ve seen a little of the 1990s animated series, their appearances on the 90s Spider-Man cartoon, and the 2005 live action film. Speaking of which, Marvel’s first family previously hasn’t had an impressive track record on the big screen.
The first attempt from 1994 produced by Roger Corman was notably never officially released. The second attempt with the aforementioned 2005 movie from 20th Century Fox, while a commercial success, wasn’t particularly well received. Its 2007 sequel subtitled Rise of the Silver Surfer, had similar results, but didn’t make as much. Fox then attempted to reboot the franchise in 2015, yet it infamously suffered from studio interference, and the end results spoke for themselves.
When Disney acquired Fox in 2019, Marvel thankfully got the rights to the Fantastic Four back. Thus, they’re now here with their attempt. A chief complaint many have had with the MCU as of late is having to keep up with all the movies and TV shows. CEO Kevin Feige has even recently admitted that they really do need to cut back on giving audiences homework for future installments. As The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in an alternate universe from the main MCU, this movie works perfectly as its own self contained story.
The story told here is quite a compelling one involving a family where everyone just so happens to have superpowers. That’s something many have always loved about Pixar’s 2004 classic, The Incredibles. Although this movie also explores how the public by and large views the heroes as well as how their perceptions of them can change. Similar to the most Superman film from James Gunn, this one doesn’t do a full on retelling of the origin story. Although we do at least get a quick recap of how the Fantastic Four came to be via newsreel at the beginning.
Under Matt Shakman’s direction, the world he creates helps make this movie distinct from not only previous installments in the MCU, but other superhero stories in general. It feels very evocative of 1960s TV shows set in the future such as The Jetsons, Lost in Space, and even the original Star Trek. Karsa Farahani’s production design is very imaginative. Alexandra Byrne’s costumes are so vibrant. The visual effects are well done. Michael Giacchino’s musical score is really good.
For each and every member of Marvel’s first family, they all share excellent onscreen chemistry. As leader Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Pedro Pascal’s charisma suits the role pretty well. He also has his moments where he proves to be a loving family man. As his wife, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Vanessa Kirby has the best arc in the whole movie. It begins with the news that she’s pregnant, goes on to give birth about midway through, then has to consider the sacrifices a mother must make. I thought she managed to pull that off very successfully.
As Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ebon Moss-Bachrach is very appropriately rock solid not just on the outside, but also on the inside. As Sue’s younger brother, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Joseph Quinn makes for an absolutely loveable fire cracker (pun intended). I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight the unsung hero of the team, H.E.R.B.I.E., who happens to be the Fantastic Four’s reliable robot companion. As the villainous Galactus, Ralph Ineson provides such an epic presence as does Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer. Natasha Lyonne and Paul Walter Hauser aren’t in this movie a whole lot. Yet when each of them show up, they both have very memorable appearances.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel when it comes to superhero films. Although that is not necessarily a requirement. The most that’s really needed is a good, well told story that knows how to have fun. In each of those areas, all boxes have been checked off. Not to mention that it also has quite a bit of heart. If you’re a longtime MCU fan, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re, like me, not a big MCU follower, you’ll still have a good time. As always, be sure to stay during the end credits for a little tease of what’s to come in the future.
Rating: (appropriately enough) 4/5