A New Beginning for the Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four, Marvel's first family, are finally home where they belong, and it feels so good. First Steps introduces fans to the world once again, welcoming Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). It’s the third time these characters have graced the silver screen — fourth if we include John Krasinski’s cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — but there is something just right about this team-up.
The quartet are already a year into their journey as superheroes after having returned to Earth from a space mission with powers. They're beloved by their community and always on hand to save the day; they're also ready to take new steps as a family after Sue finds out she's pregnant. Everything is great, until the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) shows up to herald the planet's coming doom with the arrival of Galactus (Ralph Ineson), and it's up to the Fantastic Four to stop him.
There is a real sense, lately, that Marvel is going back to basics. It felt that way with Thunderbolts and the movie's more grounded approach to character, and the same can be said about this new Fantastic Four. First Steps keeps things simple: there's a bad guy and the heroes are against the clock to save the day before it's too late. It's not all that new, sure, but in a way there's nothing wrong with that.
With everything Marvel has done and achieved over the years, we've been conditioned to expect each new chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to be bigger and bolder than the last. Fantastic Four doesn't push itself too far outside of Marvel's comfort zone with its narrative in that respect, but sometimes less is more.
A Delightful Film for All
First Steps is a delightful film that will have most viewers smiling from beginning to end, thanks to its exploration of family through its charming characters. The beauty of this Fantastic Four movie is that anyone can enjoy it. Whether you're a diehard Marvel fan who has been there since the first Iron Man came out or someone who simply wants to watch the latest Pedro Pascal flick, this film is for you.
It works as a standalone story. In fact, even though First Steps technically is set in an alternate version of Earth to the one where the rest of the MCU takes place, there is not one mention of the multiverse. This is a welcome change, as Marvel has complicated the idea so much that it's lost its edge, and it works in Fantastic Four's favor that it's somewhat separate from what's come before. By being its own thing, the film feels fresh, even though it really isn't.
Epic and Awe-Inspiring
The film is epic and awe-inspiring in all the right ways thanks to its great action scenes and stunning set design, but director Matt Shakman knows when to dial things down and focus on the small scale when necessary. Johnny and Ben's constant banter or Reed and Sue's early days of parenthood are examples of that. And while Thunderbolts felt a lot more relatable as characters, Fantastic Four's strength also lies in its central quartet.
A Strong Cast Brings the Characters to Life
Which brings me to the cast. The power of Pascal is remarkable; the actor has the movie-going public in the palm of his hand and will continue to do so with his sweet-natured, gentle take on Reed Richards. His scientist perfectly complements Kirby's stoic Sue Storm, and their chemistry is off the charts. Meanwhile, Quinn's Johnny and Moss-Bachrach's Ben are the comic relief of the film, as they should be, but there are moments of genuine vulnerability for the two of them as well. And, despite Pascal's star power, the standout of the film is Quinn as the sharp-talking firestarter, just like Chris Evans before him.
Villains That Fall Short
The villains aren't all that exciting, though. Galactus might be big and scary, but he pales in comparison to classics like Loki (Tom Hiddleston) or Thanos (Josh Brolin), who were allowed more time to make a mark. And for all the vitriol Garner's casting as the Silver Surfer created online when she was first revealed, her character is just OK.
A Fun but Uninspired Story
This new Fantastic Four film is fun but it never goes quite far enough, and even if the message of hope is sincere, and the cast bring it to life beautifully, the story doesn't quite capture what is necessary for greatness. But all in all, the Fantastic Four are welcome additions to the MCU, and now that they've been fully introduced, it will be exciting to see how their story continues and what it'll mean for the heroes of Earth-199999.
We already know the quartet will be back for Avengers: Doomsday, and the film's post-credit scene paves the way for this in interesting ways. So, now that the Fantastic Four are here, the question is: can they save Marvel? Perhaps. They're certainly an exciting new addition to the overall group, and with the Thunderbolts also stepping up to the plate to bolster the MCU, anything seems possible. Perhaps, even, that the studio can get back its spark.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres in UK cinemas on Thursday, 24 July.
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