A Confusing Reintroduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The latest film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, which premiered in theaters, attempts to reintroduce the iconic comic book superheroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it falls short in delivering a cohesive and enjoyable experience. The movie struggles with balancing its tone, resulting in an overall lack of fun.
The story begins with Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) already four years into their journey as The Fantastic Four. This makes the title "First Steps" somewhat misleading, as it suggests a beginning that isn't actually present. Additionally, the film's reference to Sue and Reed's baby is not central to the plot, making it feel like a superficial addition.
A TV montage showcasing the team’s past adventures highlights scenes that seem more entertaining than what is presented in the film itself. It also delves into how a space accident granted the four characters their superpowers. On Earth 828, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) warns of Galactus (Ralph Ineson), who plans to devour the planet. The Fantastic Four then attempt to find a way to either negotiate with or stop him.
The setting appears to be inspired by the 1960s, although no specific date is mentioned. It could be that the world features '60s-style architecture and technology, with classic rock n' roll music playing on the radio. Most Marvel films are set on Earth 199999, so this retro-futuristic approach feels unique.
The concept of a retro-futuristic Fantastic Four sounds intriguing. Reed has a robot assistant named Herbert, uses reel-to-reel cassettes, and the Times Square setting includes fake movie and Broadway billboards alongside real Coca-Cola and Pan Am signs. However, the film doesn’t fully embrace this aesthetic, as it seems more like a Marvel aesthetic with some retro elements rather than a true period piece.
The plot of First Steps rarely capitalizes on these ideas. The main storyline revolves around the fate of the entire world and the pressure on the Fantastic Four to stop Galactus. While the stakes are high, the film fails to inject enough fun into the narrative. Ben and Johnny’s occasional humor does little to counterbalance the film’s serious tone.
Galactus’ plot involves Reed and Sue’s baby, which feels out of place compared to other superhero stories. For example, even Darth Vader from Star Wars didn’t target any babies when he destroyed a planet. This decision feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall experience.
Among the various screen adaptations of The Fantastic Four, only the 2005 film and its sequel seemed to understand that the franchise should be fun. While they may not have always succeeded, their intention was clear. Even the unreleased Roger Corman production can be forgiven for working with limited resources. The last two reboots, however, had all the resources of major studios but opted for a gravitas that didn’t work in either case.
When Galactus arrives in New York, his impact is less impressive than in Godzilla or King Kong movies. He lacks the animalistic personality of those creatures, making his actions feel generic and unexciting.
The cast delivers committed performances despite the material they’re given. Reed is portrayed as burdened by his intellect rather than his stretching abilities. Ben tries to maintain a friendly demeanor despite his rocky appearance and immense power. Quinn’s portrayal of Johnny is more subdued than Chris Evans’ depiction in the 2005 version, which he reprised in a Deadpool & Wolverine cameo. Perhaps Disney felt that Evans’ version was too intense for a PG-13 rating, leading to a more restrained performance from Quinn.
The Silver Surfer stands out due to her alien appearance and Julia Garner’s compelling body language. Sue, however, is left mostly to scold the others, leaving Vanessa Kirby underutilized in her role.
This iteration of Fantastic Four will appear in The Avengers: Doomsday, as confirmed by a mid-credits scene set four years later. While there is potential for these characters to integrate well with the rest of the Marvel universe, on their own, the clash of tonal elements undermines the overall vibe.
Fred Topel, a UPI entertainment writer based in Los Angeles, has been a professional film critic since 1999 and a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001. He is also a member of the Television Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. His work can be found in various entertainment publications.
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