A New Beginning for Marvel
Marvel's latest film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, has been hailed as a potential turning point for the studio. Early reviews suggest that the movie is helping Marvel "get its mojo back," with some critics calling it the best in a decade. The Telegraph praised it as "Marvel's best film in a decade," while the Guardian noted that the studio had "regained its buoyancy." However, not all reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with some pointing out that the film, while not a disaster, doesn't quite reach the heights of other superhero classics.
This is the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it marks a significant reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise. The 2015 adaptation was a commercial and critical failure, but this new version has taken a different approach. It stars Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing. Set in the 1960s, the film follows the heroes as they defend Earth from a space god named Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
Positive Reviews and Fresh Perspectives
The film received praise for its retro-styled visuals and storytelling. Variety ran the headline "Marvel gets its Mojo back with a satisfying retro-styled reboot," highlighting the relief of watching a Marvel movie that doesn’t require prior knowledge of the entire MCU. Reviewer Peter Debrudge noted that scaling back from the overcrowded feel of recent films was a smart move, allowing the audience to enjoy the story without needing to have seen all previous movies.
One of the most notable changes in this reboot is the gender-swapping of the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner. This change created an "intriguingly flirtatious dynamic" with Johnny Storm, according to Debrudge. He concluded that the film feels like a fresh start, which could be exactly what the genre needs after years of superhero fatigue.
The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin gave the film four stars, calling it "the start of an exciting new chapter for Marvel." He praised the film for being earnest, colorful, and upbeat, and for asking the audience to bring nothing more than a willingness to be wowed. He also highlighted the strong performances from the cast, particularly Vanessa Kirby as The Invisible Woman.
Mixed Reactions and Thoughtful Critiques
Not all reviews were glowing, however. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave the film three stars, noting that it presents a retro-futurist version of 1960s New York where the characters live together as a dysfunctional family. While he found the film entertaining, he pointed out that it still falls into the typical tropes of the genre, such as unfunny banter and a lack of risk-taking.
Clarisse Loughrey of the Independent also gave the film three stars, praising Vanessa Kirby’s performance and the set design. However, she felt that the film was weighed down by the usual Marvel humor and lack of tension. She noted that the ethical dilemma of Reed and Sue’s marriage was one of the most fascinating aspects of the film, but it was resolved too quickly.
A New Direction for the MCU
Director Matt Shakman emphasized that the film exists in its own universe, so fans don’t need to worry about connecting it to the rest of the MCU. However, John Malkovich was originally set to appear as Red Ghost, but his scenes were cut from the final version.
Marvel CEO Kevin Feige hinted at a seven-year plan for the studio, including the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in 2026 and two Avengers movies. He praised DC Comics’ recent Superman reboot for its simplicity and suggested that Marvel should take inspiration from it.
Caryn James of Culture called the film "pleasant enough but lacks tension," despite strong performances from the cast. She described it as a warm-up for future MCU stories, introducing characters who will become major parts of the universe.
On the other hand, Empire’s Dan Jolin enjoyed the film more, giving it four stars. He praised its sincerity and the message of unity, saying that the heroes presented in the film are exactly what the world needs right now.
Conclusion
Overall, Fantastic Four: First Steps has been met with a mix of praise and constructive criticism. While some see it as a promising new direction for Marvel, others believe it still has room for improvement. Regardless, the film has sparked renewed interest in the Fantastic Four and may signal a shift in how Marvel approaches its superhero stories. The film is now showing in UK cinemas, and audiences are eager to see where this new chapter will take the franchise.
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