No homework required!
Two credits scenes* (I mean not really, the mid credits scene is definitely a set-up for Avengers: Doomsday but the end credits scene is really absolutely nothing and features no actual characters)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is finally here. After three false starts over two decades and two studios with these characters we finally have a film that feels right. Now for starters, what this film immediately gets right that I felt it’s previous attempts never quite captured is that these characters are family and that is felt from the get go. Another thing you need to know going in is that this film is not a superhero movie. Well it is but not really. Like how Logan (2017) is more a western film, or how The Batman (2022) is a noir detective film, The Fantastic Four First Steps is a dramedy with sci-fi elements. This film has very few action sequences and showcases that this team are more scientists than superheroes.
We finally did it Marvel, after two decades of making films and TV in a shared continuity we finally have a movie with absolutely zero ties to previous works. For the first time in well over a decade of projects this is the first Marvel film that if someone who has seen every minute of the MCU sat next to someone who was watching this as their first experience, not only would the newbie be completely fine, both them and the MCU veteran are on even ground and man that’s so refreshing. This is similar to when Guardians of the Galaxy first came out in 2014, you could watch this film and not any other MCU project and be on equal levelling as the rest of the room.
Other than the fact this movie has zero mention of pre-existing MCU characters, this entire film is set in a not yet seen universe so the entire world and it’s characters feel like such a breeze of fresh air. Fantastic Four: First Steps feels like Marvel remembering that the first thing you need to do with each movie is not set up the next one, but make the current one a good one and for the most part that’s what this does.
There’s a lot about this film I love, and a fair bit of things that did need improvement, but for a summer blockbuster you’re being fed a good time. The core cast of Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben are all phenomenal, even Pedro who I’ll admit I was enormously against playing Reed Richards sells it. The first time he spews some science jargon I felt uncomfortable, that’s not Pedro, but after 10 minutes it felt like a fit and I am happy to be wrong. Ben and Johnny, as played by Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, are also superb and are perfect embodiments of their comic counterparts. But the scene stealer of this film is hands down Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. By the end of the film, this felt primarily like her movie.
Without getting too much into details, the main villain of this movie was a mixed bag for me. This was the first time in a very long time a villains introductions on screen genuinely sent chills down my spine. The first glimpse of them on screen was shot, lit, and had a chilling sound scape behind it that just gave a sense of pure unadulterated dread. The pure scale of them thrust me into a very quick sense of existential dread. But towards the films end, the villain for me personally lost a bit of gravitas, the more I saw of them the less I felt threatened. Don’t get me wrong Ralph Ineson was a stellar voice for the role, but the villain for the most part has extremely little to do with the film which makes sense in the larger story but by the end of the film it felt a little underwhelming. But as what seems to be a trend with the Fantastic Four property, the Herald always seems to outshine its master. Julia Garner, who played Shalla-Bal, this universes Silver Surfer played the character with genuine intimidation and layered nuance.
But what really makes this film stand out is its visuals and music. This might just be the most beautiful MCU film, it has a certain retro futuristic vibe that makes it feel both nostalgic of simpler times but more advanced than our own world. The CGI, apart from one or two shots, is also very well executed, the team all use their powers in spades and no moment feels too strange or unrealistic. Arguably the only shots of CGI that felt fake was when an actor was definitely running on a treadmill in front of green screen. The score by Michael Giacchino is as always phenomenal, the man has composed some of the best modern compositions and the fun, scientific, and campy tunes that come along with this film were a delight.
Overall, The Fantastic Four: First Steps continues on from one of the main things that made me love Thunderbolts* which released earlier this year, it’s slower than previous films and allows the audience to actually spend some more personal time with its cast of characters. I know that just because I appreciate slower and less just punch heavy films is what I want it might not be what everyone wants. But personally knowing that Marvel is attempting to allow it’s writers and cast to sit with their characters and not just rush to the next set piece is something I’ll always encourage. Yes this movie has little action, but one untraditional action set piece towards the middle of the film might just be one of my favourite in the MCU as it emphasised the characters intelligence over brawn. It definitely could’ve benefitted from giving its villains more to do, overall though it nails Marvel’s First Family and is a refreshing departure from a universe that requires so much homework to keep up with.
Fantastic Four: First Steps: 8.0/10
