Speeding past the origin story, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ begins in medias res, four years after the team has gained their superpowers. They are now celebrated as global icons for all the good they’ve done. The film is set in Earth-828, a different universe from that of the MCU with The Avengers, and here they are the only heroes of this world. They are public figures and through a quick documentary feature very similar to the ones shown on the trailers, we get to know Marvel’s first family.
Director Matt Shakman and screenwriters Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer (from a story by Pearson, Kaplan, Springer, and Kat Wood) spend the first twenty minutes introducing us to the heroes and this brand-new world. It seems through the genius of Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic, the world appears to be thriving. There’s a sleek, retro 1960s aesthetic to the technology and there’s a throwback in fashion and social norms. The film never mentions the year but it’s as if the ’60s found itself with superheroes with flying cars, and robots.
The first twenty minutes or so are crucial, as they show the tight-knit family dynamic in action. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and his wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) discover that she’s pregnant and the news brings out big emotions. Sue’s brother, Johnny (Joseph Quinn), and Reed’s best friend, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), are excited to be uncles. Reed, on the other hand, is panicking. The cosmic storm they passed through when the four of them went on a mission to space four years ago altered their DNA and gave them powers. What effect might it have on their unborn child?
As Reed prepares for the worst, the rest of the world celebrates until the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives and declares that the planet was chosen to be devoured by Galactus (Ralph Ineson). The world waits in bated breath and looks to the Fantastic Four to save them. But Galactus is a powerful being that predates time. Can they really stop him?
Everything about ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ feels epic in both scope and scale. From Jess Hall’s incredible cinematography (I think the whole film is on IMAX, which means the best way to see it is on IMAX if you can afford it) and Michael Giacchino’s vibrant musical score, the movie feels big and important. It’s a hard-science fiction film that bends the genres, seamlessly switching from a family drama to an action-packed superhero movie to a commentary on how people can quickly turn on their heroes.
In this world, The Fantastic Four are the only hope the world has and they have a pretty direct line to them. The world is a huge part of this equation and by playing this off, The Fantastic Four somehow becomes symbolic of any person who comes forward to make positive changes; and they carry the burden of the world on their shoulders. If they succeed, they are loved. If they fail, they are persecuted and blamed.
The pacing of the film is relentless. Something is always happening, a choice needs to be made, a discovery is just around the corner, and a world slowly awaiting its demise. The film never lets up, and it’s a shame because this world is so rich and the characters so fully realised – both in the writing and in the performances – that I would have wanted another thirty minutes, even an hour of this movie to play out some of the narrative beats. At 114 minutes, it’s compact, but it speeds through certain moments that could have used a bit more drawing out.
But it has everything. It goes to space. As seen in the trailer, Galactus makes it to Earth, and buildings are destroyed, and The Fantastic Four work together and team up to do their best to win. The finale is breathtaking and it always leaves you at the edge of your seat. It has some stunning sci-fi imagery both in space and in the final battle that can really move you. Each character gets a moment to really shine, and every actor is bringing their A-game and it just makes the movie so an absolute thrill to watch.
This was such a fun movie to get into so much so that I wanted more of it. I wasn’t satisfied with just 114-minute runtime. I wanted more. I can’t wait for more. And with the post-credit scene (there are two at the end of the film) that they give us, it had the whole cinema screaming.
My Rating:
Catch The Fantastic Four: First Steps now in cinemas and experience the epic beginning of Marvel’s first family on the big screen. Don’t miss it! Get showtimes and buy tickets here.
