By: Quinn Que
The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks another attempt to bring Marvel’s “First Family” to the big screen. And while it succeeds in some areas where previous adaptations stumbled, it feels like another competent but unremarkable entry in the MCU catalog. The film may stand as a step in the right direction for both Marvel Studios and these iconic character, but it hasn’t quite achieved the superhero excellence that fans have been waiting for.
Set in a vibrant 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic parallel world in the Marvel multiverse, the story follows: team leader Reed Richards – Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm – the Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby); Johnny Storm – the Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm – The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they must defend Earth from ravenous space god Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic herald the Silver Surfer (Julie Garner).
Pedro Pascal does bring a lot to what is a challenging and multifaceted role as Richards, proving himself well cast after all. He balances vulnerability with leadership and plays the genius superhero with impressive layers. Vanessa Kirby also stands out as Sue, delivering a performance that shows both strength and delicacy. The film’s action sequences, particularly when Galactus shows up in New York, provide impressive spectacle if not always total satisfaction.
Director Matt Shakman, working from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, brings a visual flare to the material that feels fully distinct from previous Fantastic Four films and the larger MCU. The film feels polished, but perhaps almost too much so – kind of like a classic car that’s more fun to look at than actually drive.
Kid-friendly and intelligent enough without living a huge impact, The Fantastic Four: First Steps represents a decent fresh start. Though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Marvel’s best offerings, the film is buoyant and surprisingly brief, making it an acceptable entry point for newcomers while providing enough entertainment for longtime fans. It’s recommendable with tempered expectations. A solid superhero story that gets the job done, if not much else.