Fantastic Four: First Steps Review – A Solid But Not Revolutionary Marvel Comeback
Fantastic Four: First Steps has generated significant buzz – some hailed it as "Marvel's best project in years," while others warned against overhyping it. The truth lies somewhere in between. It's a stylish, entertaining production that delivers emotional moments but isn't without its flaws.
Retro-Futuristic Style and Visual Grandeur
The film's greatest strength is its aesthetic. Director Matt Shakman (known for WandaVision) opted for a retro-futuristic 1960s vision, filled with colorful Jetsons-like technology, cosmic set designs, and fashion that looks like it was designed by Stan Lee himself. This fresh approach stands out in the MCU, where most films drown in dull, gray CGI sludge. The special effects are top-notch, particularly in scenes featuring Galactus – unlike his "cloud-like" 2005 version, here he truly embodies a cosmic apocalypse.
Story: Simple but Heartfelt
This isn't another tedious origin story – First Steps presents an already-established team that has been working together for years. This is a smart move, avoiding repetitive tropes. The plot focuses on family dynamics and Earth's impending doom, with an intriguing subplot: Sue Storm's pregnancy. Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue, balancing superhero strength with maternal emotions. The absurd yet satisfying moment where she battles Galactus while heavily pregnant is a highlight.
However, not everything works perfectly. Silver Surfer (or rather, Shalla-Bal in this version) has immense potential, but her arc feels underdeveloped. A few beautiful shots, some melancholy, and a flirtation with Johnny – but no real depth. The finale is also disappointing: after building Galactus up as an unstoppable force, Sue simply... pushes him into a teleporter. No epic battle, no spectacular climax – just poof, gone. A missed opportunity.
Characters: Family Chemistry with Some Flaws
The team is well-cast, but not everyone gets equal attention:
Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) – The undisputed star. Intelligent, strong, and deeply emotional. Her relationship with Reed is the heart of the story.
Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) – Pascal delivers a solid performance, though he occasionally lacks the "nerdy awkwardness" from the comics. Still, his Reed has charm.
Ben Grimm / The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) – The most likable of the four, with great humor. Pity his backstory is barely touched upon.
Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) – Surprisingly tolerable for a character known for annoying quips. His chemistry with Shalla-Bal is a nice touch.
The biggest issue? Franklin, Sue and Reed’s baby. A child who can revive the dead and alter reality from birth is essentially a walking Deus Ex Machina. This creates a major problem for future films – how can there be real stakes when the team has an all-powerful toddler in their pocket?
Humor, Emotion, and a Lack of Truly Epic Moments
The film has charm – the family scenes are warm, the dialogue is witty (without excessive Marvel quips), and the parenting emotions hit hard. However, it lacks those monumental, jaw-dropping moments that define great superhero films. The action is good but not breathtaking, and the finale, as mentioned, falls flat.
Verdict: Good But Not Perfect
Fantastic Four: First Steps is a solid, stylish film that proves Marvel can still make movies with personality. It’s no masterpiece – some threads are underdeveloped, the ending is too soft, and Franklin’s existence raises future storytelling concerns. Still, it’s worth watching for Kirby’s stellar performance, the retro-futuristic vibe, and the team’s chemistry. 7/10 – good entertainment, but not a game-changer.
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