Review: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Introduces A Wonderful, Colorful World
by Erik Amaya
As promised, The Fantastic Four: First Steps — the latest film from Marvel Studios — transports the viewer to a wonderful, colorful world where 1960s optimism isn’t just a memory, but the operating philosophy of the entire planet. Which isn’t to say there is a lack of adversity. In fact, the film centers on this version of the team’s first true opponent: Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the gravity of the situation pivots the world in almost the same way the presence of four superheroes did and continues to do on Earth-828.
That designation is important. It’s Jack Kirby‘s birthday and the film acknowledges his key contributions to the concept in a number of ways: shots recreating covers, the overall ’60s vibe, and the characters themselves — although they are definitely informed by the 60+ years of storytelling since Kirby and Stan Lee first changed Marvel’s fortunes with their First Family. One example: Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) has larger concerns than getting a new hairdo to impress Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal). On Earth-828, the Four have successfully de-armed most of the world with Sue acting as the leader of the Future Foundation, that reality’s replacement for the United Nations. It definitely seems more effective than that body in our own world or, indeed, the mainstream Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is one of the key science fiction ideas in the film that not only moves by at the speed of a Kirby-drawn page, but may leave the viewer misty-eyed with the thought of what could be.
The same can be said for the retro-future New York presented in the film. Monorails support the public transit system, a grand spaceship dominates the view of the East River. The skyline itself is dotted with spheroid towers and spires to reflect that hope of progress we all dimly recall as a feature of the ’60s optimism. And it looks great. Director Matt Shakman and his team did a great job realizing a world in which just four people could move it toward the better.
Indeed, that is the overall message of the film, but more on that later.
As everyone always knew, the Fantastic Four needed to be presented in this milieu to make the most sense. The characters definitely benefit as Sue becomes a feminist icon without ever saying the word, Reed’s dedication to his work takes on a guilty conscience, Johnny (Joseph Quinn) gets to do something smart, and the ever-lovin’, blue-eyed Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) … well, he gets to visit Yancy Street and meet someone who is not Alicia Masters.
Despite the greater character depth, the film seems to recognize that only two of the four can be leads, hence the film centers the impending birth of Sue and Reed’s child as an emotional anchor. The film does a lot with it and considering the way the Four are meant to be Marvel’s First Family, it makes sense. Although, we imagine viewers who want to see more Kirby-esque action may find this focus a little less appealing.
For them, though, the film features a fairly accurate depiction of Galactus, the best Thing ever committed to the big screen, a FTL chase that looks great, and a Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) who might not be Norrin Radd, but still capable of holding her own in a Power Cosmic-fueled battle. Outside of one shot of the Thing on Yancy Street, the effects are quite good. Although, it should be noted Shakman and his crew solved the problem of Mr. Fantastic’s powers by de-emphasizing them. Reed stretches, to be sure, but his ability is far less important than his intellect and, thus, stretching never gets so much focus that you must confront how uncanny it can look in live action. And that’s considering he uses his power a lot in the final act.
In fact, the film does a great job making each of the team’s abilities more matter-of-fact than a cause for spectacle. Instead, it relies more on the strengths of each character as a character to propel things. The problems they face, as a consequence, have more weight and the end-of-the-world stakes feel palpable in a way they haven’t since Avengers: Endgame. It probably helps that the Coming of Galactus is one of the best superhero stories ever devised. But the film only uses that Stan-and-Jack classic as a spine. What Shakman and the writing team — which includes Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman and story writer Kat Wood — do with Galactus’s impending arrival make the film far more satisfying than it might otherwise be.
Which leads to the one great problem with the film: the team’s adventures will not continue in a Fantastic Four sequel, but in the next Avengers film. First Steps does such a great job in establishing the 1960s of Earth-828 that I would much rather spend more time there than see the characters meet up with the MCU regulars so quickly. Another quibble includes the under-utilization of Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman, an original character taking the place of Alicia Masters, and Sarah Niles as Future Foundation chief of staff Lynne Nichols. But these are fairly minor faults, especially when the movie makes sure to showcase H.E.R.B.I.E.
I’ll be genuinely surprise if he doesn’t take up a place next to Grogu as the number one, must have character in toys and t-shirts. Vocalized by Matthew Wood, he ends up becoming one of the most endearing aspects of the film — a shock for those who remember the robot as one of the more derided aspects of Fantastic Four lore.
But that’s the key thing about the film — it has fun with these idea and even when things get weighty, it finds the fun solution. It is a wonderful change of pace from the general vibe in our own universe and the perceived lack of direction within the MCU itself. As we teased earlier, the film has something to say: a small group of people can make a difference. And while it blows that up to the stakes of superheroes fighting a giant alien who wants to eat the planet, it still imparts the feeling that change can begin within a family, cross onto Yancy street, and sneak out into the world. The fact the Fantastic Four can approach that with such warmth and a sense of unity is more inspiring than seeing them in costume fighting Galactus.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters on Friday.