Smarts over brawn drive ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’

After an unreleased ’90s version, two so-so adaptations in the 2000s, and a disastrous 2015 reboot, it seems like the fourth time is the charm as the Fantastic Four finally makes their highly anticipated entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as they show viewers why they deserve to be called Marvel’s First Family.

Thanks to the multiverse concept, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” takes place in an alternate universe. Not having to maintain the continuity of the main MCU storyline (which is now going on its second decade) not only gives the franchise a fresh sandbox to play in, but also allows audiences, especially casual viewers, to enjoy a standalone story without needing to do homework before heading to the cinema.

The film is set on Earth-828, a ’60s retrofuturist world where analog technology is the standard. Instead of the Avengers, it’s the Fantastic Four who are the saviors of this Earth. Their heroic efforts after being exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission have turned them into super celebrities like The Beatles.

The team, consisting of Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), her brother Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm / The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), each has their share of devoted fans.

Skimming over their origin story, the film picks up four years after the world became familiar with the superhero family. They now face a new threat: Galactus (Ralph Ineson), who devours planets marked by his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

Along the way, Reed and Sue are expecting a baby, who may play a key role in the Earth’s salvation or destruction.

Here, the Fantastic Four proves that their superpowers aren’t what make them strong; it’s their intelligence and unity that give them the edge. Together, they must find a way to save their world from Galactus while protecting the future of their family.

We already knew most of the Fantastic Four were brilliant, so it’s refreshing that the film ensures Sue’s cocky brother Johnny Storm is also portrayed as smart in his own way. After all, they were astronauts to begin with.

This unique take on the Human Torch gives Quinn a far more interesting and nuanced role than previous versions played by Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan, while still retaining the humor and suave that made the character a fan favorite among Marvel fans.

Meanwhile, Kirby’s Invisible Woman feels both familiar and fresh. She brings a balance of softness and firmness as Sue that adds to the film’s emotional depth and makes her one of the strongest female characters the MCU has introduced.

The film doesn’t shy away from exploring the moral ambiguity of Reed Richards in the name of science and saving the world. Yet, it softens this with Reed’s unique emotional vulnerability, a balance Pascal captures perfectly that adds to the compelling conflict.

However, it’s a sore point that The Thing feels the most underdeveloped among the four, as his arc doesn’t significantly affect the larger story. Backed by Moss-Bachrach’s relatably vulnerable performance, we see him respected rather than treated as an outcast with his orange, rocky appearance, and we get a glimpse of how he stays connected to his Jewish background. Still, both casual viewers and MCU fans agree he deserved more screen time. Thankfully, his classic rivalry and banter with Johnny help make up for this flaw.

This time around, Silver Surfer (a.k.a. Shalla-Bal) and Galactus escape the MCU’s common criticism of “overpowered yet bland” villains as both are compelling for different reasons.

Galactus is menacing thanks in part to Ineson’s deep voice. But he’s also given a backstory that helps viewers understand why his planet-devouring ways may not be purely evil. This contrasts with Thanos’ modus, whose genocidal plan to wipe out half the universe’s population was fundamentally flawed and short-sighted.

Silver Surfer is just as threatening as she is cool. Garner gives Shalla-Bal a dynamic presence with her fluid movement and sharp line delivery. A standout moment comes when she proclaims to Earth, “I herald his beginning, I herald his end, I herald…Galactus,” a line that has already become the internet’s new favorite soundbite.

The script, written by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, presents a wealth of great ideas for the Fantastic Four’s MCU debut. By setting the story outside the main MCU timeline, the writers had room to craft memorable worldbuilding with a unique aesthetic, complemented by sharp and well-crafted dialogue.

That’s why it’s especially frustrating that the final cut runs just one hour and 55 minutes. An additional 10 minutes could have helped flesh out The Thing’s character and expanded the sibling dynamic between Sue and Johnny.

Also noticeable is the limited depiction of Mister Fantastic’s stretching powers. While the other members frequently showcase their abilities, Reed’s powers are mostly reserved for key moments. It seems the MCU still hasn’t fully figured out how to portray flexible powers without straining its budget. Case in point: the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel” and the film “The Marvels” reimagined Kamala Khan’s abilities as glowing light constructs, rather than the stretchy powers she has in the comics.

Despite these issues, there is no better person to direct Marvel’s First Family than Matt Shakman. His experience with “WandaVision,” which also features a retro aesthetic and explores relatable dynamic themes about family, makes him a fitting choice to helm this reboot.

The cherry on top is Michael Giacchino’s fantastic score, which gives the MCU’s Fantastic Four a whimsical theme that perfectly suits the setting.

Many of the film’s issues may stem from possible studio interference, partly due to the public’s mixed response to recent MCU entries. If that’s the case, it’s unfortunate, as the film stands out as one of the franchise’s strongest in recent memory if they had just exerted a bit more faith in its script, which probably had more ideas that didn’t make it to the final cut.

Still, this depiction of the Fantastic Four is a far cry from the previous version (2015’s Fan4stic), which was filled with CGI slop and muddy cinematography. Its positive reception from critics, casual audiences, hardcore MCU fans, and strong box office numbers all prove its success and that the Fantastic Four are here to stay on our screens for years to come.

After years of trial and error, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” finally gives Marvel’s First Family the grand big screen treatment they deserve. With a strong, heartfelt story about family, ‘60s-inspired worldbuilding, brilliant scoring, and stellar character dynamics backed by great performances, it earns its fitting rating. Four stars out of five. Here’s hoping that Reed and Sue’s baby can help bump the sequel up to five.