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Even die-hard Marvel fans can’t get excited about The Fantastic Four: First Steps – but surprised critics are giving it 5-stars and say it’s funny, clever and even quite moving!

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Verdict: Relentlessly daft, but these retro heroes are super-fun 

Revisiting a resurrected Marvel superhero series may not rank high on your wish list, it could almost be at the very bottom.

However, let me clarify. The movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” might not spark ecstatic reactions from dedicated Marvel enthusiasts, but its charmingly nostalgic vibe is almost reminiscent of comic book exclamations like ‘Pow!’ and ‘Zap!’.

Despite some questionable special effects that might be intentionally rough, and an undeniably absurd storyline, it’s delightfully straightforward to understand.

Fundamentally, this narrative revolves around a timeless motif: a mother’s relentless, unyielding affection.

In real life, Vanessa Kirby embodies an authentically and quintessentially English charm, being born in Wimbledon. Yet, she skillfully adopts an immaculate American accent for the character of Dr Susan Storm, the astronaut who regained Earth after a cosmic storm altered her DNA, as cosmic storms often do.

Embarking on that unforgettable cosmic adventure was none other than myself, alongside the genius scientist husband Reed Richards, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, my adored brother Johnny, brilliantly played by Joseph Quinn, and our loyal friend Ben Grimm, brought to life by Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Up there, they each acquired extraordinary powers, which allowed them to morph into characters such as Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch, and The Thing whenever necessary.

Mister Fantastic might have received the least desirable superpower (he’s incredibly elastic), but unfortunately, poor Ben Grimm was saddled with a less-than-attractive name, and let’s not forget his troublesome skin condition. Being composed entirely of stone, he’s far from aesthetically pleasing. On the bright side, he possesses incredible strength and has a unique catchphrase – “It’s clobbering time!” – which longtime comic book fans will recognize as classic.

The quartet reside communally in an eclectic mix reminiscent of 1960s Manhattan, characterized by styles that echo “Mad Men,” yet without the prevalence of smoking, and with conversations devoid of discussions on civil rights.

As a devoted supporter, I acknowledge that they possess an impressive arsenal to safeguard New Yorkers against ruthless gangs. Yet, they too grapple with the complexities and challenges that come with living in our globalized world.

In the story, Reed and Sue have been striving for two years to have a child, something one might assume would come easily to a couple with extraordinary powers. However, they faced no success until now. At the beginning of the movie, joyfully, Sue discovers she’s pregnant. Shortly after, there’s an adorable baby in their lives. The delivery scene isn’t shown, perhaps for the best, considering explaining a superhero to push might be a bit challenging.

In no time at all, an extraterrestrial messenger with a silvery complexion shows up on a high-speed, silver surfboard. Unfortunately, this visit isn’t pleasant news – a colossal threat called Galactus, known for consuming planets across the cosmos, has singled out Earth as his next meal. The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) delivers the grim message to the Fantastic Four: ‘Your world is now targeted for destruction.’

On the other hand, Reed and Sue have a possible escape option. If they give up their adorable son, Galactus might shift his destructive focus elsewhere. He believes that, being the offspring of Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic, the child may possess abilities that could aid him in conquering everything without limit. This isn’t an unreasonable assumption on his part.

Just as reasonably, and despite mounting public pressure, Sue will not countenance the idea.

She firmly asserts, ‘I won’t prioritize my child over the world, yet I won’t disregard the world for my child.’ This statement appears to draw inspiration from JFK’s 1961 inaugural address: ‘Don’t ask what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.’

Nonetheless, a fierce conflict breaks out as our champions strive to outmaneuver Galactus, though this struggle unfortunately results in vast areas of Manhattan being flattened beneath his rampage.

The film is consistently silly yet always captivating, and far superior to the disappointing 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four. The retro vibe fits well, and so does the portrayal of motherhood, leaving us with a comforting message that Sue Storm puts her role as a mother before being a superhero, which is just as it ought to be.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is in cinemas now

 

Matthew Bond reviews The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Even when you might’ve grown accustomed to the constant flow of Marvel movies (numbering 36 and more), The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears, leaving you momentarily astonished. Ignore the fact that it’s the third rendition of these comic-book heroes within two decades; this one is undoubtedly superior and exceptionally enjoyable.

The story unfolds in an enticing, retro-futuristic portrayal of early 1960s New York City, where the future was envisioned as vibrant, sleek, and frequently spherical. The impressive production design alone warrants recognition, even awards. Despite being a world filled with cassette tapes, vinyl records, and cathode-ray-tube televisions, it’s also a realm where four groundbreaking astronauts have been metamorphosed into superheroes by a cosmic storm, and they now dock their stunning spacecraft in the East River.

In this recent version, it’s become common to call the characters by their real names instead of their superhero aliases – Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), her brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Reed’s friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) rather than their comic book personas.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news about the dynamic quartet we know as the Fantastic Four. While it might be disappointing for enthusiasts of the elastically extraordinary Mr. Fantastic, let’s not forget that this development is indeed a breath of fresh air for the mineral-muscled Grimm, whose moniker, “The Thing,” seems rather insensitive in today’s context. Rest assured, the team has arrived on the scene with Pascal and Kirby’s stylish direction steering both the film and the team in a captivating manner.

First, Sue finds out she’s pregnant at last, but before Reed could even start investigating if the baby might have superpowers, Earth encounters more urgent threats. Suddenly, a female Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner and hailing from the cosmos, appears. She is both mysterious and potentially nude in this adaptation. This Silver Surfer delivers a grim prophecy of an impending disaster. Could the Fantastic Four manage to avert catastrophe for our entire planet?

What follows is amusing, thoughtfully designed, and surprisingly touching. It’s a joy to behold from start to finish, and director Matt Shakman, who honed his skills on Marvel’s WandaVision TV series, can justifiably take pride in. This turns out to be one of the pleasant surprises of the summer season.

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2025-07-24 19:50

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