Movies

Sorry, First Steps, But No Fantastic Four Movie Has Lived Up to The Incredibles

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After numerous attempts, it seems that the latest film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” has finally managed to deliver a satisfying Fantastic Four movie experience. Past endeavors to bring Marvel’s original team to the big screen – a Roger Corman film that never saw release, two mediocre films in the 2000s, and Josh Trank’s widely criticized 2015 production – all fell short. While “First Steps” is far from flawless, it represents the best shot we’ve had at a truly outstanding Fantastic Four movie thus far.

Actually, contrary to what you might think, it wasn’t truly the case that there hasn’t been a great Fantastic Four movie in recent times. Approximately two decades ago, an exceptional Fantastic Four film was released, though technically, it didn’t fall under the category of a Fantastic Four movie.

As a devoted fan, I’ve often pondered over the notion that Pixar’s 2004 gem, “The Incredibles,” bears an uncanny resemblance to the Fantastic Four. This theory, while not entirely novel, gains renewed interest following the spectacular return of the original quartet in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Both families share a commonality: they are all composed of four individuals with superhuman abilities. The Incredibles have one who can stretch, another capable of becoming invisible and creating forcefields, a strong one, and a speedster – Dash. In contrast, the Fantastic Four boast the Human Torch, a character absent from “The Incredibles.”

The dynamics between these families differ as well. The Incredibles revolve around two parents and their children, while the Fantastic Four are composed of a husband, his wife, his brother-in-law, and his friend. Despite these differences, the parallels in their super-powered lineups can’t be overlooked.

As a movie reviewer, I must say that Brad Bird, the mastermind behind Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” didn’t aim to create a veiled adaptation of the Fantastic Four. Instead, this film transcends its apparent influences, offering much more than just a reimagining of the iconic superhero team. The Fantastic Four, a household name among comic book enthusiasts, and even hints of the X-Men, James Bond-like espionage, and Alan Moore’s groundbreaking graphic novel, “Watchmen,” are undeniably present, yet the film goes beyond being a mere imitation.

It would be an injustice to label “The Incredibles” as a copycat of any specific superhero narrative, particularly given its release four years before the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s inception and the dawn of the modern era of cinematic superheroes we know today. Rather, it stands as a sweeping tribute to the genre, showcasing Bird’s unique vision and storytelling prowess.

It’s clear that the Fantastic Four are the most fitting comparison to the Incredibles. The creators of the 2005 Fantastic Four film felt this way, as they reportedly had to re-shoot the ending of their live-action movie due to concerns that The Incredibles had surpassed them. The movie First Steps appears to be taking inspiration from The Incredibles; it’s set in a part of the MCU’s multiverse that closely mirrors the stylish mid-century modern aesthetic of The Incredibles. Additionally, composer Michael Giacchino worked on both films and acknowledged in an interview that differentiating the two scores was a challenge for him.

The Incredibles serves as a hidden standard that the Fantastic Four films should strive to emulate, and it’s an exceptionally tough goal to achieve. Not only is it a strong contender for Pixar’s top film, The Incredibles offers a thrilling superhero journey while delving into family dynamics. Topics such as marital infidelity, evolving relationships, sibling rivalries, and parent-child conflicts are subtly explored. Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), longing for the excitement of crime-fighting, takes on a clandestine superhero role against his wife Elastigirl’s (Holly Hunter) wishes. When their employer, Syndrome (Jason Lee), is unmasked as a vengeful, rejected sidekick who aims to eliminate all superpowers except for his own, the family must join forces to save Mr. Incredible. The Incredibles stands out as an independent tale, with its sources of inspiration serving merely as influences rather than prerequisites for enjoyment. Knowledge of superhero fiction and a basic understanding of common themes are sufficient to appreciate The Incredibles, even if you approach it without any prior knowledge or expectations.

In contrast to “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which strives to function independently from the established Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this film is set in an alternate reality, with no shared characters, ongoing plotlines, or Easter eggs connecting it to the main MCU. Although the four superheroes – Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm (played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn) – will eventually join the Avengers in “Doomsday,” due out next year, this film does not involve any multiversal journeys. Instead, it follows these characters four years after they gained their powers, as they work together to save the planet (and Reed and Sue’s newborn son) from a destructive cosmic entity known as Galactus. The plot is more expansive than “The Incredibles” and, while some may argue that the execution could be improved, the focus is primarily on this family rather than the larger MCU.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the ominous shadow cast by the unresolved questions about the continuity of Fantastic Four within the MCU, hanging heavily over “First Steps.” The anticipation is almost suffocating, as this film strives to present a fresh, innovative take on the superhero genre. However, despite its efforts in aesthetics and marketing, “First Steps” seems to carry an air of strain, perhaps due to the immense pressure it faces – the Fantastic Four needs to be both excellent and commercially successful to revitalize the MCU after the conclusion of the Avengers saga. It’s a critical turning point for the world’s most prominent franchise, a superhero movie that aims to counteract the fatigue generated by the oversaturation of costumed heroes in films and pop culture. On the other hand, “The Incredibles” offers a refreshing breeze – a superhero film created before the genre reached total cinematic and cultural saturation. In contrast, Marvel Studios appears somewhat weary, playing catch-up in comparison to the creative peak of Pixar during its golden era.

First Steps” lies in its resemblance to another movie, specifically “The Incredibles.” Both movies share characters, visual aesthetics, themes, and even a similar musical score. However, while “First Steps” is facing a lot of pressure and criticism due to these similarities, “The Incredibles” stands as an unburdened masterpiece. Interestingly, they are both part of Disney’s collection, so you can stream them on Disney+ in the near future.

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2025-07-25 15:06

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