The Fantastic Four: First Steps

In the leadup AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY, Marvel needed a win. After years of box-office dominance and crowd-pleasing blockbusters, the MCU had reached a crucial juncture. While still massively popular, the brand had felt less and less like the juggernaut it once was. THUNDERBOLTS* was far better than the recent offerings from the DOCTOR STRANGE, ANT-MAN, THOR, and CAPTAIN AMERICA franchises, but it didn’t quite resonate with the masses in the way it was intended. This was somewhat predictable, given the cast of characters who were previously known for their supporting roles, but there was hope that it would at least provide a spark. While it certainly did so creatively, at the box-office it brought in $382 million worldwide, which fell far short of expectations.

Though hopes had been high with THUNDERBOLTS*, it was THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS that held all the cards. Standing as the most beloved franchise that had yet to have a stand-alone film in the MCU, fan interest and speculation had been building for years.

As this article goes to print, THE FANTASTIC FOUR is still making noise and is closing in on the $500 million mark worldwide. Had it not been for SUPERMAN, it is likely that the MCU adventure would have done even better, but the Man of Steel proved to be formidable.

Like SUPERMAN, THE FANTASTIC FOUR is not an origin story and the film is much better off because of it. Set in a retro-futuristic version of 1964, the Fantastic Four have already established themselves as the saviors and protectors of humanity. Astronauts Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) had been exposed to radiation in space while on a mission, and as a result, developed superhuman powers. They used their newfound abilities for good, battling bad guys and promoting peace throughout the world.

The film picks up four years after the group’s fateful journey into space. Sue is pregnant and life seems pretty darn good, that is, until the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) shows up. The mysterious being is the harbinger of some significantly terrible news. A planet-devouring entity known as Galactus is on its way, and Earth suddenly has an expiration date. The Surfer suggests that everyone enjoy the little time they have left because there is nothing that can be done to stop the inevitable.

FIRST STEPS was a tonal shift in style and structure than most of its MCU brethren. While it had doses of humor and a handful of excellent action sequences, it felt more story-driven and visually, the retro aesthetic showcased a nuance that hadn’t been explored previously. This is the third time the quartet of superheroes has been assembled on the big screen, and this ensemble was excellent. Their ability to work as a cohesive unit was imperative to the narrative success of the feature, and Garner’s unique iteration of the Surfer was spectacular. Unlike the rest of the banner-waving MCU leaders, the group’s abilities aren’t their most important traits. In fact, I’m not sure there is a film in the entire catalogue in which the heroes’ powers and abilities are LESS on display than they are here. It’s the ability to work together that proves to be their most important attribute. Their nemesis, Galactus, is a gargantuan whose mere existence is meant to instill unparalleled terror, and for the most part, at least visually, he does. While he never approaches the psychotic heights of Thanos, he is far more memorable than recent Marvel menaces, which also allows FIRST STEPS to be far more engaging than its recent predecessors.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS
GRADE: B

RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 1h 54min
GENRE: Space Sci-Fi, Superhero, Action, Adventure
STARRING:  Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach
DIRECTOR: Matt Shakman
Writers:  Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan

Brian Miller