A new beginning in the nicest sense – a wonderful narrative with an excellent ensemble.
The story is set on Earth-828 and follows beloved heroes Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm as they work to make the planet safer and better. At the same time, Reed and Sue are preparing to welcome a new family member. But just as everything seems to go well, the Silver Surfer appears from orbit with a catastrophic message: the Earth will soon face destruction.
However, true to their name, the Fantastic Four refuse to give up their planet without a fight. They stand up against Galactus, the cosmic devourer of worlds (voiced by Ralph Ineson), who has set his eyes on Earth as his next meal, determined to protect their home and loved ones.
The 1960s retro-futuristic style of Fantastic Four: First Steps is a nod to many things, but mostly it’s about bringing Marvel’s first & founding family home to their strongest era (the Silver Age of comics) when Stan Lee & Jack Kirby revolutionized the superhero genre by providing a game-changing ‘found family’ dynamic that was far from ideal but extremely relatable.
In addition, they laid the framework for what would later become the Marvel Universe by introducing villains/characters like Dr. Doom, cosmic threats such as Galactus, the Silver Surfer and the Microverse. They also introduced dimensions and hidden places like Attilan, Wakanda and the Negative Zone. Black Panther even had DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) concepts that were decades ahead of their time, showcasing Marvel’s vision.
Given previous attempts to bring the Fantastic Four to the big screen, as well as the recent response to several MCU projects, Disney and Marvel Studios are clearly putting a lot of effort into making this one a major hit. Since this isn’t their first time using the Fantastic Four on screen, but it is Marvel Studios’ first with complete creative freedom.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The cast all shine in their own way. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards delivers another outstanding performance; his ability to fully inhabit each character he portrays is quite remarkable. Vanessa Kirby, however, is the ultimate favourite. She’s quickly becoming one of the MCU’s new queens, and her portrayal of Sue Storm is both powerful and inspirational. Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm is unexpectedly entertaining, charming and ferocious. In her own understated yet compelling way, Julia Garner’s performance as Shalla-Bal is the show-stopper.
This film is more than just a standalone. It is set to start off Phase Six of the MCU and lead directly into major events like Avengers: Doomsday. That is to say, it’s a cornerstone for the entire universe’s future rather than a one-time entry.
This emotionally packed and realistic MCU installment, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is a must-watch. It does not try to outperform previous superhero films in terms of noise or spectacle. Instead, it lays the groundwork for something deeper and more hopeful – exactly what the Fantastic Four deserved.
juni 
OPINION |
A new beginning in the nicest sense – a wonderful narrative with an excellent ensemble.
The story is set on Earth-828 and follows beloved heroes Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm as they work to make the planet safer and better. At the same time, Reed and Sue are preparing to welcome a new family member. But just as everything seems to go well, the Silver Surfer appears from orbit with a catastrophic message: the Earth will soon face destruction.
However, true to their name, the Fantastic Four refuse to give up their planet without a fight. They stand up against Galactus, the cosmic devourer of worlds (voiced by Ralph Ineson), who has set his eyes on Earth as his next meal, determined to protect their home and loved ones.
The 1960s retro-futuristic style of Fantastic Four: First Steps is a nod to many things, but mostly it’s about bringing Marvel’s first & founding family home to their strongest era (the Silver Age of comics) when Stan Lee & Jack Kirby revolutionized the superhero genre by providing a game-changing ‘found family’ dynamic that was far from ideal but extremely relatable.
In addition, they laid the framework for what would later become the Marvel Universe by introducing villains/characters like Dr. Doom, cosmic threats such as Galactus, the Silver Surfer and the Microverse. They also introduced dimensions and hidden places like Attilan, Wakanda and the Negative Zone. Black Panther even had DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) concepts that were decades ahead of their time, showcasing Marvel’s vision.
Given previous attempts to bring the Fantastic Four to the big screen, as well as the recent response to several MCU projects, Disney and Marvel Studios are clearly putting a lot of effort into making this one a major hit. Since this isn’t their first time using the Fantastic Four on screen, but it is Marvel Studios’ first with complete creative freedom.
The cast all shine in their own way. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards delivers another outstanding performance; his ability to fully inhabit each character he portrays is quite remarkable. Vanessa Kirby, however, is the ultimate favourite. She’s quickly becoming one of the MCU’s new queens, and her portrayal of Sue Storm is both powerful and inspirational. Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm is unexpectedly entertaining, charming and ferocious. In her own understated yet compelling way, Julia Garner’s performance as Shalla-Bal is the show-stopper.
This film is more than just a standalone. It is set to start off Phase Six of the MCU and lead directly into major events like Avengers: Doomsday. That is to say, it’s a cornerstone for the entire universe’s future rather than a one-time entry.
This emotionally packed and realistic MCU installment, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is a must-watch. It does not try to outperform previous superhero films in terms of noise or spectacle. Instead, it lays the groundwork for something deeper and more hopeful – exactly what the Fantastic Four deserved.
Rating: 8/10
Now showing in cinemas.
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