Set in the 1960s, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces the first-ever heroes from Marvel Comics in their greatest battle yet. After being mutated by cosmic rays during a space mission, four brave scientists turned into heroes, and Earth’s protectors. But now they face a choice that seems impossible to make.
Comic book fans have been longing for a new adaptation of the Fantastic Four. Despite a few attempts at bringing the first family of the Marvel universe to the screen, previous efforts have either missed the mark, or haven’t held up to scrutiny. Can the Marvel Cinematic Universe turn the tables with The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
What is The Fantastic Four: First Steps about?
In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the titular team have been heroes for a while. They’re practically celebrities, with hordes of fans clamoring to see them. They haven’t just protected Earth; they’ve made significant changes for good.
The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / the Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch.
Eschewing an origin story, the film takes place at the start of a new adventure for the first family. But what should be a happy celebration soon takes a turn when Earth is threatened by the arrival of the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Worse, she heralds the coming of the world devourer Galactus (Ralph Ineson). They might be superbeings, but even the Fantastic Four has limits. The battle this time around is more than just brute force; this one’s about the heart.
Writers Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer tone down the grandiloquence of the Fantastic Four’s introduction with a story that concentrates on family life, and personal stakes. Bookended by stunning action scenes, the film is a more measured look at what saving the world entails—it’s not always clobbering time.
A gorgeous world to look at
Director Matt Shakman and the production team paint a vivid picture of the world of the Fantastic Four. The retro-futuristic aesthetics are stunning to look at. Sweeping shots of the city coupled with the interiors of the Fantastic Four’s headquarters, immerses the viewer thoroughly. It feels like stepping into a beautiful version of the ‘60s in the US.
The cinematography, the costumes, the sets, and the props are unlike any we’ve seen in the MCU before. Herbie the robot looks as real as the characters, and the characters interact with him in a believable way.
The special effects enable one’s suspension of disbelief. This is the best rendering of Mister Fantastic’s stretching powers yet. But what will have most viewers in awe is the design of Galactus. He truly has to be seen to be believed.
Unfortunately, that can only take a story so far.
Sue Storm deserves better
There were no female creatives in the making of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and that oversight is plain in how Sue Storm is written in the film. Her entire narrative—in fact, her whole personality—is tied to her domestic life. Some focus on her role as a wife and mother is understandable; but she’s the only Fantastic Four member who has no arc outside it.
Reed gets to be a genius, attempting to make breakthroughs to save the world. Johnny personally takes on a technical mission to help them in their upcoming battle. Even Ben, who is given almost as little to do as Sue, tries to build a bond with new people. Though we learn about some of Sue’s work, her direct contribution to the team, and this particular mission, is non-existent.
Despite Kirby emoting her face off, she spends far too many scenes without any dialogue. Sue gets a couple of grandiose moments, but when looked at as a whole, the treatment of the character in The Fantastic Four: First Steps has made little progress since the hero’s first big screen adaptation in Fantastic Four 20 years ago.