I know that I am extremely late to the review party, but I believe that this film is worth visiting still. Over the years, we have seen two different filmmakers attempt to crack the formula that is the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s First Family. On paper, it doesn’t seem like this would be a difficult task. However, it has proven impossible, until now at least. With Marvel Studios getting the rights back to the Fantastic Four with their acquisition of 20th Century Fox a couple of years ago, it was only a matter of time for us to get their own take on these iconic heroes. I can safely say that they have made the impossible possible with the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps. Let’s dive in.

For those who don’t know, Fantastic Four: First Steps is a story about a group of astronauts who come back after an accident with superpowers. Over the years, these new heroes have used their powers to make the world a better place and garner massive amounts of influence. After a mysterious herald announces the end of the world, the Fantastic Four are thrown into their greatest challenge as they must face the planet devourer known as Galactus. When an unusual bargain is brought to the Fantastic Four, they must decide what they will sacrifice in the name of family. Will this family stick together and save the Earth, or will the threat of Galactus tear them apart in a way that cannot be repaired?

The first thing that is easy to see but has to be talked about is the phenomenal aesthetic of the world in which the Fantastic Four live in. Taking place in a separate universe from the primary one used by Marvel Studios, this world captures what people imagined the future would look like in the 1960s. From the tech to the buildings to the clothing, everything seems both stuck in time and futuristic in an organic way. My personal favorite part of this is the spaceship that the Fantastic Four use during the film, as it seems something straight out of a pre-Star Trek science fiction show. Everything is a perfect blend of the past and the future as you have flying cars intersecting with retro looking television sets straight out of the 1960s and 1970s. 

As for the cream of the crop for this film, the dynamic of Marvel’s First Family is the central draw. Pedro Pascal does a great job at playing Reed Richards as the team leader and genius of the squad. Oftentimes this puts him in awkward situations with both the public and his family, but he always finds a way to make things better through a variety of ways. Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm was a character that I did not expect to enjoy nearly as much as I did. He constantly surprises through his warming charm and odd intelligence. Both of these come together quite well to create one of the most pivotal scenes in the film that gave me goosebumps.

Bachrach is quite nice as Ben Grimm. While he doesn’t get as much to do compared to the others, he does manage to have some amazing banter with the rest of the Fantastic Four. It is also nice to finally see a version of The Thing that is loved by the public and generally is not haunted by the horrific changes that happened due to his new powers. The heart of this team is definitely Sue Storm, played by the stunning Vanessa Kirby. While the other attempts at The Invisible Woman never felt fully completed, this character is written and executed in a way that makes her feel more dynamic than ever. There is also quite a bit of rage that comes from her that really fascinates me on where they plan to take the character.

Overall, I find that Fantastic Four: First Steps is a wonderful new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and by far the best Fantastic Four film that we have gotten so far! While this is a late addition to the universe, given that Avengers: Doomsday is one of the next films around the corner, I look forward to seeing how this new family interacts with the characters we already love and know. If the quality of Thunderbolts* and this movie are any indication, I bet it is going to be fantastic! What films from the summer were your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! If you are looking for a film that everyone should see, check out my review of The Life of Chuck right here. 

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps

0.00

8

Score

8.0/10

Pros

• Phenomenal Set Design
• Fantastic Call Backs to Comics
• Amazing Chemistry
• The Best Galactus

Cons

• Some Characters Don't Get as Much Love as Others