Welcome to Phase 6 of the MCU, Marvel fans. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is finally here, with impeccable visuals that feel like a hymn to Jack Kirby’s original vision for this universe and its characters. From the opening credits sequence to the film’s retrofuturistic style to the immersive deep space scenes, the imagery is vividly brought to life, directly from the pages of the Galactus comic book trilogy from the mid-’60s and the Hanna-Barbera TV cartoon Kirby worked on during the ’70s.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps officially hits theaters on July 25 as a prerequisite-free story set on Earth-828. Heavy on the sci-fi and tender family dynamic, the film gives us just a little something different in a genre that coasts on the fate-of-the-world-hinges-on-the-decisions-of-its-heroes trope. Kevin Feige has made a point of reminding us that Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ben Grimm/Thing, and Johnny Storm/Torch are Marvel’s First Family, and this movie delivers on the authenticity of their bond, making this a fun — though sometimes imperfect — watch. They are connected. And Galactus and the Silver Surfer are treats for comic book fans who worried about their live-action rendering.
Serving as an introduction to the Four, the film opens with married couple Reed and Sue having a very human, very everyday conversation in their bathroom, where the pair shares a sweet moment about Sue’s new pregnancy. Pedro Pascal is a mature and thoughtful Reed whose combination of scientific genius and a guilty conscience makes him more than the stoic character he’s typically known to be. Vanessa Kirby plays a confident and emotionally intelligent Sue, who’s equal parts sister, wife and kick-ass superpowered astronaut/mama bear. Once Johnny (Joseph Quinn) and Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) learn the baby news, it’s clear this is a family that loves and protects one another. First Family also means family first.
Establishing the family’s stakes is core to the narrative, because when Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer drops down to Earth to “herald” Galactus’ “beginning” and mark the planet for death by this “universal force as essential as the stars,” the Four are — and should be — alarmed: What does that mean for the world, its designated protectors and the baby?
Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, aka Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
No one knows much about Galactus, and the audience is along for the ride as the team works to figure things out. You’ve undoubtedly heard some references to The Jetsons, and the technology in this movie — and H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot — is intriguing and used to tackle mundane problems and harder stuff like learning about the universe and Galactus. No, it’s not like what you’ve seen in Wakanda or Loki, and the ’60s vibes allow for some cool gadgets and the First Family’s vehicle. This version of New York City and the rest of the planet is excitingly unlike anything we’ve seen in the MCU, and you’ll appreciate that.
Though the Fantastic Four’s backstory is quickly highlighted through vibrant flashbacks and discussions about how they obtained their abilities on a mission gone wrong, it’s not clear if there were any global threats and villains (like Red Ghost) before they became superheroes and Earth’s assigned guardians. That’s a sticky bit for me. What is evident, however, is that they’ve never encountered anyone like Galactus, and he’s frightening enough to warrant an emergency trip back to space.
It’s a trip worth taking for viewers. The sights and sounds of the cosmos are abundant and beautiful, and honestly, my favorite scenes in the film are in space. The traveling through wormholes and stars in this MCU story felt immersive, and the Four’s attempt to reason with a planet-eating god sees them stepping into his turf. It’s vast, eerie and beautiful. And the first shot of Galactus is both colossal and comic-book accurate. Their first meeting doesn’t go as one would hope, and things get urgent when Sue and Reed refuse to hand over their child in exchange for sparing the planet. A cascade of lively action sequences soon follows.
Watching the Human Torch set things on fire and the whole gang take on Silver Surfer — in outer space — not only gives us a taste of the danger they face, but also lets each character shine as part of a family of intelligent superhumans who care deeply about one another. The Invisible Woman and the Silver Surfer are not to be toyed with, and you will know that.
But what about Sue and Reed’s decision not to give up their baby to save the world? Is it selfish? Is it right or wise?
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm.
It’s nice to see heroes admit that they don’t know how they’re going to handle impending doom — the possibility that the world will be obliterated. Like every other human on Earth, Reed and Sue want themselves and their baby to be healthy and safe. Everyone is on edge, and for a while, you’re on edge, too. Science and cooperation underscore the events leading up to the film’s climax and battle of battles.
What we know is that Galactus wants to snack on the planet, and this is next on the list. We still don’t learn much about his origins or motivations, but it serves as the great big bad for this story and gives these charismatic, heart-first heroes a chance to show off their powers and humanity.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a safe, PG-13 movie that the whole family can watch. It doesn’t serve up the levels of violence, sadness or dread we’ve experienced in releases like Daredevil, Guardians of the Galaxy or Multiverse of Madness. Though the plot sometimes ventures into predictability, the retro aesthetic set in a world separate from the saga of Earth-616 is a welcome and solid addition to the MCU that helps chart the way for what’s to come in Phase 6. Make sure to watch the post-credits scenes for some more Marvel hints and Easter eggs.
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