Phil Roberts 
While it may be too concise at times and lacking in depth, The Fantastic Four: First Steps shines with its retro-stylish setting, strong family dynamics, and excellent casting.
After three lackluster attempts to bring Marvel’s First Family to our screens, this week Marvel Studios releases The Fantastic Four: First Steps. With its all-star cast, gorgeous retro-sixties-futuristic setting, family-focused narrative, and bombastic soundtrack, the film appears to be on course to deliver the first comic-book-accurate interpretation. With WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman behind the camera, the film is on course to banish superhero fatigue once and for all and deliver the movie the fans crave. But can the director truly bring it all together? Or is The Fantastic Four doomed to repeat the sins of the past?
REVIEW
Fear not, Marvel fans, because The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a welcome return to form for the MCU. Although it’s far too concise for its own good and occasionally lacks depth, the film excels with its retro-stylistic setting, family dynamic, and brilliant casting. Michael Giacchino’s expertly crafted score transcends time to deliver a truly exceptional and wonderfully contemporary throwback soundtrack, and the cinematography ensures the film is one of the richest, visually stunning additions to the MCU. This is a way overdue fresh take on the Marvel Universe, and the film excels as a result. If this is the way Marvel produces movies in the future, fans can look forward to some incredible films moving along the assembly line.
Marvel’s first family is BACK!
THE PLOT
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet.
MARVEL’S FIRST FAMILY
Despite its generalised synopsis, The Fantastic Four is a film about family. The decision to cast Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing, respectively, has proven to be a masterstroke. Right from the opening moments, their chemistry is off the charts, and their rapport is instantly believable. More importantly, we are instantly invested in them; we support their heroic efforts, applaud their good deeds, and are more than willing to sustain the pedestal the people of Earth put them on.
However, instead of being corny or cheesy, the family vibe is reflected by the characters. The Fantastic Four treat every member of the Earth as part of the family, and they are devoted to protecting us from any threat. This idyllic, peaceful world is wonderfully realized, revealing a world we would all love to live in.
RETRO-FUTURISTIC
This retro-futuristic world is a visual treat in its own right. As evidenced by the trailers, the aesthetic evokes a throwback to the sixties. Still, when you factor in technology like flying cars, levitating trains, and sleek skyscrapers, the world takes on a futuristic vibe. The balance shouldn’t work on paper, but it delivers an experience unlike anything we’ve seen from Marvel before. Indeed, we have become accustomed to the traditional format and aesthetic of the MCU as we know it. But Fantastic Four throws the rulebook out of the window and delivers something vibrant, fresh, and breathtaking. The world is visually stunning and offers the audience something fresh and incredibly layered to explore.
Even Mole Man’s Subterranea is explored in the film. Although his world is a subterranean landscape, the creative team behind the film has left no stone unturned to flesh out this world in rich and rewarding detail. Even many of the Fantastic 4’s traditional enemies are featured, and unlike previous outings in the MCU, they all get the credit they deserve.
VILLAINS
Obviously, the major villain roles in the film are occupied by Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. For the most part, Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer leads the charge in this outing, and Garner’s talent manages to shine through the chrome-covered exterior. Garner, to her credit, manages to imbue Shalla-Bal with genuine depth, which only adds weight to her narrative. Her acting chops lead to some genuinely poignant moments that will resonate with fans everywhere. But even she is upstaged by the colossal Galactus.
Although the villain has featured in various forms in previous outings, the character has never truly been done justice. Thankfully, Matt Shakman has finally delivered the definitive version of Galactus here. Long-term fans will be delighted to see the character from Jack Kirby’s masterwork brought to life with such conviction. Ralph Ineson owns this character and delivers a larger-than-life performance. Despite his minimal screentime, Ineson commands the screen and leaves you wanting more, which is the hallmark of an outstanding performance.
THE CAST
However, even the larger-than-life villains cannot compete with Marvel’s First Family. When they were first announced, the casting of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach raised a few eyebrows, even from some die-hard fans. But thankfully, any concerns I had about them were banished within moments of the immersive opening twenty minutes. Every character is perfectly cast, and every one of the Fab 4 brings their A-Game here. Vanessa Kirby is easily the standout of the bunch, but that is purely down to her incredible screen presence.
BEN AND JOHNNY
Pascal, Quinn, and Moss-Bachrach are equally colossal in the film. With a brilliantly crafted script by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, each family member really gets their moment to shine. The dynamic between Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm is a standout feature, showcasing a relationship that feels wonderfully authentic and well-developed. The connection and camaraderie among the characters are the most attractive aspects of the film, especially emphasized when Sue Storm gives birth to a son.
PATERNAL HEROES
The relationship between Sue Storm and Reed Richards is a central focal point in the film. When their son is born, they must balance their responsibilities as heroes with their roles as parents, which leads to some compelling discussions between them. More than just typical parental figures, Richards and Storm are confronted with challenges that no parent should have to face, yet they navigate these difficulties with remarkable grace. They confront the looming disaster head-on, not just as parents, but as a united family with all four members of the Fantastic Four standing side by side.
It is in these moments that the family is reaffirmed as the true leaders of the MCU. This is a family we can all rally behind and follow into the battle against Doctor Doom. And heaven help the Marvel Supervillian if he upsets this team.
DETRACTIONS
Sadly, the film isn’t entirely flawless; after all, no film is perfect, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps has its fair share of issues. Even though the film clocks in at an impressive 114 minutes, it is too concise for its own good. Once the film gains momentum, it never truly loses steam; however, the film manages to do Galactus a major disservice. Although Ralph Ineson delivers the definitive version of the character, the film spends very little time fleshing out his motives. By now, most Marvel fans are familiar with his origins, but the film fails to delve into them in any great detail.
After their first encounter, we learn that Galactus is a month away from making landfall on Earth, but this time frame is skipped over in seconds. After investing every other character with such depth and conviction, the failure to devote more attention to Galactus feels disappointing, and the character feels undercooked as a result.
The only other detraction in the film is the occasionally ropey CGI. For the most part, the computer-generated effects are flawless. But there are a few scenes where the effects are extremely unrefined. There is a sequence towards the film’s finale, where Sue and Reed’s child is carried through the streets, and the special effects are highly questionable. Not as bad as the baby in the microwave in The Flash, but it comes close.
MICHAEL GIACCHINO
Thankfully, the masterful soundtrack by Michael Giacchino makes up for any disappointment. Giacchino is now part of the furniture at Marvel, and his scores have become part of the fabric of the MCU. But for The Fantastic Four, the composer has delivered his finest Marvel score to date. More than just a soundtrack, Giaachino has crafted the sound of this world from the bottom up. From the retro television show themes to the lullaby H.E.R.B.I.E. sings to Baby Franklin, every aspect of this world has been furnished by Giacchino’s music, and the results are spectacular.
VERDICT
Overall, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a spectacular return to form for Marvel Studios. From its incredible cast, to its stunning performances, the colossal soundtrack, and the visual splendour of the cinematography, the film is unlike any Marvel effort to date. This fresh approach sets the film apart from the rest and banishes the lackluster entries of the past few years. If this is the formula Marvel intends to use moving forward, fans can look forward to some spectacular movies in the next few years.
Despite its flaws, the film has delivered the quintessential version of Marvel’s first family and their lifelong nemesis. With its wonderfully rich retro-sixties-futuristic setting, punchy screenplay, and breathtaking soundtrack, The MCU is back on track. Matt Shakman may not have set out to reinvent the Marvel formula, but he has, spectacularly. So, book your tickets and join the family for some Clobberin’ Time!
Flame on!
The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings Marvel’s first family to cinemas on July 24th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
