You know how some films are just a total waste of money? Like that Superman flick that was a complete kryptoniteclunker? Well, let’s talk about something actually worth your time: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. This new Marvel movie brings back their original superhero family, and it’s got a charming retro vibe and real family warmth, even if the plot is stretched thinner than Mr. Fantastic’s limbs!
This film wisely ditches all the usual Marvel clutter for a cosy, old-fashioned alternate universe. Four years after a cosmic storm gave them powers, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are now celebrated heroes.
Reed, ever the worrier, is fretting because Sue’s pregnant. What if the baby is, gasp, a “cosmically compromised” space god?! Of course, a much bigger problem soon arrives: the Silver Surfer, warning them that Galactus, a planet eating giant, is on his way and hungry. The team tries to negotiate, but you can’t reason with a planet-eater, can you? They face a terrible choice: sacrifice their baby or watch their world be devoured.
Director Matt Shakman avoids convoluted introductions, trusting the cast’s chemistry to create an instant, familiar feel. The movie truly shines in the everyday scenes at their HQ Johnny and Ben bickering over spaghetti, or Ben trying to chisel his rocky beard. It feels like you’re hanging out with old friends, wrapped in delightful nostalgia, thanks to the amazing retro production design.
While the film hints at deeper emotional layers, they remain a bit underdeveloped, especially outside Reed and Sue’s baby worries. And yes, it still falls into the typical Marvel trap of big CGI city smashing finales, with action sequences that can feel as boring as watching a gasping lighter.
Despite its flaws, in a superhero genre that’s often lost its way, ‘First Steps’ offers a welcome stylistic pivot back to its origins. It’s no giant leap, but it’s definitely a good first step in the right direction, suggesting Marvel might finally be inching back toward telling stories with something real to say.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is out in cinemas now – go give it a watch!
