The Fantastic Four: First Steps — Review

Superhero team movies resonate due to the diversity of powers and abilities, as well as the mash-up of personalities that bring group dynamics to the next level. From The Avengers and The Guardians of the Galaxy to The Incredibles, there’s no denying that audiences love more than just a team-up, but also a strong group effort that shows results. And after three failed attempts at bringing Marvel’s First Family onto the big screen, The Fantastic Four: First Steps homes in on that family connection to deliver one heck of a thrill ride to give the team the recognition it deserves.

Marvel Studios’ latest entry comes in as the second reboot of the film franchise and the 37th instalment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but it also ushers in something absent from the massive franchise for a while – a story that needs no homework or knowledge to embrace the action and adventure on the big screen. After all, it’s a familiar comic book adventure that has graced the big screen three times, minus an unreleased 1994 feature by B-Movie director Roger Corman – the Tim Story (Barbershop) duology in 2005 and 2007, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, and Josh Trank’s widely-panned 2015 reboot with Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell. 

Unlike its predecessors, this entry from director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) eschews an origin story for a new one that begins four years after the titular quartet assumes their heroic mantle. The switch-up is equal parts bold and fresh, fleshing out the more human aspects of balancing heroics with family drama, alongside some tweaks to characterisation. While a handful of missteps stand in its way, the film establishes an optimistic future for the superhero team, topping all previous releases to become the best on-screen portrayal of the Fantastic Four to date. 

With a simple recap of the quartet, audiences are introduced to Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us), his pregnant wife Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby, The Crown), Ben Grimm / The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear), and Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Joseph Quinn, Stranger Things Season 4), who return to Earth with powers after encountering a cosmic storm in a space exploration mission gone wrong. 

Now the protectors of the 1960s-inspired alternate universe known as Earth-828, they must defend it from the planet-devouring cosmic being Galactus (Ralph Ineson, The Office) and his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner, Ozark). What sets this film apart isn’t their special abilities, but that they form a family unit comprising two biological siblings, a husband-and-wife pair, and a long-time friend, and are as close-knit and accurate a definition of a superpowered family can be, accompanied by their fair share of dysfunction and eccentricities.

Saving the world is a heavy responsibility to shoulder, so it certainly makes sense that superheroes aren’t the shining example of the family ideal. What makes the Fantastic Four resonate is that while there are more things to worry about when lives are at stake, audiences are drawn to the vulnerability and emotional toll that these four constantly find themselves grappling with. 

Shakman’s take shows it’s also where their strength lies, as this is not the found family trope that brings a group of misfits plagued with unresolved trauma, emotional repression, and nearly every other unhealthy coping mechanism available (case in point: The Thunderbolts aka New Avengers, and some of The Avengers). 

Case in point? The calculative Richards knows what’s at stake when Galactus sets his sights on Earth, and must balance his practicality and his love for his wife, while Sue must grapple with her brilliant husband recognising that there will always be an option when the needs of the many outweigh those of the few or one.  

The film pulls off its narrative through a retro-futuristic aesthetic, which it makes no secret of, with finesse, painting a whimsical picture representative of its colourful comic book nature. Those with background knowledge will also be familiar with the other part of the equation that sets Galactus and the Silver Surfer after the quartet: young baby Franklin, who makes his live-action debut here. Without giving anything away, the child of Reed and Sue harbours powerful potential, and that’s never a good thing in the world of superheroes and supervillains.

It’s hardly the only instance of deviance, either. The main four are a little different from their previous counterparts, with Sue bringing some bite to her emotional intelligence and the usual archetype of a caring, goody mother. Meanwhile, her younger sibling adopts a more mature and smarter outlook that extends beyond his womaniser and ‘himbo’ personality established in the 20th Century Fox films. Ben is more self-assured, and Reed exudes a more dispassionate, almost-detached air than before. Maybe it also helps that the four are played by well-known and beloved actors who share the screen instead of hogging the limelight for themselves.

Fundamentally, though, they are still the beloved characters fans have come to know and love: Reed, for instance, is sincere but struggles with personal connections, Johnny never misses a chance to work his charm or wit, Ben remains the same gruff, grumpy softie, and Sue is no less empathetic. 

In theory, the contrasting personalities of Reed and Sue are an ideal match. As cemented in the comic books and previous films, the former is the balm to the latter’s instinct-driven approach, and both Pascal and Kirby command a strong presence in their respective roles – individually, at least. The pair work well enough together in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but their on-screen chemistry doesn’t come across as electrifying, as compared to, say, David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in James Gunn’s Superman, but instead, Quinn and Moss-Bachrach’s dynamics feel a lot more organic, from ribbing each other to exchanging mutual high-fives when things go their way. 

The shift to a family-oriented angle also offers room to explore the less glamorous and flashy aspects of superhero life, alongside glimpses into their everyday lives. Basking in their popularity and the warm support from the public, the superheroes are forced to live with the consequences of a difficult decision, which puts a strain on their relationship and brings them to a new low. Throw the stress of parenthood into the mix, and tensions are bound to run high. 

Of the four, the Storm siblings are the scene-stealers. Johnny gets to show off his intelligence, which was neglected or glossed over in the existing big-screen depictions, and Sue has her own moment that reinforces a parent’s unwavering love for their child. It’s a shame that they don’t share many scenes, but the sense of domesticity during such moments lends itself nicely to the theme of family. A surprise standout here takes the form of H.E.R.B.I.E., the adorable robot voiced by Matthew Wood (Star Wars movies), who scuttles around the Fantastic Four’s headquarters and helps out in day-to-day matters, from analysing scientific samples to even babysitting duties. 

Humour, too, contributes to the dysfunctional energy in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Although not as prominent or chaotic as expected, it gives personality to each of the characters: Ben is the master of deadpan delivery, Johnny’s features a mix of dry and outright wit, and eye-rolling is Sue’s go-to response. Not every joke sticks its landing, however, and some may find some of them too cheesy for their tastes.

The focus on emotional storytelling highlights a chink in the armour, and that’s the lack of superpowered action scenes – arguably the bread-and-butter of any comic book movie. Marvel’s latest isn’t the adrenaline fix that many have come to expect, and at first, seems to be saving the high-octane excitement for the end, only to fall short. A major chase scene with the Silver Surfer sees the complete absence of superpowers, as Marvel’s first family flees in a spaceship, and the climax doesn’t pack nearly enough weight. Make no mistake, for these sequences can be thrilling; it’s just not enough of them, so action-seeking audiences will have to temper their expectations. 

And speaking of the Herald of Galactus, this character isn’t the same one from the earlier attempt. Making her live-action debut is Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner, Ozark), whose comics counterpart is the love interest of Norrin Radd, another Silver Surfer incarnation who appeared in 1994’s Fantastic Four. Garner slips into the role deftly, with her expressions conveying a nuance that colours her backstory and adds to the theme of sacrifice. 

There’s little doubt that the special effects in The Fantastic Four: First Steps are impressive. Barring a particular scene where Johnny’s flames look unpolished, the outer space sequences are an arresting sight to witness, especially on an IMAX screen. Previously introduced in 2007’s The Rise of Silver Surfer as an underwhelming cosmic cloud, the Devourer of Worlds now returns in his comic-accurate, mighty form, brought to life through Ineson’s severe, intimidating tone. 

Alas, the story proves to be its weakest link. While it’s hardly the top priority for superhero flicks, serving as more of a welcome bonus than a core requirement, the film reveals a handful of narrative holes that counteract its efforts to avoid them. Case in point: a major scene uses the common tactic of baiting the enemy, only to turn it on its head. Elsewhere, though, the inconsistent subversion invites the usual pitfalls and tropes, including overly convenient resolutions, villain monologues, plot armour, unrealistic turnaround of time-consuming solutions (yes, superhero movies aren’t meant to be realistic, but even this is still a bit of a stretch), and the flimsy unravelling of the Silver Surfer’s motivations and actions. 

For all of its minor shortcomings, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is easily the best on-screen homage that Marvel’s first family deserves. Buoyed by strong individual performances, impressive visual effects, and a fine balance of humour and heart, the comic book romp delivers an enjoyable watch, although action-seekers may leave the cinemas craving a little more adrenaline. 

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.