So lets talk Fantastic Four: First Steps. We all know the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) hasn’t quite hit the same highs since the incredible Infinity Saga. That series was a masterpiece, with Thor 2 being the only real dip for me. Considering the sheer number of films, we can’t truly complain, as it was consistently strong, building expertly towards Thanos and culminating in those back-to-back Avengers films that truly delivered on their star-studded promise.
Since then, Marvel has attempted to recapture that magic with new series and films, leading us toward what might now be known as the “Doom Saga.” I’d argue the “Kang Saga” wasn’t as bad as it feels now, given we at least had a villain teased before the films. Regardless, here we are. Recently, with films like Thunderbolts and the series Ironheart, the quality hasn’t been quite as amazing as it once was, but I do think we’re seeing a return to form. This Fantastic Four film feels like part of that positive trend. It won’t blow your socks off, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
A Cohesive and Intelligent Team
This Fantastic Four team is an incredibly cohesive unit, with every member playing their part, distinct yet perfectly integrated by their unique powers. I’ve honestly never seen a Fantastic Four team complement each other so well. Typically, I’m used to Reed being the sole smart one, Sue handling defence, Human Torch being the flashy one, and Ben providing brute force. This time, however, they genuinely feel like a team that works together, using their specific abilities to contribute effectively to any situation.
Reed is still the brilliant leader, but his conversations with the others aren’t just him “talking gibberish.” Instead, he guides the discussion to something the entire team can understand and collaborate on. This felt a bit jarring at first, but once I let go of my preconceived notions of what the Fantastic Four should be, it felt completely right. I’d never before questioned why they all went to space; I just assumed it was because they were family. This film shows them as a close family who are also all intelligent scientists, which makes far more sense. In hindsight, it’s obvious!
There’s even a moment in the film where they reference the Fantastic Four cartoon, highlighting how they aren’t like their animated counterparts. This distinction not only made them more believable as characters but also suggests this team can bring something far more interesting to the MCU than just a group of lovable, albeit somewhat idiotic, heroes. While the MCU has smart characters, it often leans on the “the smart one” trope. Having a team where everyone is intelligent and brings their own unique contributions was a refreshing change. I’m genuinely excited to see what this team can achieve in the MCU.
Mixed Bag on the CGI
The CGI in this film was a mixed bag – terrible in some places, great in others, clearly showing where the budget was allocated. Mister Fantastic, Sue, and Ben all look excellent. When they use their powers, even if less flashy than some, the effects are portrayed very well. We don’t get an abundance of power-based action, but what we do get is well-executed.
The Human Torch, on the other hand, leaves me a bit on the fence. While it’s certainly challenging to make someone constantly engulfed in flames look good, the effect of constant fire around him was a little jarring at first. It’s easily overlooked, but it’s something you notice every time he’s fully flamed on. I’d probably need a rewatch to fully decide if it was okay.
The CGI for all outer space scenes, Galactus, and the ships was fantastic. This is clearly where a significant portion of the budget went. Is it absolutely hyper-realistic? No, but how can you portray such cosmic concepts without them looking a little “out of this world”? It was on par with the high-quality CGI we’ve come to expect from MCU films.
However, Franklin featured some unnecessarily bad CGI. The scenes where this character is digitally created add absolutely nothing to the film and actively pull you out of the experience. I’m baffled as to why they made this choice. That said, he isn’t on screen in a meaningful way for most of the film, so again, I can overlook it. The new Silver Surfer’s CGI was awesome, apart from the very first glimpse of her phasing. They show her actually surfing on several occasions, which I was initially unsure about, but honestly, I think it’s pretty cool, even if it feels a little gratuitous at times.
A Slow Start, But Strong Finish
The first 30 minutes of the film had me questioning my initial reaction in odd ways. The obvious differences in how I perceived the characters, coupled with a great Fantastic Four introduction that wasn’t a typical origin story but still got everyone up to speed, felt a bit out of place. It had a surprisingly serious, 1960s-esque tone when I expected something more campy. Some elements felt genuinely well-done in moving the story forward and informing new viewers about the team.
However, and I’m not sure if this was just because I was trying to adjust to other changes, the initial family chemistry felt a bit lacking. Particularly in the scene where Mr. Fantastic and Sue receive significant news, they react more like scientists than human beings. While this makes sense in hindsight after seeing their characterisations throughout the film, a bit more emotion in that early scene wouldn’t have detracted from anything and might have made the family feel less analytical from the outset.
Aside from this, once the first 30 minutes passed, it was pretty much smooth sailing. Plot points emerged, guiding us toward the film’s main purpose, and from that point, it felt like a great Marvel film. I just wish they’d infused that emotional moment earlier to prevent the introduction from feeling like a mere setup we were waiting through until the real plot began.
Galactus and the Silver Surfer
Let’s talk about Galactus. He was awesome! He was everything I expected and worked perfectly in the film. His motivations were clear, and the reasons for his presence were subtly alluded to. Did he monologue and engage you like Thanos? Absolutely not. But for a villain of his sheer cosmic scale, his imposing, less-spoken presence works, leaving you wondering what he’ll actually do when he gets involved. I think that’s effective.
A small part of me feels he could have been saved for a film with more heroes, where he could have had an even greater impact. That said, he certainly takes action and poses a significant threat. There’s a specific scene with Sue Storm I won’t detail, but I felt it made her stronger than she perhaps should have been – I’ll let you decide on that. However, Galactus’s power relative to other characters throughout the rest of the film was perfectly on point, and he utterly commanded his side of the conflict.
The film also delves into the usual reasons why the Silver Surfer serves him, but in a way that feels more intimate and closer than ever before. It’s not just a monologue; it’s something that slowly unravels as a crucial part of the plot, culminating in a crescendo. This made the Silver Surfer a far better character than we’ve seen previously.
Post-Credit Scenes
Regarding the after-credit scenes: I won’t spoil them, but I can tell you the first one is undoubtedly worth waiting for, and the second one is sadly not. I think the first scene could have been longer and held more gravity. I have many more thoughts on it, but I won’t go into detail here – you’ll understand when you see it. I’m unsure why they even included the second one; a simple joke, like some of the weaker post-credit scenes, would probably have been preferred. When the second one ended, most of the people in my cinema stood up and collectively quipped, “Well, that was worth the wait then…” followed by a collective laugh.
Conclusion: A Promising Future
So, in conclusion, is this film good? Is it worth seeing? Does it break new ground for Marvel? I’d say this film is certainly worth the cinema ticket and probably a few more watches at home to spot all the little details. I haven’t looked up what others have found, but I’m sure there’s plenty, as always with Marvel.
It’s not going to change your life, and you won’t immediately start messaging all your friends about it, but for the Fantastic Four, I think it’s excellent. It certainly outdid its predecessors, though that wasn’t a high bar. I’m genuinely excited for these characters to join the MCU. For once, I think they’ll add a genuinely new dynamic rather than the usual band of jokey misfits we often see with new teams. While there are a few things that could be tweaked to improve the film, it creates immense potential for this team’s future.
On a first watch, I’d give this film a 7/10
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