Rob reviews: Fantastic Four: First Steps

Yesterday, Kid 2 and I went to see Fantastic Four: First Steps, the much ballyhooed latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

It’s important to now that FFFS does. To, the fantastic four are the world‘s greatest, and presumably, only, superheroes. Their adventures are known the world over and they are very much celebrities.

The movie is loosely based on what is perhaps the FF’s greatest story: the arrival of Galactus. When the story begins, Reed Richard’s and Sue Storm are already married and expecting a child. This universe’s version of Shalla Boll, one of the iterations of the Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to announce the arrival of the planet-devouring GALACTUS.

The good

I had heard in some early reviews that people said the overall visual aesthetic to this movie and the special effect shots are perhaps the best that they had ever seen from Marvel. I have to agree. As mentioned before, FFFS place on Earth 828, a homage to FF co-creator Jack Kirby. The movie pays also harkens back to the FF’s historical roots in that earth 818 looks as if it is still the year 1963. Everything from hairstyles costumes set pieces, scenery, all looks like it was Ripped out of the days of JFK‘s “Camelot“. For the truly futuristic high-tech elements in the movie, like the team’s spaceship, the filmmakers relied on the “retro nostalgia “look. Think of the old Flash Gordon, movie, cereals, the worlds fair, or even tomorrowland at Disney’s Disney World resort. Essentially, these things had that look of what people in the 60s may have thought that rocket ships would look like in the future.

Overall, I was very happy with the cast choices that were made. Pedro Pascal was a great choice for Richard/Mr. fantastic. I think there was some concern that he wasn’t wide enough to play the part. But he handled it perfectly. And even though he kept his trademark mustache, he made the red Richards character his. In fact, Pascal played the character with more heart than I had come to expect from Reid Richards. He definitely felt like more of a leading man, as opposed to Ian Griffith‘s performance and the 2005 fantastic four movie.

I wasn’t sure what Marvel’s plan was to introduce the FF into the MCU, especially considering that they were first comic of the modern era of marvel comics. But I think the decision to set the movie on earth 818 was a fantastic idea. Upon intended. It freed audiences of need to have an extensive MCU back knowledge in order to enjoy the movie. I feel like fantastic. 44 steps would be a great jumping on point for people who have not seen any content from Marvel Studios previously.

The bad

At times, I thought that the actress playing Sue storm was a little bit wooden. She does give one fairy and passion speech in the movie that really won me over though. I won’t get into it here so it’s not too give spoilers

The movie did maintain some of the witty banter between Johnny Storman, Ben Graham, although they seem to be much more copacetic with each other comic book fans will be used to. I think that showing Johnny and Ben antagonizing each other a little bit more wood made the whole theme of family even more significant than it already was.

The ugly

My biggest criticism of fantastic four first steps was that we did not see the FF become truly integrated into the MCU. I was expecting to see the characters end up on earth 616, particularly after the end scene of thunderbolts, but this was not to be. Evidently the plan is to bring them over in avengers: doomsday. otherwise, the only real complaint I have about FFFS was the lack of fighting scenes. There was action, there were bunches of throne; it’s not as if the movie is on a Superman returns level of nonviolence. But a bit more action and more use of read Richard stretching abilities, would’ve been appreciated by your favorite blogger.

Final take

It’s time we all accept the reality that Marvel Studios will, in all likelihood never attain, let alone surpass the level of success enjoyed by Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Such expectations would have been like expecting Michael Jackson’s Bad album to outsell than Thriller.

Having said that, I enjoyed Fantastic Four: First Steps. It manages to be a great jumping-on point for new viewers, while moving some proverbial chess pieces for future MCU projects. Recommended, both for longtime MCU fans and newcomers to the franchise.

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