If there’s one thing that’s absolutely unbelievable, fantastical, and fictional about Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s this.
You see the entire world cooperating harmoniously under one leader, as each country gives selflessly and contributes tirelessly to a greater cause.
While yes, the Earth of Fantastic Four: First Steps faces threats very unlike those of our own real world, it speaks to the optimism and good cheer of the film. It shows us that this team was birthed in a more idealistic, more uncomplicated time. Like its setting, it reminds us that these are heroes from a different era.
A more fantastic one.
Synopsis
Fantastic Four: First Steps is a superhero movie about the eponymous superhero group consisting of a husband, a wife, the wife’s brother, and the husband’s best friend. This is the third onscreen film iteration of the whole group, after Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four (2015). It is the 37th instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Set in an alternate 1960s retro-futuristic world, it sees the titular team as the world’s premiere superhero group as they navigate the challenges of parenthood even as they deal with a cosmic threat of a galactic scale.
Director: Matt Shakman
Writers: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer
Cast:
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Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards)
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Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman/Sue Storm)
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Joseph Quinn (Human Torch/Johnny Storm)
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Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing/Ben Grimm)
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Julia Garner (Silver Surfer/Shalla-Bal)
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Paul Walter Hauser (Mole Man/Harvey Elder)
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Ralph Ineson (Galactus)
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Natasha Lyonne (Rachel Rozman)
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Sarah Niles (Lynne Nichols)
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Mark Gatiss (Ted Gilbert)
- Ada Scott (Franklin Richards)
Running time: 114 minutes
The infectious idealism and hope
You could almost say that Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a utopian world. The film is seen through (almost) rose-tinted glasses, as the soft focus and colour grading present a cinematic universe that feels so idealistic and peaceful. There are relatively few moral quandaries or in-fighting between the heroes, which makes you yearn for the nostalgia that the movie presents. And rightfully so – because the Fantastic Four doesn’t work when it’s gritty or dark or realistic. The Fantastic Four works best with bright colours and a sunny, optimistic world. And that’s because they’re literally…
Heroes from another era
Take a look at their world – it’s devoid of any of the global problems that we have today. It’s not even because it’s set in the past, it’s because the Fantastic Four is a product of a different era. Stylistically, it has the retro-futuristic vibe, and all the fantastical devices that have been invented, like the Fantastic Car and HERBIE. In terms of mindset, it’s also one where members of the public adore their heroes and actually listen to them when danger strikes. It’s so wholesome and feel-good that it truly is a fantasy movie. The most striking aspect of the film, and the one that truly makes you realise that this is a fictional world, is when you see…
The world’s countries cooperating with each other
In our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous global climate… it seems like world peace will take quite a bit of effort to achieve. Which is why in Fantastic Four: First Steps, when all of Earth’s countries unite to share resources, contribute manpower, and be led by the Fantastic Four – it reminds you that this truly is a fantasy film. Every country is willing to report to the Fantastic Four and do exactly what they’re told – without a single country suddenly turning on everybody or trying to use the delicate situation they’re in to gain leverage. Granted, they’re facing planetary extinction, so that is a powerful motivator. Nevertheless, all the world’s countries are working together! Even the “evil” country is willing to lend a hand!
This is, indeed, a fictional fantasy world.
Mr Fantastic’s neurodivergence
While Reed Richards’ (Pedro Pascal) intelligence comes off as more of an informed power than one that’s shown on screen, it’s his neurodivergence that makes him so interesting to watch. Most other screen depictions of Mr Fantastic have him being incredibly smart and also socially adept. This Reed Richards is evidently uncomfortable in social situations, only getting by because he’s brilliant enough to figure out what’s expected of him. But when he’s alone with Franklin Richards (Ada Scott), Mr Fantastic’s monologue reveals that he knows just how different he is from other people. In an earlier quarrel with Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), he talks about how he envisions the most horrible thing that can happen, then works to prevent it from happening. He clearly knows that his perspectives and way of relating to the world are very, very different from the mainstream – and while this aspect isn’t played up, it also gives us a more three-dimensional depiction of Reed Richards.
The odd relatability of a newborn
Besides the fanboy in me being incredibly excited at seeing Franklin Richards appearing on screen, I was rather struck by the humanisation of Reed Richards as he deals with his impending parenthood. Of course, Sue Storm handles it with aplomb, as she does everything else in the film. But what most hit me was the excitement of Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) when they say they’ll be the best uncles ever. To me, that’s what really bonds family (and friends too) – when even those who aren’t parents want to have a hand in raising the child. It takes a village to raise a child, after all, and it’s very in line with the themes and treatment of Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Superpowers could have been more creatively used
Maybe it’s because we’ve been spoilt by the flashy, visually interesting, and creative ways that superpowers are used in the MCU, which often reveals that the characters have had a lot more time to use their powers than we realise. But here, the Fantastic Four use their powers in all the ways you’d expect. That’s not to say there isn’t a fair amount of action and superheroics and special effects. But for a team that literally calls themselves fantastic, I thought I’d see brilliant and exotic uses of their powers as they trounce their enemies and save lives.
Should you watch Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Fantastic Four: First Steps is the last MCU movie we’ll be seeing in a while, and I’m glad that it leaves us with such a hopeful, wholesome vibe. The day is saved, there’s a new addition to the family, we get a new superhero team, and of course, a teaser for the major threat in Avengers: Doomsday. It takes the classic team and manages to add more dimensions to them, showing us a different perspective of this superhero group. And ultimately, it lets us envision a world where there’s international cooperation. That’s a true fantasy indeed – or as true believers might say, an amazing fantasy indeed.
Stay back for post-credit scenes.
Rating: 7.5/10
Fantastic Four: First Steps is out in cinemas now.
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