The Fantastic Four: First Steps was not a film that I was looking forward to seeing. Granted, I knew that I’d see it, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it or be entertained. Of the past 13 MCU films, I’d only seen eight of them and from that figure only three of those favorably stuck in my memory. I’m not alone in those thoughts, and if anything, my scale was tilted in Marvel’s favor. Factor all of that into the fourth attempt to get Fantastic Four off of the ground and here we are. But, here’s the thing about Fantastic Four: First Steps: it has a lot in common with Superman and a kaiju film, which is an unlikely combination that adds up to a very enjoyable movie.
The rumors that the internet folks have whipped up about various head fakes to a DEI-heavy plot aren’t here. There is one instance of it that sticks out, but it’s not that big of a deal and it’s not the fact that the Silver Surfer is a woman. The other theory about this film taking place in an alternate Earth, for the purpose of it exploding and pushing them through to where they can hook up with the other MCU properties, isn’t true, yet. This film doesn’t end with them crash landing on a different, but familiar planet a la Planet of the Apes.
Instead, Fantastic Four: First Steps is a grounded movie that’s more about relationships. Joseph Quinn is a standout as the Human Torch. Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal are good as Sue Storm and Mister Fantastic, but their age gap was distracting. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is good as Ben Grimm, but he’s CGI for 90% of the film. Ralph Ineson, even though he’s voice and CGI only as Galactus, commands every scene he’s in.
There is no typical backstory for the heroes in the film. It lives in a world where they’ve been a team for four years and have saved the planet numerous times. There is a nice appearance on a local television station that highlights’ their history, explaining their powers and giving Marvel Comics fans some Easter Eggs by mentioning the villains they’ve defeated. This only lasts two minutes and provides people who know nothing about the Fantastic Four an overview.
Sue is pregnant from early on in the movie. Mysterious transmissions are being received from deep space. The Silver Surfer appears and tells everyone that Galactus is on the way to destroy the planet. They try to fight the Silver Surfer, but she’s too strong and fast, leaving the team to ready their ship. The four find their signal in deep space, but are quickly defeated by Galactus.
That’s a gross overview of the plot, leaving out the finale, which was genuinely surprising and enjoyable. You think you know how it’s going to end based on internet chatter and the sheer impossibility of defeating an entity as big as skyscraper and twice as thick. First Steps does an excellent job in presenting Galactus as a understandable villain whose movement and presentation, at that scale are really enjoyable. He’s essentially a giant kaiju who is ready to team up with Godzilla and take down the entire MCU.
Where did all of the people go? Why does Galactus want the baby so badly? Will Ben Grimm find love? Is the Human Torch more than just a playboy and part-time superhero? These, and more side issues are easily solved and don’t trip up the greater enjoyment of the film, and that’s what I found so surprising about it. The Fantastic Four: First Steps leaves you guessing and doesn’t follow the same plot points as the predictable MCU. There isn’t as much action and much less humor in the film when compared to others, and that’s a great thing. In its place are well written characters that seem to have real, adult relationships with one another. They do have their silly moments, but it’s not the comedy that became so grating and predictable in phase three, four and five of the MCU. The only time in First Steps when the humor becomes obvious and annoying is at the very end of the film when they’re trying to figure out the baby seat.
First Steps is a fun movie. You don’t need to be fluent in the MCU to enjoy it. If you are fluent in the MCU then you’ll dig through each scene with references to its comic creators that are referenced a couple of times. The film pays fan service in that way, but doesn’t require a Venn diagram for those who just want a fun time at the movies. And that’s been something missing from Marvel movies for far too long.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is rated PG-13 for action sequences and very mild language.
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