The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a lot like walking into a fast food restaurant that got a fancy new remodelling and redesign. You’re curious to check out everything while it looks new and shiny, before it all gets run into the ground over the next decade; before the next redesign or inevitable closure of the shop. It’s kind of awe inspiring to see something this familiar with a new coat of paint. Then you get the meal and you realize it’s just the same thing it always was; the same food in better ambiance. The surroundings elevate things slightly, but not enough to distract from the fact that nothing tangible has changed. It’s kind of a cheat. So while there’s nothing terrible about The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there’s also nothing inspiring about it beyond the visuals. It’s not contemptible, but it’s annoyingly basic stuff with fresh coats of blue and white paint.
Like (the much, much better) Superman earlier this month, The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t get bogged down in rehashing the backstories of Dr. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). They were scientists who went to space, something went wrong, and they came back with superpowers. Reed can now stretch and contort his body (a curiously under-used effect here, in comparison to everyone else). Sue can turn invisible and create forcefields. Johnny can engulf his body in flames and fly around at top speeds, and Grimm is a hulking, powerful mass of rock. Together, they create Earth 626’s first ever band of superheroes, The Fantastic Four, who go around New York City fighting various villains and destructive creatures. They’re beloved by the public at large and some of the biggest celebrities in the world. When a mysterious, intergalactic, metallic herald (Julia Garner, as Silver Surfer) arrives on Earth to tell the planet that they’re doomed to eradication at the hands of the world eating Galactus (Ralph Ineson), naturally these are the four people the world turns to for help. They attempt to negotiate with Galactus, but the price he asks to spare Earth is one Reed isn’t willing to pay. When they return to Earth, Reed tells the public what the devourer wanted, and the common people immediately turn on their heroes for not doing what’s in their best interests.
Naturally, Galactus isn’t some kind of push-over, and the team are in for the biggest battle of their lives, but like many other superhero movies as of late, an attempt is being made in The Fantastic Four: First Steps to focus on the human element of these characters. I say attempt because even though a plethora of writers are credited with the script and story for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, none of them are able to come up with anything original or novel. The relationship between chronic worrier Reed and his wife, Sue, takes centre stage, as they are expecting a baby. That’s fine, but even with their superpowers, there’s nothing refreshing about watching this quartet of people living under the same roof preparing for a new arrival. Sue’s little brother, Johnny, wants more responsibility and for Reed to listen to him, but that’s nothing new. Ben’s self-image issues have been well documented in the comics and previous attempts at adapting the characters to the big screen, but here he has to deal with the pressures of being an instantly recognizable local hero, while casually flirting with a school teacher (Natasha Lyonne) that he’s sweet on. Ben’s storyline is the most interesting and has the most fine detail, so it’s a shame that it’s treated literally like a fourth wheel to the main plot, relegated to the backseat save for a handful of the film’s best scenes.
The villain is another all powerful being sent to destroy the world, again. Oh whatever will these heroes do? Will they have to dig deep within themselves and overcome numerous setbacks to save the day? Will there be noble sacrifices? Will some enemies become friends? Can they get a world that has started to hate them to unite under a common cause? Please. If you have seen any of these movies, you know the answers already. Nothing that happens in The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be a shock to anyone familiar with the superhero genre. Expecting anything different at this point would be like going to a slasher movie and hoping none of those teenagers get killed.
But I can still enjoy a superhero movie provided that there’s something original happening. Here, series television veteran Matt Shakman (best known for helming WandaVision, which had a similar aesthetic, and delivering his first feature since Cut Bank in 2014) carefully curates a vision of 1950s and 60s Americana leaning sci-fi; an old fashioned world full of futuristic gadgetry. It’s all stunning to look at – especially a re-creation of Times Square during the film’s climax that dazzles – but it’s not in service of very much. It’s not distracting, but the scenery is more interesting than the characters and the story. The eye always wants to see where things are heading next, not the brain.
The cast is fine, with Pascal nicely portraying an expectant father who’s prone to overanalyzing everything, and Bachrach bringing some nice warmth, but they don’t have to stretch or burn up the screen very often. They’re all implements in Shakman’s fantastical tool box and not much else. The film also asks them to do some particularly silly looking things – especially poor Kirby, who should get an award for being such a good sport about things. (Seriously, think about how movies are made with so many special effects that can’t be seen or interacted with on set, and then marvel at what Kirby has to do in some of her biggest scenes.) All of the characters in The Fantastic Four: First Steps have character traits that have been seen and done before in these kinds of films, and none of them rise above what’s already been done. Outside of Ben Grimm, the most interesting character here is the Fantastic Four’s robot helper, who shows more charisma with beeps and boops than most of the other cast members can with reams of expository dialogue.
Even the situations these heroes find themselves in carry a pronounced degree of familiarity. A narrative where the American people turn against their protectors so close after Superman did the same thing isn’t a great look, but beyond that, so much of The Fantastic Four: First Steps reeks of contrivance and taking the easy road. As the film moved forward, I was always appreciative about the look of the film, but got increasingly annoyed that Shakman and company weren’t using this platform to do anything that could give Marvel a shot in the arm. Compared to Thunderbolts* earlier this year, The Fantastic Four: First Steps might look more opulent, but it takes fewer risks as a result. (Also, the characters in Thunderbolts* were – across the board – more compelling that any of these folks.)
But the thing that sinks The Fantastic Four: First Steps more than anything else (even a prolonged suspenseful moment at the end that teases a interesting wrinkle for far too long) is a lack of humour. For something this colourful and well designed, there’s hardly any joy or wonder to be found. There’s no soul to The Fantastic Four: First Steps outside of the old chestnut that parents will do anything to protect their kids (which, again I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of times before). Everything here is taken at retro-face value, and the straight faced approach makes everything blander. It’s exhausting to watch so many visual artists work so hard for something this small and shallow thinking in scope. Sure, there’s one of those credits stingers that points to this thing linking up to a bigger vision, but even then it’s hard to get worked up about it unless you are the biggest of Marvel superfans. Maybe they’ll get a kick out of seeing what is – ultimately by default and lack of real competition – the “best” Fantastic Four movie to date, but anyone suffering from or on the verge of superhero fatigue might reach a breaking point with this.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, July 25, 2025.
