Cert – 12, Run-time – 1 hour 54 minutes, Director – Matt Shakman
The Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bacharach) find their status as beloved defenders of the world made tense when planet-eater Galactus (Ralph Ineson) threatens Earth, and the superhero family’s new arrival.
Pixar’s The Incredibles is often cited as the best Fantastic Four film. The inspiration of Marvel’s first family appears to be clear in that film, and now that film appears to have served as some inspiration on the 60s-inspired alternative-Earth setting of the group’s introduction into the MCU. The design doesn’t feel tacky and instead provides a welcome world that fits into the idea of the Fantastic Four being beloved defenders of Earth, with their own cynicism-free cartoon series and merchandise. The kind of team who people can go about their day not worrying about the world ending because they know the Fantastic Four will be there to sort out any threats that may turn up.
Yet, even with these feelings there were occasions through First Steps’ fairly restrained narrative that I felt that I’d rather be watching The Incredibles. Largely during the extensive build-up which sees multiple montage sequences to catch us up on the story so far, the family have had their powers for four years when we meet them, and get us finally to the big bad of the film.
After being warned of his coming by the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) – who gets hints of some solid beats with Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm/ Human Torch – a trip into space introduces us to towering planet-devourer Galactus (Ralph Ineson), who plans to add Earth to his list of eaten worlds. However, he also has his eyes set on the son Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) are expecting. Soon the family, including Ebon Moss-Bacharach’s Ben Grimm/ The Thing – in full acceptance of his rocky exterior – find themselves facing fears and accusations that they may not be able to save the Earth, with the population starting to turn on their family unit.
As Galactus gets ever closer an answer as to what to do seems more and more difficult to find. As this becomes the focus Galactus is generally made to feel like less of a big villain and more a threat to be faced – presumably with how much he’s built up and just how big a character he seems to be in the comics we’ll be seeing him again in the future, maybe in the main Marvel world/ universe, which this film sits outside of. There are some clever ideas in the final battle to face off against him, and in general when the film really strikes a good idea it runs with it and makes it last. One particular sequence involving the biggest plan of trying to defeat, or rather get around, the giant feels as if it’s being done with a smile as the effort off-screen appears to match that being portrayed on-screen – not to say that the rest of the film has a feeling of lax production, which is certainly not the case.
In general there’s a lightness to the film which matches the form of the narrative. There are some good chuckles here and there, largely from Quinn, and there’s an attempt to make the characters feel likable and engaging with their individual powers and traits, and as a team and family. While Pascal’s Mr Fantastic might not have his physical powers shown quite often, the film seemingly admitting there’s still an uncanny valley nature to live-action stretch powers; although those seen aren’t too bad here, his skills with a blackboard and piece of chalk are certainly rather good.
Generally, as it moves along, First Steps finds its stride and its pacing gets better. However, during a lengthy build-up and handful of montages along the way it feels as if the film is almost a bit too breezy, and trying to create the lightness through making things concise, which slightly backfires when it comes to the threat being faced. No doubt this Fantastic Four makes for a likable and engaging team who I’m sure will continue to grow these factors with future appearances – they’re bound to be key in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday – and they help to keep you engaged alongside the world that they slot into well, in addition to how that world responds to them which creates some interesting beats in a somewhat traditional vein. Yet, sometimes with everything I was seeing and feeling from the film I found myself wondering if it would be better suited to animation, and not just because of The Incredibles.
The likable dynamic between Marvel’s first family helps see The Fantastic Four: First Steps through a drawn out build-up and an occasionally held back narrative. When the film has a good idea it really runs with it and pushes engagement within its lighter confines.
Just A Little Bit Random 