While I loved Superman, the same cannot be said about the newest superhero movie to hit the big screen. The Fantastic Four always struggles to make a successful adaptation. They seemingly find the right cast, but the wrong script. The Fantastic Four: First Steps heads in a better direction than its predecessors but lacks the charm that typically leaves audiences wanting more.
Like James Gunn’s Superman, First Steps avoids an origin story. Set during a retro-futuristic 1960’s, the Fantastic Four and all their merchandise is adored in this world. Early in the film we learn that Sue Storm is pregnant with her and Reed Richard’s first child, which they had given up trying to conceive. This happy news is briefly celebrated around the world until Earth receives a harrowing warning by the Silver Surfer. She leads the Fantastic Four to a greedy and evil space God named Galactus, who threatens to destroy the planet unless Sue gives up her possibly superpowered baby.
I really wanted to love this one. The cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss, and Joseph Quinn sounded so promising. But even their performances feel a little lackluster until the final act of the film. I do still have faith in them, but Marvel needs to figure out how to make audiences connect with their characters again. They had the right idea with Thunderbolts, but that may be because we already had established relationships with many of those characters. The only real attempt to feel anything here is Sue and Reed as first-time parents. Though we have empathy for them, what we know about those two, along with Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm is all surface level. And while the parenting storyline is sweet and I appreciate the simplicity of the plot, the embarrassingly poor CGI on their baby son is cringing and takes you out of the movie.
The biggest issue with First Steps is how it takes itself entirely too seriously. The jokes they attempt do not land, and with this group, you’d think there would be a few chuckles. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best out of the four adaptations so far, but that is not saying much. However, if you stick around for the end credit tease, they do leave audiences with something to look forward to. Giving a little bit of hope for these characters you so desperately want to root for.
Rating: C-
