Marvel Studios and Disney have a lot riding on their latest foray into the MCU, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (will be referred to as FF for the rest of this review). Comic book movies remain a relatively reliable cash grab for studios, but the break even and beyond point for the more expensive ones has been elusive as of late. After a string of mostly mediocre films since ‘Avengers: Endgame’ that have neither been embraced by critics nor fans, the MCU has struggled to resonate anywhere near its highs pre-pandemic (excluding ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ which is technically a Sony picture). ‘Thunderbolts’, led by an electric Florence Pugh performance, showed some signs of the studio regaining its footing, but its reliance on mostly C-level characters still left fans of this grand experiment wanting. For years since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and its cache of Marvel characters farmed out during the comic book company’s flirt with bankruptcy in the late 90s, a gauntlet has been thrown. How would Kevin Feige and Co. handle Marvel Comic’s First Family? As it turns out, surprisingly well!

Steeped in its own mythology over dozens of movies and tv shows, how could the MCU introduce the very public characters and family members who make up the FF? Faced with this conundrum, the creators behind FF came up with a solve by tapping into the multiverse concept hinted at in ‘Endgame’ and fully introduced on ‘Loki’. They trust an audience to get on board with an alternate Earth where the exploration of space in the 1960s would result in a near-utopian future version of a retro-aesthetic world replete with art deco tech beyond where we are today, but still retaining that stylized milieu. It’s a compelling choice that works on multiple levels, centering cynical viewers in a vision that supports the earnest nature of the film and its characters.

In hindsight, this approach seems to be the perfect way to showcase superheroes who could (and have) come across as corny to modern audiences. In this world, the FF are not only adventurers using their intellect to advance technology, but true role models and saviors of the human race. Through Reed Richards’ (Pedro Pascal playing against his charismatic type) intellect and outward facing leadership, the FF have helped make advancements in every aspect of life to the point where the populace have become dependent on them to solve all their problems. Through Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby, killing it), the true leadership of the FF shines through, as she brings grace and support, a beacon of compassion and the most powerful member of the team with her invisibility and force-field construct powers. Sue’s brother Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch (a charismatic Joseph Quinn) is truly a contributing member of this team and family as opposed to just being the comic relief. Finally there’s Ben Grimm, The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s unique personality shining through the mo-cap CGI representation), shown here as far more complex than just a tragic figure whose appearance was the only one to be altered when gaining his powers of strength and a rocky exterior. While he embraces his protective role and adoring young fans, the movie slyly hints at the longing within with a few key visuals and scenes between he and Reed, as well as with Natasha Lyonne’s love interest. Unfortunately most of her part in this story seems to have been relegated to the cutting room floor along with the compete erasure of John Malkovich’s Red Ghost as what was likely an extraneous villain. What stays though is a small but delightfully devilish turn by Paul Walter Houser as the Mole Man.

The film takes a little while to set itself up before introducing what will be the main antagonistic part of the story. It opens smartly on an intimate private scene between Reed and Sue that immediately humanizes characters who are then presented as larger than life via a montage that catches the audience up without having to slog through an origin story. Four years of adventures, advancements, and supervillains are being celebrated on this dimension’s version of an Ed Sullivan style variety show. It’s a fun sequence that showcases the brilliant production design and overall 60s vibe of this world.

Once this is accomplished and the tone is set, the story kicks off with the arrival of the Silver Surfer, The Herald of Galactus, the world devourer. Julia Garner plays the CG mo-cap character appropriately aloof, mysterious, and haunted by her compassion. Galactus is a cosmic force, consumed by uncontrollable hunger, unstoppable and inevitable once a planet is marked. Despite the enormous threat, the FF take on the responsibility of saving the populace without hesitation, intent on meeting this threat head-on proactively. It’s during this exciting and compelling sequence of wonder and danger in space that the moral quandary is introduced that will drive the rest of the narrative. In the past, Fox Studios not surprisingly struggled with the presentation of this villain, only second to Doctor Doom on the FF’s roster of Big Bads:

Obviously they don’t come much bigger. It’s a testament to Marvel’s chutzpah to really go for it here in this film and real fans should love it (not so sure about the general movie-going public haha)

When all is said and done, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is not just another Marvel movie. It’s not indebted to what has come before, and just maybe, it hints at the possibilities of what’s to come. While it’s really difficult to imagine these characters interacting with the MCU, it will be interesting to see Feige & Co. give it a try. The MCU Earth was always meant to be similar to our own, which made it relatable and fantastical all at once, whereas the FF Earth-828 is lacking in cynicism and filled with hope. Its denizens have total faith in their heroic family, to the point where when Reed asks them to make sacrifices and work together, the whole world listens. This love for their role models is not even really misplaced to this point in their history. Maybe this fantastic world and aspirational drive is just what audiences need right now from superhero entertainment. One thing’s for certain though, everyone needs a little H.E.R.B.I.E. in their life . . .

Directed By: Matt Shakman

Written By: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, & Ian Springer

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 114 min.

* * * 1/2 (Out of 4 stars) -OR- B+