The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Cranky Review

For the second week in a row I went to a movie I had not expected to think much of and was very pleasantly surprised. I also gave CFR another stroke on expressing ignorance of Dr. Doom. I should read more, I assume.

The Fantastic Four was the first super hero team brought to life by legends Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, back in 1961. (See what I did there? I read stuff.) This year marks the fifth movie starring the gang, though good luck finding the Roger Corman version. Boy, would I love to see that. I haven’t seen the other ones, but I heard they weren’t that great, and I don’t know what they look like or how well acted they are. All but the sequel to the second film and the current one in the theater begin with the origin of the four gaining their superpowers.

One of the reasons I liked the current film is the makers began the story in a more logical place. The team, all people who knew each other before having Cosmic Crisps cereal one day now live together in a swank tower as a kind of quasi chosen family/related family. There isn’t a lot of setup before the action begins, but even a tyro like me felt comfortable leaning into the action that starts when the Silver Surfer arrives to let everyone know, so sorry, but they should kiss their butt goodbye cause Galactus is on his way to eat the Earth.

Straightforward and promising loads of action and some nifty technobabble, I was very taken with the look and sound of this film. Set on Earth 828 (Jack Kirby’s birthday), it has a great look of high tech, colorful 1950s Metropolis. The retro/futuristic cars are colorful, the clothing is colorful with a 70 year old style, and there are few non-Caucasian actors. I’m not sure what that was about, but aside from one African American actress in a prominent co-starring role, few of the hundreds of extras were non-Caucasian. That kind of 1950s sensibility I could have done without.

Another thing I was quickly struck by was the accent that Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards) uses throughout the film. I have heard that he wanted to go stronger on it but was told to can it by the higher ups. I’m happy he stuck with it because it even more firmly grounds the film in a nostalgic colorfest. I heard one reviewer refer to it as “Trans Atlantic Old Hollywood”. I’m not entirely sure what that means, but Pedro sounds like he just stepped off a mid century MGM studio. Cue the ten minute discussion between CFR and myself about how a country’s accent does change over time. I’m still not sure she believed me. On further reflection it occurred to me that Pascal always does a different accent in every role and you can color me impressed.

The Fantastic Four has, historically, been rather bitchy family members but they seemed to have toned it down a bit here. The film is very strongly about love of all sorts, and I like how they made that aspect stronger than the sniping and quipping we’ve come to expect from Marvel films. Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm) plays very pregnant and very heroic in the film which was wonderful. How often do we see a very pregnant woman suit up to fight galactic evil without a quibble from anyone around her? If you watch for her promotional appearances for the film, you can see how she currently looks actually very, very pregnant. I assume that was a bit unintended but it does make me smile.

This film has a very different look and film from most other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, with the 1950s look and streamlined plot that doesn’t seem to slow down much at any point. Even the traditionally overlong fight sequences didn’t seem to drag as much. I quite liked this movie, and

encourage you to see it in the theater. These are larger than life heroes and villains, and the big screen is the best place to encounter larger than life.

Triggers: dirty diapers, a little too pale with the actors

Available: in theaters only at this time

CFR Review

I really liked it. I also had high hopes for The Fantsatic Four: First Steps so I am glad I was not disappointed. I just had a feeling it was going to be good. Mostly because I knew Marvel FINALLY got the right back and like the other movies for the MCU, there was love for the material and therefore it was going to be good. So glad to have been right.

I agree with Cranky’s points. The what I think of as cartoon futurist look was fun. Like Cranky I kept looking for People of Color and was disappointed at the small number. It is easy to get many colors, shapes, sizes, and ages in a crowd and be sure to show them all. So please up that game and thank you.

Here are some of my favorite points:

POSSIBLE SPOILERS – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

• Reed picks up clothing. OMG. The movie opens with Reed Richards picking up his uniform off of the bedroom floor and then laying it out carefully on the bed. A man who picks up after himself?!?!?! Huzzah! Reminded me of my own beloved husband.
• Sue is pregnant. We have a female superhero who goes into space very pregnant. Reed comments how important that is and Sue agrees and off they go. Not since Xena: Warrior Princess have I enjoyed watching a pregnant woman save the day as much as I did here. In fact, I’m not sure when I have seen other pregnant superheroes….
• Sue gives birth. OMG. Not only does Sue give birth she does it in space!!!! I was at first concerned about gravity and Reed even mentioned that. So cool and awesome.
• Herbie. I love the robot. I love him so much I bought the special popcorn/drink container gift just so I could have him. He is with me now. YAY!
• The Silver Surfer. A very cool character and I loved seeing her backstory. It was wonderful

END SPOILERS

Finally: Love. This movie had so much love in it. I think the director, Matt Shakman, looked at the characters and story with the same love in his eyes that Joss Whedon used for The Avengers. You can feel it in the audience. It felt good. It felt like home. I loved it. Like the poster says: Welcome to the family.

All in all, this is a wonderful, loving movie with great characters, action, and that good old MCU magic. Go see it and enjoy.

LINKS:

• The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Official Site
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps – IMDB
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Wikipedia