Cinephile No. 1,321 “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”
Recommendation: 4/5 Stars
Plot: “Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic herald, the Silver Surfer.”
Review: In 1962, Seattle hosted a future-forward World’s Fair under the theme of the “Century 21 Exposition.” With a new and futuristic building known as the Space Needle serving as the centerpiece, the world was invited into a mid-century modern dream predicting the future of humanity. From our homes to our jobs, and to the stars above, visitors were given space and asked to question boldly and dream wild dreams.
In this Space Needle, mid-century modern future, one might have dreamed of an Earth that serves as the setting for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” This particular setting is not an origin story, but rather an introduction. You know these characters. Anyone with a passive knowledge of comic books knows these characters. This film doesn’t dwell long on how these humans unleashed their god-like powers. The purpose of this film is to construct a rich and believable world in which mankind has turned over major decisions to a small group of powerful superheroes in an exchange that some might say smells of fascism, but on screen feels joyful and necessary.
But this future isn’t perfectly polished. The challenge to overcome in this film almost feels biblical. See, Galactus is on his way, and he is bringing a mighty appetite. He feeds on worlds, and he has selected this world as his next meal. To add another layer of complexity, one of our heroes is carrying something Galactus wants. Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is pregnant, and her child is special. Galactus offers an exchange, the fate of the entire planet for a single child.
This sort of moral dilemma doesn’t happen a lot in comic books. Superheroes are never pregnant. Superheroes are rarely asked to sacrifice beyond themselves for the greater good. Most of the time, they see evil. They stop evil. But that isn’t the case here. Earth’s inhabitants have ceded their power to a group of superheroes. To maintain equilibrium and peace, these superheroes are asked to sacrifice something Sue Storm and Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) have long desired for their world.
Choosing not to sacrifice the child could potentially undo the delicate balance they’ve created. This sort of risk reaches heights we haven’t experienced since Thanos began gathering stones. It gives this film weight. As an audience member, we don’t fully understand what makes this child so special to Galactus, but we know a parent’s love and understand the innate desire to move heaven and Earth to protect them. These aren’t the sole desires of superheroes, but they make superheroes of anyone who has them.
And that’s what our heroes attempt to do. They literally attempt to move the Earth. Pulling together in an unprecedented global effort, they almost make it happen, but at the last moment, another layer of chaos is sewn into this story. With failure comes a new idea to use the child as bait. Will it work? I wouldn’t dare spoil the outcome.
Instead, I will say this. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” feels more fun, grounded, and necessary than any film Marvel has released into this world since Thanos snapped his fingers. It possesses countless layers of intrigue, opportunities for debate, and moral quandary. It is supremely acted, and even more beautiful. It consumed me completely and gave me plenty to consider. It doesn’t feel like a plot point that exists merely as a necessary step on our way to some bigger moment in the story. It stands alone in a world of its own creation, and does so with charm and humanity.
Be good to each other,
Nathan
As a member of the factory, you are taking a stand for human powered creation.
