Thursday, August 07, 2025

Recent Watch - The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

promo image with the main characters of the film

 

Overall, I really, really enjoyed 'The Fantastic 4: First Steps'. It was *very* refreshing to watch an MCU project that was primarily focused on doing its own thing, and telling its own, mostly self-contained story without being preoccupied with setting up a dozen other storylines for films that will come out in 3 years, or offering more fan service than plot. The Easter eggs, the little nods to well-known characters from the FF comics, and the dedication to Jack Kirby were all genuinely nice touches as well.

I'd say that after 4 not-so-fantastic attempts, they've managed to bring these characters to live action in a way that works. The retrofuturistic setting allows for them to stay true to many of the comic book themes without needing to strive too hard for realism. The chemistry between the cast works in making them feel both like a team and like a family. They all get their separate moments to shine and use their powers, but Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm is the undeniable heart of the film and the glue that holds them together.