I want to give a thematic four stars, but I can’t quite do it.

Earth 828, the Fantastic Four are the planet’s protectors. But when a silver-clad being from outer space threatens the planet with destruction, the charismatic heroes must rise to the challenge. To protect not only the planet, but their new family…

Directed by Matt Shakman (various television shows, including WandaVision) and starring Pedro “I’m everywhere” Pascal (The Last of Us) Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible), Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first time Marvel’s “First Family” of heroes have appeared in the MCU. But it isn’t the first time they’ve graced the big screen. Oh no.
We had the 2005 movie starring Chris Evans and Jessica Alba. It was very campy, quite stupid, but had its heart in the right place. It had a sequel “Rise of the Silver Surfer” in 2007, which was genuinely quite good. But in 2015 we had the disaster that was Josh Trank’s grimdark Fantastic Four. An obvious requirement to keep the rights to the franchise that split apart due to a disorientating director and studio interference.

So for Marvel fans, a “proper” Fantastic Four adaptation in the MCU was long-awaited. Perhaps one of the most anticipated entries for many. I don’t read comics. So I can say from a moviegoer perspective who has seen the other versions… Yeah, this is pretty good.

Firstly, this film gives audiences a look at Earth 828. In a more restrained use of the multiverse, this is an alternate Earth without lamp-shading the fact. Here is a retro-futurist 1960s, where the Fantastic Four are lauded as Earth’s heroes. They have protected the planet from various terrestrial dangers, having acquired superpowers from a space flight accident. All is brightly lit, colourful and optimistic.

But the film montages most of this; wisely not committing to a blow-by-blow origin story. But we do get the important information: this is a family of superheroes. Much loved and appreciated. They have established relationships and history, with each other and the world they protect. More than this, Sue Storm (Kirby) and Reed Richards (Pascal) are expecting a child. Their lives, and their reputation, are put on the line when Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer, arrives. She gives the portent that Galactus is coming to devour the planet Earth.

There is something delightful about seeing this other universe. For once we see a utopian Earth (for the most part) that is fantastical in that technology is retro yet more advanced than we currently have. Flying cars, golden vinyl disks (nice nod to the Voyager probes) and magnetic tapes. All thanks to the Fantastic Four, at least that’s the impression. Also a team that gets on with itself, and isn’t literally fighting each other.

This does make for a more pedestrian first third of the film. A lot of talking, with most of the action reserved for montaged past events. We see a complacent but capable group up-ended by impending destruction. When Julia Garner arrives as Shalla-Bal, the film becomes a different creature. Very fast paced and throws us a lot of lofty concepts very quickly. While not tethered to the greater MCU, without it as a backdrop a lot of this film will seem completely weightless. Why yes, it is a giant man. What’s the problem?

There’s a small group of people annoyed at Garner playing the Silver Surfer. Honestly, I feel like the comics have probably done this already. Plus, I don’t have any problem with a silver woman flying around destroying things? It is pretty cool, honestly.

While it does have a lot of heart and a unique disposition as a “family” of superheroes, it didn’t surprise me especially. Unfortunately a little Pixar movie called The Incredibles exists, and did the “family of superheroes” thing with more energy. Not to mention the other three Fantastic Four movies being recent memory. Johnny Storms orbital confrontation with Shalla-Bal is very similar to a scene in the 2007 movie, for example.
The film isn’t especially funny either. At least, the dialogue is played very deadpan; I wasn’t entirely sure if it was trying to be funny or not. The CGI is also not great. There are a few times it looked positively garish (and it will not age well) with some uncanny valley deepfake/face swapping happening. There’s also some illogic in battles and action sequences that will have audiences ask questions.

These are relatively small nitpicks but they are quite consistent throughout, which might irritate some viewers.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters and can appreciate that this is a more MCU-coded interpretation of the “First Family”. There is a sense of hope for the future with this film, with Thunderbolts* earlier this year. Maybe the MCU can regain lost momentum.

Additional Marshmallows: “The only difference between an egg and a planet is scale.” I’m sorry what?