‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Finally Does Justice to the Iconic Superhero Team
After decades of cinematic failures, The Fantastic Four: First Steps fulfills the comic-book vision of legendary creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Director Matt Shakman gets top marks for visuals that are far more interesting than the usual bland CGI: The beloved superheroes are instantly recognizable, and the retro-futuristic ’60s production design looks incredible. The Fantastic Four: First Steps embraces a modern sensibility that departs from previous installments, in which Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) was the central focus. Here, Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby) drives the narrative by embodying the strength of motherhood in a deeply personal way.
Set in an alternate universe on Earth 828, the narrative begins in New York City, where the Fantastic Four are established heroes with a proven track record of saving the day. They’re revered for their fearless exploits: There are lunch boxes, billboards and even a children’s cartoon of their crime-fighting success. The team, which includes Sue’s fiery younger brother Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Reed’s best friend — and the world’s best pilot — the rock-like Ben Grimm / The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are introduced through a clever TV promo explaining how cosmic rays in space changed their DNA and gave them amazing abilities.
