Before Peter Parker Netze swung before the Hulk struck before the Deadpool, Wolverine, Wakanda, Mutanten, Infinity stones and cinematic universes-there were the “Core Four”. You can divide the history of the superhero comics into a before and afterwards when it comes to the creation of the Fantastic Four through Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The publication of the first edition in November 1961 marks the Big Bang of the Marvel age. The story was simple: four astronaut trips to space and return with superpowers. They fight against evil together because they share a moral core. And because they are a family, they argue Enjoy themselves and eat together – something that was missing from other super groups. A revolution was born.
The best adaptation so far – with drawbacks
Despite their key role in the Marvel cosmos, the Fantastic Four in the cinema always had the image of a third-class class. Due to such a complicated rights saga that even the confusion of the MCU looks simple, the adventures of the quartet were the basis of several failed or never started franchise attempts. There were three (technically four) previous canvas versions of the FF – none of them really convinced.
To say that “Fantastic Four: First Steps” is the best film adaptation of Mr. Fantastic, the invisible, the human torch and the thing, means above all that you jump a low bar. However, the WorldBuilding around the group is a real performance. Whether hardcore fan or occasional viewers-one is impressed by the ringing, lively New York, the cosmic worlds à la Kirby and the way director Matt Shakman and his team revive for the first five years of the comic series with almost uncanny loyalty. Yes, we finally have a “Four” that is worthy of blockbuster treatment. No, this half -hearted introduction to the MCU does not fully raise the curse of the previous canvas adventure.
The decision to settle the film in a 1960 setting à la Kirby/Lee is a stroke of genius for many reasons. Long -standing readers will cheer the first edition of the first edition in the faithful. TCM fans will celebrate the “Space-Age Bachelor-Pad” design that Juan Esquivel would stir into tears. And MCU tired will only appreciate the visual freshness of “First Steps”. Shakman, responsible for Wandavision-the TV highlight of Marvel Studios-once again proves his talent for the detailed revival of past aesthetics.
Alternate World, retro charm and great threat
In addition, even if it is clear that Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) will be mixed in Kevin Feiges Marvel operetta, first steps plays in an alternative world in which the Fantastic Four are the only superheroes. The Origin story is dealt with in the style of the Apollo-11 countdown via clip assembly, underlaid with sound effects of the radiation storm, which transforms it.
This is followed by a talk show intro, which serves as the capsule history of her heroic deeds: the fight against the mole man (Paul Walter Hauser)! The victory over the mutated monkeys of the Red Ghost (unfortunately without John Malkovich)! These flashbacks are aimed at fans from the very beginning, but the cheering Kennedy era masses clearly position: the four are long public heroes. They are alone between rescue and doom. Remember that.
The double strike follows four years of heroism later: First the good news – Reed and Sue expect a child. Then the shock-a mysterious figure appears from the sky: Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), better known as the Silver Surfer. In the comics a melancholic alien with space surfboard, here more the galactic showpiece of a bonnet-but the job remains the same: it announces that the earth will soon be destroyed. Your boss? Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a gigantic being that devours the planet. Bad news.
Galactus offers a deal: earth against baby. The unborn child is “a being of infinite power”. Connoisseurs know. The rest just has to believe it. The answer of the four: no. The fact that they prefer one life to the fate of many, they don’t make them popular at home.
Galactus, surfer, Franklin – a lot at once
Designing the start with the legendary “Galactus trilogy” is clever-it combines cosmic bombast with emotional depth, typical of the best FF comics, and offers the opportunity for visual gimmicks à la Kirby. At the same time, she brings two fan favorites into play that are central to FF history. The fact that this story is linked to the story about the Richards-Storm baby-Franklin, as it is called later-is a courageous decision. It makes the impending end more personal, increases the already high risk – and significantly overloads the film towards the middle. At the same time, six screenwriters try to honor the inheritance, to establish a new franchise column and to get the whole thing to crack.
Great actors, too little focus
“First Step” s has the best ensemble that fans could want for the legendary super family. Vanessa Kirby shines with the most emotional scenes as a peace prisoner and becoming a mother. The well-known contrasts-the stretchy reed as a narrow-minded rationalist, the rocky Ben-Herz, the invisible but powerful Sue, the heat-headed Johnny-are all available.
What is missing is the interpersonal dynamic that shaped the comics. The retro aesthetics dominates so much that the figures themselves become almost a minor matter. You remember the chic sets, not the fights. And the action is so breathless through the stations that there is no time for real character development. Even at home, plotpoints and a sweet robot called Herbie interrupt every dialogue.
Style about substance?
Once again you have the feeling of seeing a “Fantastic Four” film that puts your strength over your personalities. Once again they appear in their own film. And once again everything becomes the establishment of the next large MCU chapter. The more important of the two post-credit scenes clearly indicate where to go-and who we see there. Sure, better adventures are imminent, and “First Steps” is the beginning to make the FF an important part of the MCU. But talking about “fantastic” would be exaggerated.