The Fantastic Four First Steps review: Whistle worthy reboot that lands big and leaves with Doom drop

Stars: 3.5/5

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson

Director: Matt Shakman

New Delhi: It’s clobbering time! Marvel is back with a bang and this time, they have returned with a baby. A baby that will become the center of the new Avengers universe. The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s third attempt at launching the beloved superhero quartet on the silver screen and it finally nails the landing.

Packed with humour, punchlines, emotional depth and cosmic-scale action, the film delivers what they have been waiting for ever since the Avengers: Endgame concluded. The film is character-driven and is a spectacle that is bold, heartfelt and engaging. The director Matt Shakman keeps the essence of the comics intact and finally, justifies the storyline.

From the get-go, the director wastes no time in retelling the origin story that we already know. The four scientists, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm encounter a cosmic storm during a space mission that alters their DNA and grants them extraordinary superpowers, making them the protectors of Earth. The film doesn’t linger long on their transformation and jumps to present day where the team of superheroes is already in sync, loved by the public and soon, deals with a threat that no superhero has ever faced before, a deadly, planet-sized cosmic villain named Galactus, who wants to consume earth just like he did with other planets, which can only be spared if Richard and Sue sacrifices their son, who is born with infinite superpowers. His slave is, Silver Surfer, who is a woman this time and looks for planets for him to consume.

What makes The Fantastic Four: First Steps stand out in the Marvel catalogue is its emotionally intelligent storyline, parenthood vs apocalypse. The pregnancy subplot involving Reed and Sue, which forms the film’s moral core. The idea of Galactus demanding their unborn child in exchange of sparing Earth brings one of the Marvel’s most intense and symbolic conflicts. But, soon, Galactus gets obessed with the idea of getting the child so that he can finally rest. But, how far will you go to protect your child, even if that child could change the universe? Sue says in the movie that she can move "heaven and Earth” to protect her baby and she does rightly so.

Just when you think that this time, no cars will be thrown and no buildings will be smashed, the team of superheroes decide to invite Galactus to New York’s Times Square. Galactus arrives and smashes cars like a car toy and uproots trees to smell them and of course, buildings are smashed.

The climax at Times Square, where Galactus attempts to abduct the newborn is classic Marvel chaos with skyscrapers crumbling, cars flying and citizens fleeing. But amidst the face off and high-octane action sequences, the film blends emotional quotient, giving audiences double-whammy of thrill and heart.

Pedro Pascal shines as Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic, who brings a grounded vulnerability to the role. As a scientist, husband, and a father, Reed is torn between protecting Earth and safeguarding his son. His performance adds emotional depth to a character who can come across as cold or over-calculated.

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm is both graceful and fierce. As a mother, wife and superhero, she anchors emotional heart and bravery. Her protiveness for her son in the face of cosmic danger elevates the stakes.

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm brings the fire, literally. With his cocky charm, humour and Casanova energy, he delivers some of the memorable punchlines but when it comes to family, he’s all heart. Johnny surprises with emotional depth as ‘Uncle Johnny’ when it’s needed most.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm aka The Thing is comedic most valuable player. His dry wit and perfectly timed one-liners make him instantly lovable. Bonus is that this version of Ben is chiseled, bearded and much more agile, which is a welcomed change from the bulky brick-of-a-man we have seen before.

The real twist comes in the form of Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer or The Herald as she is known. With her chilling presence and a tragic backstory, she arrives to Earth to warn them about ‘The Devourer’ coming to consume Earth. She delivers a haunting and powerful performance that balances elegance with menace. She becomes a key part of the unfolding cosmic puzzle and to also solve it.

Marvel’s VFX team is clearly in top form. From galactic storm to Galactus’ towering presence, every frame feels rich, immersive and cinematic. The action sequences are crisp and inventive, especially the space battle and the Times Square showdown. The humour too lands effortlessly with punchlines that feels earned rather than forced. The films knows that it’s finally getting the Fantastic Four formula right and takes joy in showing it.

Just when you think that the film couldn’t leave you more excited, the post-credit scene drops a game changer, Doctor Doom makes a shadowy appearance, teasing what’s next for the Marvel cinematic universe. It’s brief, it’s chilling and it’s more exciting than some entire MCU movies in recent memory. The post credit scene also states that Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is exactly what Marvel needed. It’s clever, humourous, heartfelt and action-packed. With perfect performances, a grounded emotional arc and a cosmic villain, the film isn’t just a reboot but a rebirth for Marvel.