The simpler the concept, the harder to adapt, it seems. And it’s easy to see why: simple story concepts often result in more complex characters. When not everything is built on the style of a story, or the surroundings in which it is set, the weight of bearing the narrative is shifted to the character.
Add to this that many of these simpler stories often reflect the values or climate of their times, thus falsely convincing film studios of the need for them to be “updated” for current audiences.
And it has almost never worked.
Be it Superman Returns and Man of Steel or the three previous Fantastic Four movies, the attempted modernisation of these classics has repeatedly failed to achieve the simple: to capture the essence of these characters. This is not to say that they haven’t been enjoyable, or that they aren’t good–it’s just that they mostly failed to capture the source material outside the most superficial of elements.
And, in defying this method of adaptation, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) does justice to the Fantastic Four. Finally.
Not for nothing is the Fantastic Four referred to as Marvel’s First Family. Sure, they’re very easily the first superhero team in the Marvel universe to be related, or as closely knit as a family, but it has always been more than that.
For much of their existence, the family aspect of the Fantastic Four has been a driving factor. They’re adventurers, scientists, explorers, superheroes, and more–but all of those were meant to be secondary to their being a family unit above all else. There was no need to be born with a particular gene or to already be a costumed hero to be accepted. There were no membership cards or secret handshakes (I’m not speaking for Ben and Johnny here, though)–if you are with them, you’re family.
And that’s the entire bedrock upon which The Fantastic Four: First Steps is built.
From the get-go, the movie doesn’t pretend to be your typical superhero story. Origins are delivered entirely by well-crafted exposition, as are many of their early adventures. Their relationships and the chemistry are the primary focus of the movie, the crux of the plot resting firmly on the family aspect as well.
Unsurprisingly, both Ben Grimm (The Thing) and Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) are the easy bet for on-screen favourites.
Joseph Quinn’s take on Johnny is far more heart over balls; his role as an uncle informs a lot more of his actions than in previous iterations, and, while still somewhat juvenile and hot-headed, his purpose in this team is more defined and greater. It’s easier to understand why this Johhny was a member of the Excelsior crew–the ship on which they were exposed to cosmic radiation.
Ben is an interesting case. It can be argued that no matter the problems with every Fantastic Four iteration, Ben Grimm has always been depicted well. Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s typical gruffness comes through, but his underlying tenderness is very much on display, as well. He’s not entirely the tortured Ben we know from earlier movies, but this version has had some time to accept himself for who he has become.
Very pleasantly, Vanessa (of no relation to Jack) Kirby’s Sue Storm shines brighter than her team. While no iteration of Sue has ever been relegated to “token girl”, the character has never really been done justice. For more than half their tenure, Sue’s been the heart and mind of the Fantastic Four, the guiding hand of the team beyond just what they do as superheroes.
Kirby’s Invisible Woman does just that, and reminds us why she’s the most dangerous member in a team where one of them is essentially a flying fireball.
And Pedro… I’ll be honest: as much as I love the actor, I had my reservations regarding his casting. Pedro Pascal is a notoriously nice guy–hell, he could barely pull off being the villain in that Wonder Woman sequel.
But he does spectacularly here, reminding us that Reed Richards, for all of his modern-day ambiguity and ego, was once conceived as the epitome of the science man: he who wanted to help the world, if not heal it.
This Reed is very much a reflection of the MCU’s Tony Stark, even echoing bits of the character’s journey from 2008’s Iron Man all the way through to 2015’s Age of Ultron. Whether we will see the Reed of today’s comics is uncertain, but the possibility is definitely there.
(Also, look out for a throwback to a Maxwell Lord line.)
The only bit that could be considered a letdown might be the amount of Silver Surfer and Galactus that we get. They are, by no means, a minor presence–Julia Garner’s Surfer is foreboding and her scenes border on both eerie and melancholic; Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is nothing short of being cosmically awe-inspiring.
But they’re both also used in the exact amount that they should be, which might be a little less than what the average superhero action-expecting moviegoer might want.
If nothing else, it’s both impressive and relieving that The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t overdo it with the usual MCU action. Characters and motivations come first and stay that way throughout, even dictating the moments within the final showdown. I’d certainly have liked a lot more of Silver Surfer and Galactus, but it’s obvious that there’s potential for their return.
Even connections to the greater MCU are absent, keeping Thunderbolts, or any other prior MCU movie/show, as a purely optional watch.
Much like the recent Superman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is less interested in painting their characters as generic superheroes, even skipping the previously-mandatory origin tale. Instead, these adaptations have opted to dive right into what makes them heroes now, years after emerging as protectors, and going from beloved public figures to, however momentarily, feared and reviled threats.
There is also a very blatant embracing of the characters from the eras where the largest impressions were formed (mostly during the Silver Age), and the portrayal of them as such is unapologetic and highly rewarding.
While this may be the Fantastic Four’s third take-off attempt (fourth if you count the unreleased 1994 film), it truly does feel like they’ve just taken their true first steps.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is out on 24th July.