I’m still nauseous from the rollercoaster that has been phases 4 and 5 of the Multiverse Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The emphasis on quantity over quality with the previous regime’s focus on Disney+ diluted the strong brand equity that the previous Infinity Saga phases built with critics and audiences over the course of a decade.
It feels like they’re learning, at least from the standpoint of being unique and bold, as this year’s Thunderbolts* and now The Fantastic Four: First Steps deviate from the monotonous energy and creative restrictions that have plagued the MCU for years. So the good news about Fantastic Four is it has a refreshingly unique voice and identity, especially visually. The production design, costumes, and and cinematography are rich and detailed. It doesn’t look like a typical Marvel movie and that fresh feeling makes it much easier to become immersed in the world.
The bad news is, the writing still appears beholden to comedic and dramatic beats that both feel stiff and forced. There’s numerous not-so-subtle attempts at humor that lean more toward the side of cringe than they do funny. On the flip side, the familial sincerity between characters is a focal point that does offer endearing moments and chemistry. And then in the very next scene it’s awkward or unconvincing, or both.
Now back to some more good stuff. The core four cast do a fine job with their characters, with Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm being a notable standout; he ROCKS and I could listen to him talk all day. The space discovery/escape/chase sequence with Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) is exciting to watch unfold in IMAX. Galactus, however, was a bit of a letdown. His visualization and performance by Ralph Ineson are nice,
but he honestly lacked menace. The writers kept telling me instead of showing me what he’s capable of. I don’t need malice shoved in my face to feel threatened, but I need a little more than a baby. And don’t get me started on that CGI baby!
With all discourse surrounding a new MCU project, there’s a difference between a cameo or character brought to life being cool and the movie actually being good. Galactus is cool to see on screen, but within a film he didn’t completely do it for me. I feel like this distinction gets lost constantly as the superhero movie environment online is absent of any nuance.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a solid step in the right direction for Marvel in terms of visually and tonally creating distinct worlds; rejecting tedious conformity. But Marvel is going to need to step it up with its writing and storytelling to reclaim the cultural grasp it once had.
