Stan Lee along with Marvel’s original publisher, Martin Goodman felt that adding bombastic adjectives to their comic book titles would help boost sales to kids and assist to differentiate characters in their world; the idea most certainly paid off. Both also felt that a team of superheroes would suffice when they started to introduce original superheroes, because at DC, their biggest selling was a team of superheroes of their own-The Justice League. Naturally, the family blend of the Storms and Richards, was forged. And Marvel still being Marvel in the silver age had to incorporate a monster in the team as well, The Thing. Ergo, The Fantastic Four was born. Forged during the time of space exploration was in the American consensus. No doubt the production team behind this film are familiar with it and also very familiar with the tone and theme of the Fantastic Four that fans come to adore. For the first time they finally got the Fantastic Four, right. Absolutely right, including the villains. Nostalgia for a time that wasn’t, but was in the Marvel world is the smartest decision to go with. It is the best Fantastic Four film since Roger Corman’s unreleased 1994 version.

Coming in hard with a great music score and outstanding production design Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fantastic ride. Costuming needs to be appreciated also. All three of those elements of the film are probably going to get some kinds of academy nominations, for one or all three. It is the purest comic book movie Marvel Studios, and very faithful to the Fantastic Four of the comics and the cartoon.  Much like the new “Superman” film we are getting a comic book superhero movie, not a movie based on a comic book.  It isn’t a film that will be a darling for the film critics, but will be in the hearts of many of the fans.  It’s a great blend of comedy and drama. It knows when to be fun and when to be serious. Although the Fantastic Four have an array of villains to battle, its most delicate conflict has always been their conflicts and differences between them. The film handles both flawlessly but not digging deeper, rather keeps most of it above the surface. What absolutely works is the chemistry of actors. You are convinced it is them. 

There is plenty there to enjoy a rewatch and countless others after.  For its second phase Marvel Studios has been struggling and I feel one of the reasons is that it didn’t have the capability to incorporate The Fantastic Four in phase one. For Marvel fans seeing the emergence of its superheroes in the absence of them felt like a huge void. Now that they have the right tone and temperament if they choose to include. It’s hard not to say but Fantastic Four: First Steps is just…. fantastic. 8/10