Latest news with #Galactus
New York Post
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps' review: Ugh, here we go again
movie review FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Running time: 115 minutes. Rated PG-13 (action/violence and some language). In theaters July 25. Calling 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' the best 'Fantastic Four' movie so far is not exactly a quote I'd advise Disney to slap on the poster. Talk about grading on a curve. The last three pathetic attempts to put the story of Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing onscreen have made miserable viewers go, 'Global annihilation? Sounds nice.' Advertisement Not to be deterred, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is dragging the raggedy group out of storage for their 37th movie. That figure is unfortunately not a typo. The result? 'First Steps' marks a slight improvement from the preceding trilogy of terror. But Marvel still can't nail what should be one of its premiere attractions. 'Fantastic Four'? Forgettable, 1 ½. Advertisement The movie begins, appropriately, with a pep in its step. Dropping the heroes in the retro-futuristic NYC that appears to be a technologically advanced 1960s is the right call by director Matt Shakman and his army of screenwriters. There's 'Jetsons' visual panache that sets the film apart from the other, oy, 36. The team's New York lair could be the TWA Hotel at JFK. Also, gold star for racing through the exposition in a newsreel at the beginning — four years ago some astronauts got neat powers in space, yada yada — to avoid the usual origin story portentousness. 5 Pedro Pascal stars as Mister Fantastic in 'Fantastic Four: First Steps.' AP Advertisement However, trembling in fear, 'First Steps,' can't resist the comic-book urge to contort the mood ASAP to grave, gloomy and un-fun for most of the runtime. The stakes may be stratospherically high, but our serotonin levels are low, low, low. For the supes, Marvel has recruited some super serious actors. There's Pedro Pascal, who has probably been frowning so much because he's overworked, as stretchy Reed Richards; Vanessa Kirby, making Medea seem like the life of the party, as vanishing Sue Storm; Joseph Quinn, nervously tip-toeing around genuine comedy, as flaming Johnny Storm; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach with a Zen take on rocky Ben Grimm. Advertisement 5 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' is the best 'Fantastic Four' movie, but that ain't saying much. AP They're all fine, if oddly joyless for people wearing powder-blue 'Star Trek' uniforms. I can't say I ever want to see them play these parts again. Good thing they've been cast in at least two more MCU films through 2027. The Four face a couple foes. There's the humongous Galactus, who is essentially Megatron from 'Transformers.' And his shiny cowabunga hench-woman, the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner. Whose dumb idea was it to cast Garner, one of the most expressive and electric actors working today, as a slab of metal that speaks in monotone? 5 Julia Garner is wasted as the Silver Surfer. ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection Fee-fi-ho-hum Galactus is going to gobble up the world. But he offers the Four another option: He'll slow his roll if Reed and Sue hand over their new baby. The doting parents aren't on board with that plan. So, in a scene that lasts — I kid you not — two minutes, they try and fail to teleport the Earth to another part of the universe. In the end, Galactus goes Godzilla and stomps around Manhattan crushing skyscrapers. Advertisement 5 The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is the closest to a developed character in the movie. AP The Thing, a dude made of rocks, is the closest the movie comes to a fleshed-out person. And only because he cooks pasta and flirts with Natasha Lyonne twice. I'll give 'First Steps' this: It doesn't tie itself in knots making tedious connections to the rest of the MCU. The story is relatively simple, if poorly paced, and the neat aesthetic imagines what an Apple Store would look like during the Kennedy Administration. 5 Director Matt Shakman can't figure out the tone of the quartet of superheroes. AP Advertisement But that's just not enough to prevent Shakman from joining the sorry ranks of filmmakers who couldn't wrap their heads around what the tone of the Fantastic Four should be. Are they funny? Are they grounded? Are they deep? The film is so unbalanced, one wonders if the director and writers donned a blindfold and threw a dart. How dramatic and depressing can a character named Mister Fantastic possibly be? Just you wait. Advertisement During the climactic battle scene, Galactus torturously stretches Mister Fantastic nearly beyond his limits as Pascal wails an excruciating cry worthy of 'One Life to Live.' I, on the other hand, let out a big laugh.
Geek Tyrant
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Review: Marvel's THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Is a Visual Spectacle and a Retro Sci-Fi Treat for Marvel Fans — GeekTyrant
Marvel Studios has finally given fans what they've been asking for, a proper Fantastic Four movie. After years of anticipation and false starts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters this weekend, and for the most part, it's a fun and visually stunning addition to the MCU. While it's not a flawless masterpiece, it does enough to satisfy die-hard Marvel fans and set the stage for even bigger things to come. What stands out immediately is the movie's style. Director Matt Shakman leans hard into a vibrant, 1960s-inspired retro aesthetic, and I loved it! The visuals awesomely pop with color, and the production design feels like a love letter to classic sci-fi with a modern MCU polish. It gives the film a pulpy fun unique flavor that separates it from the usual Marvel fare. The action, though limited to two major set pieces, absolutely delivers. The first big sequence happens early on when the Fantastic Four rockets into space to negotiate with Galactus. It ends with a space chase with Silver Surfer, and It's thrilling, fast-paced, and packed with jaw-dropping visuals. The second epic action set piece is the finale. Galactus arrives on Earth to take something very personal from the team, and what follows is a massive, city-stomping showdown that puts the Fantastic Four to the ultimate test. These sequences are awesome and they make the film worth seeing on the big screen! As for the story, it's… fine. It's straightforward and serviceable, but it won't blow your mind. The biggest issue is pacing. The opening of the film drags with a long origin setup that fans familiar with the Fantastic Four might find unnecessary. For those of us who already know these characters, the first 15–20 minutes feel like a slow crawl before things really kick in. Once the plot finds its groove, though, it's a wild and entertaining ride. Performance-wise, the cast does solid work across the board. Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Storm, easily the emotional core of the movie. She feels like the true lead here, and it works. Pedro Pascal brings charm to Reed Richards, but surprisingly, Mister Fantastic ends up being the least interesting member of the team. He's underutilized, and his powers barely get any showcase. On the flip side, Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm bring personality and heart to the group dynamic, and they're a blast to watch together. The villains are where this film really flexes. Galactus looks incredible… massive, menacing, and gloriously comic-accurate! Ralph Ineson brings a chilling presence to the role, making the Devourer of Worlds feel like an unstoppable force of nature. Then there's Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, who gets a good amount of screentime and adds a compelling dynamic to the story, and there's a interesting dynamic she has with Johnny Storm. Her inclusion opens the door for future stories, and honestly, a solo Silver Surfer film now feels like a must. In the end, The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn't reinvent the MCU wheel, but it does spin it in a fun, visually rich direction. Despite some pacing hiccups and an underdeveloped Reed Richards, the movie succeeds as a exciting cosmic adventure and sets the stage for the monumental events of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Marvel fans, this one's worth your ticket.
CNET
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review: Phenomenal Visuals and Heart-Centered Story Will Satisfy Fans
Welcome to Phase 6 of the MCU, Marvel fans. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is finally here with impeccable visuals that feel like a hymn to Jack Kirby's original vision for this universe and its characters. From the opening credits sequence to its retrofuturistic style and immersive deep space scenes, the imagery is vividly brought to life, directly from the pages of the Galactus comic book trilogy and the early aughts of Kirby's Fantastic Four cartoon run. The Fantastic Four: First Steps officially hits theaters on July 25 as a prerequisite-free story set on Earth-828. Heavy on the sci-fi and tender family dynamic, the film gives us just a little something different in a genre that coasts on the fate-of-the-world-hinges-on-the-decisions-of-its-heroes trope. Kevin Feige has made a point of reminding us that Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ben Grimm/Thing, and Johnny Storm/Torch are Marvel's First Family, and this movie delivers on the authenticity of their bond that makes this a fun -- though sometimes imperfect -- watch. They are connected. And Galactus and the Silver Surfer are treats for comic book fans who worried about their live-action rendering. Serving as an introduction to the Four, the film opens with married couple Reed and Sue having a very human, very everyday conversation in their bathroom, where the pair shares a sweet moment about Sue's new pregnancy. Pedro Pascal is a mature and thoughtful Reed whose combination of scientific genius and a guilty conscience makes him more than the stoic character he's typically known to be. Vanessa Kirby plays a confident and emotionally intelligent Sue, who's equal parts sister, wife and kickass superpowered astronaut/mama bear. Once Johnny (Joseph Quinn) and Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) learn the baby news, it's clear this is a family who loves and protects each other. First Family also means family first. Establishing the family's stakes is core to the narrative because when Julia Garner's Silver Surfer drops down to Earth to herald "his beginning" and mark the planet for death by Galactus, everyone is, and should be, alarmed. What does that mean for the world, its designated protectors and the baby? Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, aka Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Marvel Studios No one knows much about Galactus, and the audience is along for the ride as the team works to figure that out. You've undoubtedly heard some references to The Jetsons, and the technology in this movie -- and H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot -- is intriguing and used to tackle mundane problems and harder stuff like learning about the universe and Galactus. No, it's not like what you've seen in Wakanda or Loki, and the '60s vibes allow for some cool gadgets and the First Family's vehicle. This version of New York City and the rest of the planet is excitingly unlike anything we've seen in the MCU, and you'll appreciate that. Though the Fantastic Four's backstory is quickly highlighted through vibrant flashbacks and discussions about how they obtained their abilities on a mission gone wrong, it's not clear if there were any global threats and villains (like Red Ghost) before they became superheroes and Earth's assigned guardians. That's a sticky point for me. What is evident, however, is that they've never encountered anyone like Galactus, and he's frightening enough to warrant an emergency trip back to space. It's a trip worth taking for viewers. The sights and sounds of the cosmos are abundant and beautiful, and honestly, my favorite scenes in the film are in space. Traveling through stars and wormholes in this MCU story felt immersive, and the Four's attempt to reason with a planet-eating god saw them step into his turf. It's vast, eerie and beautiful. But the first shot of Galactus is both colossal and comic-book accurate. Their first meeting doesn't go as one would hope when Sue and Reed refuse to hand over their child in exchange for sparing the planet, and a cascade of lively action sequences and urgency soon follows. Watching the Human Torch set things on fire and the whole gang take on Silver Surfer -- in outer space -- not only gives us a taste of the danger they face, but also lets each character shine as part of a family of intelligent superhumans who care deeply about each other. The Invisible Woman and the Silver Surfer are not to be toyed with, and you will know that. But what about their decision not to give up their baby to save the world? Is it selfish? Is it right or wise? Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. Marvel Studios It's nice to see heroes admit that they don't know how they're going to handle impending doom -- the possibility that the world will be obliterated. Like every other human on Earth, Reed and Sue want themselves and their baby to be healthy and safe. Everyone is on edge, and for a while, you're on edge, too. Science and cooperation underscore the events leading up to the film's climax and battle of battles. What we know is that Galactus wants to snack on the planet, and this is next on the list. We still don't learn much about his origins or motivations, but it serves as the great big bad for this story and gives these charismatic, heart-first heroes a chance to show off their powers and humanity. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a safe, PG-13 movie that the whole family can watch that doesn't offer up the levels of violence, sadness or dread we've experienced in releases like Daredevil, Guardians of the Galaxy or Multiverse of Madness. Though the plot sometimes ventures into predictability, the 1960s aesthetic set in a world separate from the saga of Earth-616 is a welcome and solid addition to the MCU that helps chart the way for what's to come in Phase 6. Make sure to watch the post-credits scenes for some more Marvel hints and Easter eggs.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fantastic Four: First Steps stuns fans, early reactions rave over its ‘timeless retro-'60s aesthetic'; Details here
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to come out in theaters this Friday on July 25, 2025. Early reactions have been glowing, with user Ashlee Pradella praising the film's "retro-'60s aesthetic." Fantastic Four: First Steps is a vibrant, emotionally grounded the most visually distinct MCU film to date! Bold, sleek, and stunning with a timeless retro-'60s aesthetic. That combined with cast chemistry are the greatest strengths of this FANTASTIC film. The release date for the streaming and digital release of the film is currently unknown. While day-and-date streaming releases for films had become increasingly commonplace in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, film studios have begun emphasizing the theatrical experience ever since lockdowns have lifted. However, going by Marvel's pattern with its prior MCU releases, it can be reasonably estimated that The Fantastic Four: First Steps may release digitally 60 days later, around September. The Fantastic Four: First Steps has positive early reactions Early viewers of The Fantastic Four: First Steps have been showering the film with praises. User Jonathan Sim praised the movie's retro-futuristic production style and said the casting was perfect. #TheFantasticFour: First Steps is a dream come true for Marvel retro-futuristic production design and a perfect cast lead to a standout superhero experience. You love and care about this family as they go up against a formidable fun. User Dan Marcus considered The Fantastic Four: First Steps to be 'the best Marvel film in ages'. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is the best MCU film in ages. Matt Shakman delivers the goods with an emphasis on character and story while still providing the most gorgeous visuals ever conceived for a MCU film. The anatomically correct Galactus has a huge part. Loved this. User The Moonlight Warrior hailed James Gunn's Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps as the 'first steps towards a new era'. How the comic book movie genre turns it all around is by fully embracing the fear, no half measures, just pure weirdness, fantasy and and Fantastic Four are the first steps towards a new era. User Eric Voss called The Fantastic Four: First Steps the most visually dazzling film Marvel had ever produced, and commended Galactus's portrayal. I saw Fantastic Four First Steps!It's the most visually dazzling film Marvel Studios has rocks. He's enough of a reason to see this movie. There are other reasons: the music, the performances, the action, the WORLD.A step in the right direction for Marvel. User Suave2000 said that Marvel 'really cooked' with the movie, praising the story's character focus and lack of multiversal shenanigans. #FantasticFour Just saw Fantastic Four: First Steps and WOW — Marvel really cooked with this one. Retro sci-fi vibes, emotional core, and no multiverse chaos 🙌 Kirby is flawless, Pascal is peak nerd dad energy 🥹, and the team chemistry is flawless. Marvel is BACK. 9/10 The Hashtag Show acknowledged that there was some fatigue around superhero movies, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps signified what made this genre of movies great. You would be right to feel fatigue from comic book movies lately, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps is something that'll bring you back and want more from the genre. Excellent performances and aesthetics highlight this absolute smash of a film. #FantasticFour #TheFantasticFour User Eric Goldman considered the film "delightful" and praised the family dynamics. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is truly delightful. Perfectly captures the FF and their dynamic. I had a big smile on my face throughout it and wow on the awesome production design and visuals. The Fantastic Four: First Steps will release on digital and streaming at a later date The digital and streaming release date for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has not been formally announced. However, Marvel has usually released their films on digital 60 days after release, and on streaming services like Disney+ around 90-100 days after release. This means that the film may arrive for digital rent and purchase sometime in September, with a Disney+ release coming later.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Is Fun For All Ages
The Fantastic Four encounters a threat from across the galaxy in the latest film from Marvel ... More Studios. Someone clearly got the memo. After years of angsty, bleak superhero movies, 2025 is the summer when comic book movies became fun again. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a flashy, colorful retro take on our four astronauts who went to space and returned with super powers. The film is set on a version of Earth that's a mash-up of 1960's fashion and B-movie science fiction. Each frame looks like it was designed by Wes Anderson with set dressing eye candy strewn everywhere. It's the first Marvel film in a long time that I look forward to seeing again so I can take in all the details I missed the first time around. In this iteration of the popular comic book, our titular heroes face a threat from across the galaxy: the world-devouring giant known as Galactus. After a brief opening that presents the origin story of the Fantastic Four in newsreel fashion, the film hits the ground running with the arrival of the Silver Surfer, a herald for Galactus, who warns the people of Earth to enjoy their final days because Galactus has chosen their world to be destroyed, and no force in the universe can oppose him. Well, guess who's going to give it a try? Brute force can't defeat Galactus. It can only slow him down. You must outwit him. Perhaps the perfect person to do so is the smartest man on Earth, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal). Reed is convinced there's a way to save the Earth through science and math. In Reed's world, everything can be turned into an equation. If you can't solve it, you're just looking at it the wrong way. Light speed space travel, wormholes, black holes and other intergalactic action abounds as our heroes, er … stretch their powers to the limit to save their fellow man. Compared to the bloat of the typical Marvel Film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps clocks in at an economical 115 minutes. The plot moves along at a clip with time for small character subplots and humorous banter between big action set pieces. As the film was wrapping up, I was prepared for another thirty minute onslaught of CGI-created mayhem and was relieved when the credits rolled. Not that I wasn't enjoying myself. There was just no need for the film to overstay it's welcome like so many comic book films of the past. It may be blasphemous to cross pollinate the Marvel and DC universes in a review, but Superman and The Fantastic Four share one trait in common: good old-fashioned kindness. In a real world filled with hatred and internet trolls sowing the seeds of conflict twenty-four hours a day, it's nice to sit in an air-conditioned theater with characters whose sole goal in life is to help people. You can roll your eyes if you find a wholesome take on superheroes to be bland or boring. I'd suggest picking up some of the earliest issues of The Fantastic Four to remind you just how on-brand this film actually is.
