Review: Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best film version so far

Summary

Shakman wanted a very 1960s aesthetic for his reboot, citing Kubrick films from that era as inspiration, right down to his choice of camera lenses. And the film definitely delivers on that score. The Four's penthouse headquarters is pure midcentury modern, with Reed's lab divided into three rooms differentiated by bright primary colors. Then there's all that retrofuture technology: Johnny Storm records mysterious signals from space onto golden record platters and plays them on an old-school turntable, for example, and the team's Fantasticar is straight out of sci-fi's Golden Age. And you couldn't ask for a better main cast: Pascal, Kirby, Moss Bachrach, and Quinn all have great chemistry and effectively convey the affectionate family dynamic that comprises the central theme of the film. That's essential, particularly since we've mostly skipped the origin story; the characters are familiar, but this incarnation is not. They banter, they bicker, they have heart-to-hearts, and the inevitable tensions in Reed and Sue's marriage that a new baby brings—occurring just as the Earth faces annihilation—feel entirely believable. The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) heralds the coming of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the destruction of Earth. The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) heralds the coming of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the destruction of Earth. Johnny Storm has a moment with the Silver Surfer at the edge of Earth's atmosphere. Johnny Storm has a moment with the Silver Surfer at the edge of Earth's atmosphere. The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) heralds the coming of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the destruction of Earth. Johnny Storm has a moment with the Silver Surfer at the edge of Earth's atmosphere. And baby makes three... er, five. And baby makes three... er, five. The shadow of Galactus falls on New York City. The shadow of Galactus falls on New York City. And baby makes three... er, five. The shadow of Galactus falls on New York City. And then there are the cons, which boil do...