Fantastic Four has had a torrid time at the cinema. There were the 2005 and 2007 versions with Jessica Alba that were fine but nothing special and then there was the 2015 Josh Trank which had some interesting moments but was a car wreck with one of the worst combinations of leading characters that there had been for quite a while. 10 Years later we have a new attempt to try and make these four characters work and continue the current MCU phase. This time we get Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach & Joseph Quinn as the new fantastic four. The story is set on an alternate version of Earth and at this point they already have their powers so we don't have 40 minutes to an hour worth of origin stuff. Things are going well until the arrival of the Silver Surfer who tells them that the earth is going to get destroyed and we learn that the Silver Surfer is working for Galactus who is played by Ralph Ineson. The only way that Galactus will spare earth is if Sue Storm gives up her newborn, which she and the rest of the team refuse to do.
There is plenty to like in this film. Firstly the film is set in an alternate earth but there is a hint of 1960’s from the furniture to the costumes and also the whole vibe is trying to make it seem very different to most Marvel films if not all of the Marvel films is to create something that isn't set in outer space and yet isn't set in modern day earth so in that sense this is quite refreshing. Another thing I like are the leads. I think we are getting to the point where Pedro Pascal is reaching saturation point by seemingly appearing in everything. Vanessa Kirby is quite good as Sue Storm and Joseph Quinn is perhaps the best of the four with Moss-bachrach doing his best under the CGI/Prosthetics. As a foursome they have great chemistry and you end up caring about them and wanting them to succeed. It’s nice to have superheroes that aren't hated by the general public. After seeing this in Superman it was refreshing that they seem to be liked. The big battle sees the Fantastic Four battle Galactus and the thing about this is that it didn't feel like it went on forever. It lasted exactly the right amount of time and Galactus was made to feel like a big enough threat but clearly not one that is going to be the backbone of the next phase of the MCU.
It does perhaps take a while to get going but once it does it never stops and I found myself entertained by what is happening. There is enough to feel like you are watching a superhero movie but it doesnt feel like its getting bogged down with public expectations like a lot of recent Marvel films.
I thought that after Thunderbolts*, it was too soon to say that Marvel were back but I do think that after seeing this film, its an argument that could be made. Thats two very good and highly enjoyable Marvel films in a row and it shows that have gotten over their creative slump that seems to have lasted several years and its crazy that the same studio that released The Fantastic Four: First Steps & Thunderbolts* is the same studio that released the dross that was Captain America: Brave New World.
There are two end credits with one being the appearance of Doctor Doom but we don't see Robert Downey Jr’s face so it may not have been him and that is clearly a lead into the next Marvel film which will most likely be Avengers: Doomsday and the second is an animated Fantastic Four which is fine but nothing really substantial. I do think the first one is better because at least it appears to lead to something. Not sure how all this will connect with what we saw at the end of Thunderbolts* where the Fantastic Four ship appears but I suppose time will tell.
Overall this is a fun Marvel film and I can see it doing well because everyone can get something from this film from die hard comic book fans to people like myself who have a passing interest in comic book movies. Good stuff.
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