MovieRankingReviews

The Fantastic Four is one of Marvel's most iconic teams, yet they've never quite been done justice in a live-action film, until now. The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks Marvel's first attempt at rebooting the team since regaining the rights to the IP. With the underwhelming Multiverse Saga still fresh in viewers' minds, the pressure was on. So, is this a fantastic first step or just another misstep from Marvel?

If there's one thing Marvel consistently excels at, it's casting, and that continues to be the case here. Vanessa Kirby is phenomenal as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), bringing warmth and kindness to the character, while also showing plenty of strength and resolve. When Sue gets angry, it's genuinely impactful. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is equally excellent as Ben Grimm (The Thing), perfectly embodying the "monster with a heart of gold" persona. Joseph Quinn delivers a terrific performance as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), capturing the flirty, high-energy charm the character is known for. Pedro Pascal, though initially a controversial choice for Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), proves the skeptics wrong. He portrays the brilliant yet socially awkward leader with nuance and charisma. The chemistry among the core cast is fantastic. You really believe they're a family, and the banter between Ben and Johnny is especially fun and endearing. Julia Garner shines as the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson's voice work as Galactus is superbly menacing.

One of the film's smartest choices is skipping the traditional origin story. The origin is covered briefly in an opening sizzle reel, which allows the movie to dive straight into the action without unnecessary exposition. The story itself is engaging: the Silver Surfer arrives, heralding the impending destruction of Earth by Galactus. The Fantastic Four must face a threat unlike anything they've encountered before. At its core, the film is about family, and that theme is tested throughout the narrative. Another highlight is that the film isn't set in the mainline MCU universe. This standalone approach makes it more accessible to newcomers, without requiring prior Marvel "homework." The film also benefits visually from this creative freedom, boasting a 1960s retro-futuristic style that's both bold and beautiful.

The strongest element of the film is undoubtedly the characterization of the team. The script doesn't shy away from Reed's flaws. His intelligence can make him seem cold and controlling, something the character is painfully aware of. Johnny Storm, often portrayed as just a hothead, is given more depth here. He's still charming and impulsive, but also brave and clever. The CGI is well done overall; while early concerns were raised about the Silver Surfer's look, the final product is impressive. And finally, we get a Galactus who isn't just a giant cloud, he's a visually stunning and a genuinely threatening presence. A standout space sequence in the second act is a particular visual treat. The costumes are spot-on, perfectly matching the retro aesthetic, and Michael Giacchino's score may be one of Marvel's best yet. The Fantastic Four theme is especially memorable and sticks with you long after the credits roll.

That said, the film isn't without flaws. At just 114 minutes, it feels a bit short for a superhero film. Some characters get less development than they deserve-most notably Ben Grimm, who lacks a major character arc or standout moment. Supporting characters like Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser) and Lynne Nichols (Sarah Niles) feel underused. Galactus, while impressive, doesn't appear as much as one might hope. Similarly, Reed Richards barely uses his stretching powers, which is a bit of a letdown. The film is also relatively light on action, likely due to the overwhelming nature of Galactus as a villain. There's a quick montage of the team in action early on, but it feels like some of this may have been cut down.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is truly a fantastic step in the right direction for Marvel. This film completely nails the family dynamic and the characterization of these iconic heroes. It brought me so much joy to finally see these characters done justice on the big screen. While not a perfect leap forward, it's a strong and confident first step and I can't wait to see what the next step is for the Fantastic Four!

Sony Pictures Animation has delivered an outstanding original animated film, something that's been sorely missing from Disney and Pixar lately. The movie features a stunningly beautiful animation style that seamlessly blends 2D and 3D, compelling world-building, fluid and thrilling action set pieces, and a fun, lovable main trio. To top it all off, it boasts phenomenal K-pop music!

While the plot is fairly predictable and the third act feels a bit rushed, the film would have benefitted from being about 10 minutes longer. It also leaves a number of dangling plot threads that seem to be setting up a sequel.

Still, this was an absolute surprise! With a title like that, I wasn't expecting something so thoroughly enjoyable.

It's been 12 years since Superman's last solo outing, and this new film not only marks his return but also launches James Gunn's revamped DC Universe (DCU). I've always had a soft spot for Man of Steel (2013), though Batman v Superman (2016) left me disappointed. So the question is: does this fresh reboot soar or crash?

The new cast is superb. David Corenswet had enormous shoes to fill, but he absolutely delivers. He captures Superman's inherent kindness and warmth, while adding a layer of vulnerability that makes the character feel more grounded and human. Rachel Brosnahan is equally strong as Lois Lane, bringing intelligence and charisma to the role, and her chemistry with Corenswet is genuine and compelling.

Nicholas Hoult is a standout as Lex Luthor, delivering an obsessive, petty, and sharply calculated performance. It's exactly the kind of Lex we've been missing. Among the supporting cast, Nathan Fillion is a delight as the cocky Guy Gardner Green Lantern, but the biggest surprise is Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific. He brings a fun, confident energy that steals more than a few scenes. Gunn continues to excel at spotlighting lesser-known heroes and making them shine.

Where Snyder's Superman was often criticized for being too somber, Gunn takes the opposite route, offering a hopeful and optimistic version of the character. Watching Superman save people and not just punch things, is a genuine joy, and some of the film's most memorable moments come from these heroic rescues. The film is bright, colourful, and visually rich, with several beautifully composed shots and creative action sequences. A kaiju battle and a slick, one-take Mister Terrific sequence are particular highlights.

John Murphy does a good job with the music score and his new rendition of the classic John Williams Superman theme is magnificent. He doesn't overuse license music like he did with The Suicide Squad or Guardians of the Galaxy but there are some that are used and thankfully they do work very well in the film.

That said, the film isn't without its flaws. At times, it feels overstuffed. There are simply too many characters, and not all of them get the development they deserve. Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, in particular, feel underutilized, barely contributing to the plot and undergoing vague off-screen arcs that aren't clearly explained.

The movie also juggles a wide array of themes: immigration, legacy, family, politics, romance, war, media, and the ethics of heroism. While each idea is intriguing on its own, the film spreads itself too thin, touching on these concepts without fully exploring any of them. For example, the contrast between Superman's unwavering moral compass and the Justice Gang's murkier code is compelling, but the film never digs deep enough into it.

Another slight letdown is how often Superman finds himself on the receiving end of beatdowns. While it is clearly done to show how effective Lex is as a villain, it would've been nice to see more scenes of Superman at his most powerful. Additionally, Clark Kent's life as a reporter is barely touched on. There's disappointingly little of the classic curly-haired, glasses-wearing Kent persona.

James Gunn also changes a huge element to Superman's backstory and mythos which is fine but it does raise some questions. It felt like a big mistake for James to not touch upon it at the end of the film when the opportunity was clearly there.

Superman may not be the masterpiece some were hoping for, but it's a heartfelt and highly entertaining return for the character. It balances comic book spectacle with a refreshing tone of optimism, and lays a promising foundation for the DCU. If this is the direction James Gunn is taking us in, I'm excited to see what's next.