FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Is A Love Letter To Jack Kirby, And It’s One Of Marvel’s BEST Films EVER

Screw the haters. There’s no need to compare SUPERMAN with FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Both were great films, and both were truer to their comic book roots than the vast majority of comic book films combined. While I love both films, I’m here to talk about FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. And make no mistake, this is a GREAT film. Every frame of this movie sprang 100% from the imagination of Jack Kirby and it is all the better for it.

Also ignore comments of superhero fatigue. People using this phrase are lazy, lack imagination or critical analytical skills. No one is forcing anyone to sit through a movie based on a comic book series, and there are vast differences between FF: FS and the majority of not only Marvel films, but comic book-based films in general. For my money, horror is a pretty well-played out genre that surpasses any so-called superhero fatigue.

One doesn’t need to have watched every Marvel film or TV series – or even previous FANTASTIC FOUR films – to understand the characters or the basic story. The film opens on a very human moment never before seen in any comic book film, then efficiently provides all the basic info on the characters and background before getting into the actual story proper.

Not only are they establishing the characters, they’re establishing actual Fantastic Four history directly from the comics, recreating in live action the cover art from FANTASTIC FOUR issue 1 while at the same time introducing the villain from that same issue – the Mole Man – as he launches his attack on New York City exactly as shown in FANTASTIC FOUR issue 31. While another historic foe, the Red Ghost, isn’t shown, his super apes are seen battling with Mr Fantastic. The Mad Thinker, the Wizard and Diablo are also given shout-outs in the build-up to the arrival of the Silver Surfer, appearing exactly as the character was shown in FANTASTIC FOUR issue 48.

Did I care the Surfer was a female in this version? Not in the slightest, as it’s established we’re watching events unfold on Earth-828. Thus, the multi-verse allows for some discrepancies with comics and MCU continuity. Even with the changes in plot and story details, the film manages to remain incredibly faithful to events that transpired in the pages of FANTASTIC FOUR issues 48 thru 50 while adding in events from FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL 6. The story structure reminded me of the best Bond films that were true to the Ian Fleming novels, making changes only where it made sense for the film.

I’ve heard people – even a well-known comics creator or two – say the film is boring, to which I say, “On what planet?” The film moves like gangbusters, going from one set piece to the next with a sprinkling of quiet family moments that show us how much the characters mean to each other. The trip to find Galactus and eventual getaway was equal parts jaw-dropping, on the edge of one’s seat tense and relief with joy.

The only other criticism I didn’t get was anyone complaining about H.E.R.B.I.E. While I wasn’t enamored with the character in the 1979 cartoon series, he was wonderful here in the film, providing comic relief when necessary and demonstrating his usefulness the rest of the time. The film wouldn’t be the same without him and a return appearance is much warranted.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t praise the work of Cinematographer Jess Hall, whose work was utterly stellar in capturing visuals Jack Kirby himself would be proud of. This is a film that deserves to be seen in 3D IMAX because anything less doesn’t display the full grandeur depicted onscreen, especially the IMAX screen at the AMC Universal 19. I’ve seen it twice in that format and the second time was even better. There were shot compositions I wanted to frame and hang on my wall as they were that astounding.

The film was exceptionally well cast, so much so they visually looked like they stepped out of a Kirby-Sinnott issue of FANTASTIC FOUR. Although Pedro Pascal’s mustache took a little getting used to, as I watched his portrayal of Reed Richards, I couldn’t help but notice overall how much he closely resembled Jack’s depiction on the page. In the end, the entire cast won me over. These were the characters I grew up with and loved for the past 60 years.

Will I see another FANTASTIC FOUR film? If they have this cast, absolutely! What I don’t get are the critics. This film had everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – in spades. It was not only most comic-faithful rendition, it was the most cosmic, the most family-oriented, the most epic, with plenty of charm and humor to spare. It even had a Kirby & Lee blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo set in the Marvel offices adorned with actual Jack Kirby art, with Kirby getting the last word in while Lee was the silent observer. So what was there to criticize and complain about?

If I had to guess why families didn’t turn out as much for this as they did for SUPERMAN has to do with the family budget. Taking a family to the movies these days, especially seeing a film on an IMAX screen, is an expensive proposition. Both of the these films needed to be seen in the IMAX format, but it would’ve been better had both had some breathing room between them, as they both catered to the same audience.

Streaming as upended the theatrical movie-going experience to the point where I no longer go see a film in a theater unless it warrants a premium screen experience. Out of all the trailers I saw before the screening of FF: FS, only the new AVATAR sequel coming for Christmas and possibly PROJECT HAIL MAIL warrant me breaking open the wallet. I can wait for the others that interested me to hit streaming.

My hope now is they at least do a 3D Blu-ray release of FF: FS as I’m not going to bother with the smaller screens at current prices.

As for where this stacks up in my Top 5 Comic Book Films; it’s a toss-up between CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST AVENGER and FF: FS, then WINTER SOLDIER, then BLACK WIDOW, followed by SUPERMAN. I know there will be people who disagree with this list and more power to them. This is my list and the hill I’ll die on. I would say the 1st IRON MAN, DR STRANGE, THE DARK KNIGHT, the 1st CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN and ROAD TO PERDITION fill out my next 5. (Yes, that last one qualifies as a comic book film.)

So yes, if you want a fun, jaw-dropping, exciting thrill ride of a time, you won’t find any better in the theaters this week than FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS.