The Fantastic Four: First Steps, 2025

 


The Fantastic Four: First Steps

"Are we safe? I don't know.”

“Let me make the sacrifice.”

“It's not yours to make.”

-The Fantastic Four: First Steps


    I honestly didn't think this would happen. If you asked me three months ago I would probably tell you that Marvel Studios was headed down a path of no return. A path, by all accounts, that seemed to be dominated by the pursuit of the ever present almighty dollar. Though, after seeing their recent slate of films, that may not be the case. I could be giving them too much credit, but credit is due where credit is due. In any case, Marvel's pursuit of money should not be a factor in a story like this.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fascinatingly resident excavation of the themes of sacrifice and family. At first blink this film may just seem like a charming 60s inspired alternate future journey of a superfamily, coming to terms with their relationship with those they protect. In other words, What is more important, your biological family or the family that has been thrust upon you due to circumstances.
    By all measures, it is a worthwhile question to ask. Yet, First Steps probes deeper than you might expect with this quandary when it adds sacrifice into the mix. Granting us a seemingly unthinkable dilemma. What if the sacrificial choice is the wrong choice? What if our sacrifice destroys our humanity in its wake.
To be clear, this is not a sacrificial death, but the transformation of our very nature. Transforming us into the very evil we sought to assuage with this supposed selfless act. Director Matt Shakman and his team deliver us a film that is profoundly unique in its exploration of sacrifice, while still maintaining an eloquent understanding of its Marvel heritage. Offering us a heart-wrenching rolling of a dice. What if our first steps toward sacrifice ultimately lead us to our very own Doomsday…“I am Iron Man” indeed. Welcome to the Multiverse.

Rated PG-13 for action/violence and some language.

I found The Fantastic Four: First Steps to be visually enthralling, charmingly entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. I hope in some way you do too.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently in theaters.

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