After the disappointing first Fantastic Four film, 20th Century Fox gave it another try. This sequel avoids common Marvel Cinematic Universe habits while upholding classic family values and setting lofty cosmic stakes goals.
The story takes place on an alternate Earth in the 1960s aesthetic and chronicles their battles against Galactus, an interstellar entity who consumes entire worlds, and his champion the Silver Surfer. In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic
Marvel’s First Family finally finds a home on film! First Steps is an entertaining film that brings Jack Kirby’s vision to life and gives Pedro Pascal an opportunity to demonstrate his talents as Reed Richards.
Beginning as Reed Richards is nearing graduation from school, his science teacher encourages him to pursue research at Baxter Building where he meets future wife Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm (The Thing). Reed’s fate changes after being struck by cosmic rays allowing his body to stretch like rubber; thus becoming part of The Fantastic Four who use their powers for good causes around the globe.
Over the course of their history, the Four have faced many dangers and obstacles, often being called upon to save both planet Earth and other dimensions from danger or even being put under direct attack by villains like Doctor Doom, Silver Surfer or Galactus.
Though their adventures have taken the Four far and wide, they still find time for family life. Franklin and Valeria remain close; they love them deeply. Sometimes the Four find themselves marveling over how incredible their children have become.
Reed is an exceptionally gifted scientist, using his intellect to innovate new technologies. He’s known to other innovative minds such as Tony Stark and T’Challa from Wakanda and has no setbacks in terms of team membership – aside from perhaps having an inflated sense of his own importance! Reed may have some sort of inflated ego but that shouldn’t separate him from other members.
At times, his ego can get in the way of their mission. Once, he made the decision to temporarily disable his son’s psychic powers in an effort to protect him from himself; this led to an extended period of separation with Sue and the team as a result. Additionally, he’s been impersonated by a doppelganger and lost his stretching powers.
His intelligence has remained consistent over the years. Although he may sometimes make errors, his teammates still trust him; and his natural sense of adventure makes him an invaluable member of their team.
Sue Storm/Invisible Woman
Sue Storm, popularly known by her superhero name the Invisible Woman, is a science-minded superhero with an interest in metaphysics. She excels at unarmed combat and swimming; speaking English and Latverian fluently; as well as being a gifted academic with both Bachelor and Master degrees in Psychology from her university education programs.
Sue was the daughter of a wealthy Long Island family. At birth she lost both parents to premature birth complications. Later her father was imprisoned for running an illegal loan shark operation and lived with their aunt Marygay Jewel Dinkins who ran a boarding house; until meeting Reed Richards. Together they provided both companionship and purpose in Sue’s life.
Sue and Reed share a scientific interest, leading them to form the Fantastic Four together. While initially reluctant, Sue quickly comes to embrace her role as Invisible Woman within the team and proves herself an able leader.
Sue initially gained prominence for her ability to render herself or others invisible at will, however as the Fantastic Four have grown into more mature heroes over time, Sue’s abilities have evolved accordingly; now possessing defensive sonokinesis which allows her to alter soundwave wavelengths around herself and others to dampen energy or turn them completely invisible.
She uses her telekinesis to manipulate objects at a distance and can create force fields of various strengths to protect herself or attack enemies.
Sue has participated in multiple mass super hero gatherings since becoming Invisible Woman. Alongside participating in the original Contest of Champions, Sue has joined her fellow heroes to battle Grandmaster’s henchmen En Dwi Gast (aka Sunfire), Matt Murdock (Daredevil), Laynia Petrovna (aka Darkstar), and Australian hero Talisman henchmen en masse against them all.
Sue has discovered her own dark side through her adventures with the Fantastic Four; Malice from Dimension of Manifestations under control of Magus. Although Sue attempts to suppress Malice, its grasp eventually gained control of Sue’s mind until Franklin intervened and stopped it from doing further damage.
Johnny Storm/Human Torch
Johnny Storm, as the youngest member of The Fantastic Four, stands out as bold and impetuous when compared to his overprotective older sister Susan, wiser brother-in-law Reed Richards and grumbling best friend Ben Grimm (AKA The Thing). Johnny can use his powers to completely envelope himself in flames while flying or absorb harmless fire into his body and generate a flaming aura around himself; when activating this full body effect he shouts his signature line “Flame on!” When activating it he shouts out a variation of “Flame On!” When activating it Johnny echoes this catchphrase “Flame On!” and exclaimed it out loud:
The Human Torch is one of the team’s most powerful members and uses his abilities to defeat a range of villains, particularly close combat opponents. Additionally, he can teleport limited range flames originating from himself into limited distance and emit them via hand and foot bolts. Unfortunately for his teammates (particularly Thing), he tends to clash often while remaining caring and loving towards all.
Like his Fantastic Four teammates, Johnny can exchange powers through physical contact with any member, most often after battle when exchanging powers with Silver Surfer; but this can also occur between Sue and Johnny or even with Atlantean Namorita or Skrull agent Lyja in disguised form as Alicia Masters and Inhuman Medusa.
While the movie focused heavily on Reed and Sue’s relationship, we also got a taste of Johnny’s dynamic with his teammates during Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds battle. At one point they are given an ultimatum by Galactus; either watch their planet be consumed by him, or sacrifice themselves to save it.
Ben Grimm’s refusal of “It’s clobberin’ time!” may have been intentionally chosen as an iconic catchphrase to show Johnny and his teammates’ dynamic, as well as emphasize their distinct personalities. This move likely was wise, as it helped demonstrate Johnny and company’s unique identity as a unit.
Ben Grimm/The Thing
Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four is beloved among readers and other heroes alike, but no other member is as loved. While his relationships with other heroes may sometimes be tenuous, Ben remains a reliable pillar who always remains strong when needed – an example being Spider-Man pugilist Peter Parker, mutant Wolverine and patriot Steve Rogers (AKA Captain America).
Growing up on New York City’s Yancy Street made Ben street-smart and tough from an early age. Though his family was poor, Ben never let circumstances define him and eventually led the local gang. Following the murder of his older brother, he moved in with his aunt and uncle before later becoming an Air Force pilot himself – until cosmic radiation altered his DNA and transformed him into The Thing.
Once known as The Thing, he battled monsters on earth and in outer space, fighting alongside fellow super heroes such as Hulk, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider. But his unique appearance caused many people to make fun of him; particularly due to his rock hard exterior that made him an easy target of ridicule from many.
Reed Richards had undertaken an exhaustive and painful search to restore Ben to human form, but this treatment proved only temporary; Ben would eventually mutate back into rocky form at unpredictable intervals. Reed tried everything he knew to make Ben feel normal again but never found a lasting solution.
Grimm formed an intimate bond with Alicia Masters during his years with the Fantastic Four, even though his outcast status made him outcast often. But, with time, their love blossomed as their relationship continued to develop despite having to live among other outsiders on Monster Island; Grimm managed to fight back and defend his home – something many others couldn’t.
Previous film adaptations of the Fantastic Four had dramatically understated and oversimplified Ben’s powers, yet Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s participation is sure to bring his character more accurately into focus and deliver an engaging performance as part of Marvel’s First Family. Audiences can expect years of enjoyment and fun!