Review: "Fantastic Four: The First Steps"

Marvel’s Fantastic Four made their very first Comic Book appearance in The Fantastic Four published in November 1961. They were re-adapted for television in 1968 and radio in 1975, though neither series lasted particularly long. The television series lasted for just 20 episodes, though they aired on repeat for a year. (The TV series was produced by Hanna-Barbera productions, the company who also produced The Flintstones (1960-1966), The Jetsons (1962-1963) and Scooby-Doo Where Are You? (1969-1978)). 

The first official “Fantastic Four,” film was produced in 1994, but it was never released due to copyright infractions. Constantin Film, the studio who owned the film rights to the characters, later, sold the rights to 20th Century Fox, resulting in their own “Fantastic” movie in 2005, and a sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007. When Disney, acquired Fox, they produced a remake in 2015. The Disney folks said we hadn’t had enough, releasing The Fantastic Four: The First Steps this past weekend.

In Fox’s original remake of “Fantastic Four,” Mr. Fantastic and The Invisible Woman were portrayed by Ioan Gruffud and Jessica Alba, and their characters were love interests who had dated, but had broken up and weren’t on good terms. That plot focused on whether or not they would reconcile. In “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby play the respective roles as a married couple faced with the pressures of becoming first-time parents. Although the character development is slightly different, it’s equally enjoyable.

This film has a great message of what it means to work together as family and/or team—and to maintain integrity in the process. The four characters: Mr. Fantastic and The Invisible Woman (aka Dr. Reed Richards and his wife Sue Storm), Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (The Thing) get on each other’s nerves at various times and hurt each other’s feelings in the process, but they learn to forgive each other and love each other, and never leave a single person behind.

Besides Pascal and Kirby, Joseph Quinn portrays The Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays “The Thing.” Ralph Ineson plays the Four’s nemesis, Galactus. The film is directed by Matt Shakman who makes his feature film debut as director. He is no stranger to MCU, however, having previously directed the MCU/Disney+ streaming series WandaVision (2021). The film’s music is composed by Michael Giacchino, the Oscar-winning composer of Disney/Pixar’s Up (2009). The film also features cameos by the four actors who starred in the 1994 “Fantastic Four,”: Alex Hyde-White (the original Mr. Fantastic), Rebecca Staab (the original Invisible Woman), Jay Underwood (the original Human Torch), and Michael Bailey Smith (the original The Thing).

All in all, “The Fantastic Four: The First Steps,” is a solid offering, bringing “humanity” to the Marvel Universe—even with some “dry humor” moments. The story alone is the best part, making the journey with this iteration of the four main characters worth taking. I especially appreciated its focus on family and teamwork. 

Review: "Superman"

Superman made his very first Comic Book appearance in the series Action Comics in Issue #1 of the series, published on April 18th, 1938. Two years following, the character was adapted for radio, airing from 1940-1951 (2,088 episodes). Paramount Studios produced a cartoon series that aired in movie theaters from 1941-1943, and the character was incarnated again in a Broadway Musical: It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman in 1966, featuring music and lyrics by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, the team behind Bye Bye Birdie. (Strouse also wrote the music for Annie (1977).) The superhero was finally given the live-action treatment in Superman (1978), starring Christopher Reeve, and spawning three sequels. Nearly five decades after Christopher Reeve first wore the iconic red-and-blue suit, David Corenswet dons it in James Gunn’s new film Superman (2025). Here are my thoughts:

David Corenswet re-defines “Superman” in his performance. Instead of playing him as all-macho, he brings out the “human” side of Superman, playing him as more of “Average Joe,” a person who is not-at-all perfect, but always does the best he can. The Superman embraces success with failures, gives love, and hopes that he’ll be loved in return. Corenswet brought qualities more typical of a Tom Hanks and/or James Stewart character.

Unlike previous Superman movies, James Gunn’s “Superman,” has a surprisingly powerful message of what it means to be human: When we rely on technology too much and allow ourselves to becomes slaves to it, we can allow technology to convince us that we’re not good enough or that we’re never going to be good enough. But, when we pay attention to what’s real, and the friends and/or family that we love, it can inspire each of us to wake up every morning, always try to do the best we can, embrace joy with pain—and along the way, know that we are loved. In other words, in life all you have to be is yourself, and that’s good enough. 

“Superman,” features the tip-top cast of David Corenswet as Superman and his alter-ego, Clark Kent, and Emmy Winner Rachel Brosnahan as his love interest, Lois Lane. Additional cast includes Nicholas Hoult as Superman’s ruthless enemy Lex Luthor, and Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan as Superman’s Kryptonian parents. The film was written and directed by James Gunn who also wrote and directed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2014-2023) franchise. The film’s Cinematography was done by Henry Braham, who did the Cinematography on “Guardians 2 (2017) and 3 (2023)”, and the film’s music was composed by David Fleming and John Murphy. (Murphy also composed the music for “Guardians 3 (2023).”)

All in all James Gunn’s “Superman” is the best superhero movie we’ve had in a really long time. It has something for everyone to enjoy: great cast, breathtaking cinematography, stunning special effects, and an inspiring message. You don’t have to be a fan of the Superman character to enjoy this movie, though if you weren’t one to begin with, you likely will become one after you’ve seen it.