PRAISE: Looking back at all of the Fantastic Four movies from the Roger Corman produced 1994 version to the terrible 2015 version Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best of them all for various reasons (even though i found a lot to like in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). When a comic book movies writers (Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson and Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer) actually do their homework for the characters presented in the movie it makes for a very enjoyable experience. The story for the four this time around revolves around them taking on Galactus and his herald Silver Surfer Shalla-Bal with stakes rising throughout the movie. The cast does a great job of fleshing out the hero's including Reed "Mr. Fantastic" Richards (Pedro Pascal); his wife, Sue "Invisible Woman" Storm (Vanessa Kirby); her brother, Johnny "Human Torch" Storm (Joseph Quinn); and Reed's best friend, Ben "The Thing" Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Reed always measuring situations ...even joyous ones with a scientific approach. Sue is loving and caring but tough when she needs to be. Johnny is eager,helpful and humorous. Grimm has a bit of a sad aura but never let's it truly get him down and he's always encouraging. The movie couples all of the aforementioned with how they all interact as a team and a family and it is a pleasure to watch and listen to. Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) looks better on the big screen. I could actually see her features.I also started to see why they went with the Shalla-Bal version of the surfer instead of Norrin Radd. Then there's World Devourer Galactus (Ralph Ineson) the two make an intimidating pair in some truly standout action sequences but at times all Galactus has to do is talk and display a brush you off and you are beneath me attitude. With incredible looking journey through space action sequences coupled with moments that truly stack the decks i definitely felt enveloped in a fun adventure.The 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world worked for me. Thankfully most of the ultra serious moments werent followed by jokes or quips. There are a lot of great call backs to iconic moments in the FF comics and animated series. Unfunny moments in the movie dont last long. The movie hits the right notes from a quiet conversation to scenes that displays the powers of the FF. The end credits scene makes me look forward to the future of the four.
PROBLEMS: The movie needed at least 15 more minutes to flesh out the characters a bit more. I couldnt go along with a decision a character made. Also something didnt ring true for me when a characters judgement and assumptions made of a another was definitely forced and made no sense. Which was later followed by a well we are doing what you were judging me about sequence. The CGI was a bit off here and there. Some moments were a bit clunky.
Scale of 1 to 10 an 8
