Film Name: 神奇4俠：初露鋒芒 / The Fantastic Four: First Steps
It’s been less than a week since its release, and it’s already hard to find screenings. Just a few days late, and I almost missed it… A few years ago, you wouldn’t believe this was the treatment a new Marvel movie would receive… But this is precisely the reality faced by “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (hereinafter referred to as “The Fantastic Four”).
While it’s now common for Hollywood films to underperform in the Chinese mainland market, it’s still striking to think that “Captain America 4” managed over 100 million in box office revenue earlier this year, and “Thunderbolts*” also performed decently a couple of months ago. However, after watching the film, I feel that “The Fantastic Four”‘s poor box office and critical reception are well-deserved.
If this film were purely terrible, perhaps it would have generated more buzz… However, the truth is that it’s not a bad film; both the production and the cast are worth watching. Unfortunately, when put together, the actual result is quite mediocre. The theme is ambitious, the actors don’t click, and the script is very conservative and timid. I watched it for nearly two hours and couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.
Anyway, at this point in time and given the circumstances, I’ll just share a few thoughts on “The Fantastic Four” based on my impressions.
The film’s greatest strength and selling point is its unique “retro-futuristic” sci-fi aesthetic style. On one hand, there are vintage cars, bulky TVs, and film cameras from the 1960s and 1970s. On the other hand, there are rocket launch pads in Manhattan, hovering spacecraft, and abstract scientific equipment. These jarring designs are seamlessly integrated into a single world, featuring vibrant colors, unique shapes, and a blend of novelty and intrigue.
Beyond the material setting, the film’s portrayal of society and its people is also intriguing. It feels as though the world after winning World War II was untouched by the shadow of the Cold War, while also being protected by superheroes, presenting a thriving, economically prosperous America.
However, “The Fantastic Four” failed to strike the right balance in its portrayal of the “people”—at its core, this is still a superhero film centered on individual heroism. The general public merely needs to play the roles of cheering, being startled, and being rescued; adding too much depth to their characters would immediately reveal their limitations.
But the film not only adds unnecessary scenes but does so in various ways: selfish power struggles, empathetic forgiveness, and even the construction of “planetary conversion machines” around the world in just a few days, reminiscent of “The Wandering Earth”… I was left speechless when I saw it. Adding the right details can enhance a work, but adding too many only detracts from it.
The characters in the film are hard to describe, and this is probably the aspect of the film that disappointed me the most.
The actors playing the “Fantastic Four” are actually quite good. The popular actor “Pei Di” plays Mr. Fantastic Reed (so famous he needs no introduction), Vanessa plays the Invisible Woman Sue (who has risen to new heights after “Black Widow,” appearing in both commercial and art films), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Eddie from “Stranger Things,” who has been quite visible in recent years), and Abigail Breslin as Ben Reeder (from “The Bear” and “Andor”)… They have the acting skills, the looks, and the unique qualities, but unfortunately, by the end, they don’t feel like a family.
Pedro and Vanessa don’t have any chemistry. Pedro, perhaps because the roles he’s played in recent years have all been either tragic or comedic, seems out of place playing a serious superhero family leader, looking tired and out of sorts. Meanwhile, Vanessa’s independent demeanor makes it seem like she doesn’t need Reed at all—she could conceive and raise a child on her own.
Joseph and Aban, on the other hand, have some comedic chemistry, and their performances are slightly better than the previous two. However, the film doesn’t fully explore their potential.
In short, the cast of “The Fantastic Four” is like holding a great hand of cards but playing them poorly (like having four aces but choosing to play them one by one instead of using them as a flush).
Finally, I can’t help but criticize the film’s plot structure, which jumps too quickly and has too much disparity between the beginning and end, especially with the Planet Eater being derailed by “The Demon Child’s Descent” (or was that the intended main plot from the start?)…
The climactic scene where the Fantastic Four and Franklin set a trap for the Planet Eater is also… ummm… “dumpling-making” is an objective necessity, right?
Thinking about it, it’s still a bit disappointing. I had hoped that Kevin Feige’s return to Marvel would turn around the MCU’s declining fortunes. Objectively speaking, the reshoots for Captain America 4 and the unconventional approach of Thunderbolts did have some effect… but “The Fantastic Four” serves as a reminder of the harsh reality that “the road is long and arduous.” Even with a wealth of quality resources at your disposal, changing the course of a “trend” is by no means an easy task.
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