The new Fantastic Four film is a fascinating puzzle, a cosmic mixed bag that lands firmly in “good, not great” territory, earning a solid 7/10.
Let’s start with what truly shines: the visual aesthetic. The movie masterfully nails a retro-futuristic style, a vibrant blend of ’60s optimism and sleek sci-fi that feels both fresh and classic.
And the big bad? Galactus is handled with surprising grace. The film commits to him as a genuinely challenging, awe-inspiring threat, culminating in a spectacular and well-earned climax in the final twenty minutes that is easily the highlight of the movie.
However, where the film excels visually, it falters emotionally. The new cast, while trying, never quite clicks. They lack the essential family dynamic that made the 2005 crew so memorable, making their interactions feel underwhelming. This lack of connection is most apparent in the botched attempt to build an emotional core around Franklin… a major missed opportunity.
The background music doesn’t help, often feeling like a collection of generic stock tracks rather than a cohesive score.
Ultimately, the film’s biggest challenge is timing. It’s an unfortunate reality that it will be compared to the stunning new Superman movie, and it simply doesn’t match up to that level of cinematic achievement.
Still, as a launching point for the MCU’s Phase 6, this is a strong start… a much-needed breath of fresh air after the creative stumbles of Phase 5. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.
PS – Why is The Thing modeled like a bad reject of a Thanos costume?
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