Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic 4: First Steps (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is yet another in the Fantastic Four franchise.
On Earth-828, four years have elapsed since Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) gained superhuman powers from cosmic ray exposure and became the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four. Reed and Sue are expecting a child. Galactus (Ralph Ineson) has marked Earth for destruction, and this news is conveyed by Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Galactus agrees to spare Earth in exchange for Sue’s unborn son, as he senses an immense superpower within him. Of course, Sue refuses. The team returns to Earth, and Sue gives birth to Franklin. It is now the endeavour of the Fantastic Four to save Earth from Galactus’ destruction plan. The four use Franklin as bait, but Galactus proves to be smarter than they had bargained for. He takes the baby away from the team’s headquarters. How Franklin is rescued, and how the four overpower Galactus forms the crux of the drama.
Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer and Kat Wood have written a story which is quite interesting and seems like a masala fare. The screenplay, penned by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, is reasonably fast-paced and engaging too. The drama has quite a few exciting moments to thrill the audience.
Pedro Pascal does very well as Reed Richards. Vanessa Kirby performs ably as Sue Storm. Ebon Moss-Bachrach makes a fine impression as Ben Grimm. Joseph Quinn is effective as Johnny Storm. Ralph Ineson plays Galactus with conviction. Julia Garner leaves a mark as Silver Surfer. Sarah Niles (as Lynne Nichols), Mark Gatiss (as Tid Gilbert), Natasha Lyonne (as Rachel Rozman), Paul Walter Hauser (as Harvey Elder) and the others lend reasonable support.
Matt Shakman’s direction is good. His narration involves the audience and makes them feel, they are part of the unfolding drama. Michael Giacchino’s background music is fairly nice. Jess Hall’s cinematography is excellent. Kasra Farahani’s production designing is wonderful. Nona Khodai and Tim Roche’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is very good.
On the whole, The Fantastic 4: First Steps is a box-officer winner.
Released on 25-7-’25 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by JioStar India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: fair. …….Also released all over. Opening was okay at places.