THE FANTASTIC FOUR : FIRST STEPS - Tuesday 29th July 2025

I saw the PG Rated 'THE FANTASTIC FOUR : FIRST STEPS' this week at my local multiplex, and this American action adventure Superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics Superhero team The Fantastic Four. It is the 37th film in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) and is the first film in Phase Six of the MCU. This is the second reboot of the 'Fantastic Four' franchise, with the first two films coming in 2005 with 'Fantastic Four' and its sequel in 2007 'Fantastic Four : Rise of the Silver Surfer' both Directed by Tim Story, with the first reboot coming in 2015 with 'Fantastic Four' this time Directed by Josh Trank. Those first three films in the series grossed a total of US$803M at the global Box Office from combined production budgets of about US$350M, although the 2015 offering tanked both commercially and critically, resulting in a planned 2017 sequel being removed from the production schedule. This film is Directed by Matt Shakman in only his second feature film offering following 'Cut Bank' in 2014, although he has Directed numerous episodes of TV series since 2002 right up until 2023. The film was released in the US last week too, has grossed so far US$250M from a US$200M production budget, has generated largely positive critical reviews, and a sequel is already in the works.

We learn early on that this film is set on Earth 828 and it is 1960 when Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), his best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Sue's younger brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) begin a mission into outer space, during which they are all exposed to cosmic rays. Upon returning to Earth, they all have new found superpowers with Reed assuming the mantle of Mr. Fantastic and can stretch any part of his body to great lengths. Sue becomes the Invisible Woman and can generate force fields and turn invisible. Ben, as The Thing, whose skin has been transformed into a layer of orange rock, granting him superhuman strength and durability, and Johnny as the Human Torch can control fire and fly. 

Collectively they become the Superhero team known as 'The Fantastic Four'. Four years later, the team have become celebrities and are highly regarded as the world’s protectors, engaging in philanthropic and diplomatic efforts through the Future Foundation, which was established by Sue Storm and which has achieved global demilitarisation and peace. One evening over a family dinner, Reed and Sue reveal to Ben and Johnny that they are expecting a child.

The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives on Earth and declares that the planet has been marked for destruction by Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a gigantic planet-destroying God-like cosmic being - the sole survivor of a dead universe that existed before the creation of Earth-828. Reed studies the disappearance of other planets to verify this claim, and the team decides to find Galactus before he comes to Earth. 

They track the Silver Surfer's energy signature and use faster-than-light (FTL) travel to reach a new planet. As they arrive, the planet is destroyed by Galactus's ship from the inside out, and the team is captured. Galactus reveals to them that he has a voracious hunger which has driven him to consume planets for millennia. He senses that Reed and Sue's unborn child has enormous cosmic power and would be able to take on Galactus's hunger, which he has grown tired of and wants to be free. Galactus offers to spare Earth in exchange for the child. The very thought of this induces Sue to go into labour. The team naturally refuses and escapes from the ship. They are followed by the Silver Surfer, who destroys their FTL system. They use the gravity from a black hole to delay the Silver Surfer in hot pursuit, and slingshot themselves back to Earth. Sue gives birth to a boy whom she names Franklin, on the way. 

The Four (sorry, now five) return to Earth a month later. Reed speaks of their encounter during a press conference. Their decision to save one child over the billions of other people on Earth leads to a public outcry, with many calling for Franklin to be sacrificed to Galactus. Johnny begins to decipher the Silver Surfer's native language, using his interactions with her, and some deep space transmissions Reed intercepted from her planet, and others that Galactus destroyed. 

As Galactus approaches and protests against the Fantastic Four escalate, Sue takes Franklin to meet with a large crowd of protesters outside their HQ - the Baxter Building. She explains that they will not sacrifice their child, but they will also not give up on the rest of humanity. Using a teleportation system that he has been working on, Reed devises a plan to build large teleportation bridges across Earth so they can transport the entire planet to another solar system where Galactus cannot reach them. Through the Future Foundation, Sue rallies the world's nations into building the bridges in every major city, and in rapid time, while conserving the energy ultimately needed to power them up.

With Galactus arrival imminent, Reed activates the bridges across the globe. As they are almost fully activated, the Silver Surfer returns and begins destroying them. Johnny and Ben stop her from destroying the last bridge in Times Square. He uses her native language to identify her as Shalla-Bal which catches her off-guard. She explains that she chose to become Galactus's herald in exchange for his sparing her world, Zenn-La. Johnny plays transmissions from the planets she helped Galactus destroy, and Shalla-Bal flees. 

Using Franklin as bait, the team plans to lure Galactus to the last bridge and teleport him away instead to a galaxy far far away. But, they only have 37 seconds to do so from when the portal first opens up to when it closes. Sue negotiates with Harvey Elder aka Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser), a former enemy turned ally of the Fantastic Four, to evacuate the citizens of New York City to his underground city of Subterranea. Galactus makes his way through the city and captures Franklin, avoiding the team's bridge trap. 

Sue uses all of her power to push him towards the portal with a force field while Reed rescues Franklin. Johnny attempts to sacrifice himself to give Galactus a final push into the portal, but is stopped by Shalla-Bal. She pushes Galactus in herself, and the portal closes behind them. Sue dies from her supreme efforts, and is grieved over by Reed where she fell. Reed places Franklin on her chest, and she is revived. As she holds Franklin close, Sue comments to Reed that their son is more powerful than the two of them. The world celebrates their victory. 

Remain in your seat for a mid-credits scene set four years later, which sets the tone for the next time we'll see the Fantastic Four in 'Avengers : Doomsday' set for release in December 2026.

I have to say that I went into 'The Fantastic Four : First Steps' with fairly low expectations given the previous instalments, but came out having been pleasantly surprised. Positively, the fact that Marvel have decided to not go for the traditional origin story but instead have cast this Superhero team as fully formed and globally accepted heroes from the get go is a plus, as is the departure by Marvel to set this film in a futuristic retro 60's style aesthetic. And to this end the costume design, the set design elements, the production values and the music score all compliment each other. This film also has an underlying message of parental love, the ties that bind a family together, the sense of teamwork that exists between the four and the larger global community, and an unwavering feeling of hope and optimism that will conquer even the darkest of days. The principle cast have all been well chosen for what they individually and collectively bring to their roles, and they all seem to bond well as Marvel's 'first family of Superheroes' with each given their own time to shine and contribute to a package that is greater than the sum of its parts. Whilst the plot follows fairly traditional beats, the ending where good thwarts evil against the odds is all too predictable and our team of Superheroes live to fight another day, here Kevin Feige and the guys at Marvel Studios have delivered us probably the best entry in the MCU in recent years, and that's a reassuring turns of events from a studio that had appeared to have lost its way.

'Fantastic Four : First Steps' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 24th July 2025

This years 8th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) runs from Sunday 19th through until Sunday 27th July in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Founded with a vision to cultivate a dynamic environment for emerging talents within the film industry, MIFFest is committed to amplifying diverse voices and promoting creativity. Since its establishment in 2016, it has offered a range of opportunities and platforms for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals. Set against Malaysia’s vibrant backdrop, MIFFest aims to be the premier cinematic hub in Southeast Asia. The one-week festival provides a platform for creatives to showcase their work, nurture emerging talent, and feature exceptional films from around the world. MIFFest opens a window to the world, offering audiences the chance to embark on a cinematic journey through films from diverse countries and cultures. In 2024, the festival proudly showcased fifty films from thirty countries in thirty-five different languages, emphasising the commitment to celebrating cinematic diversity. MIFFest believes in the power of film to inspire, connect, and transform, so reads the official website.

This years Opening Night film presentation is 'Ninavau', a family drama film from Malaysia and is Co-Written and Directed by Bebbra Mailin in her Directorial debut. Ninavau, a Kadazan based in West Malaysia, returns home to East Malaysia, Sabah for her sister’s wedding. Her family, deeply rooted in tradition and community values, sees her as a source of pride and a symbol of continuity. However, Ninavau carries with her a personal transformation that she has yet to share. The Closing Night film is 'Transamazonia' a drama offering from Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Brazil and France and Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Pia Marais. Rebecca, the daughter of missionary Lawrence Byrne, was declared a 'miracle' after she survived a plane crash as a child, deep in the Amazon forest. Years later, Rebecca has become a miracle healer, sustaining their mission thanks to her growing fame. But when illegal loggers invade the land belonging to the indigenous people they’re evangelising, Rebecca’s father manoeuvres them into the epicentre of this escalating conflict. 

This year there are nine films in Official Competition, and those are :-

* 'All That's Left of You' - from Germany, Cyprus, Palestine, Jordan, Greece, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and this historical drama film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and starring Cherien Dabis. A Palestinian couple finds hope and courage in the midst of relentless struggle as they face an extraordinary life decision that will change their family’s destiny.

* 'DJ Ahmet' - from North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Serbia and Croatia, and this comedy drama film is Written and Directed by Georgi M. Unkovski. Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, finds refuge in music while navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative community, and his first experience with love — a girl already promised to someone else.

* 'My Friend An Delie' - from China and this drama offering is Co-Written, Directed and starring Dong Zijian. Upon hearing about his father’s death, Li rushes back to his hometown in the Northeast of China. He runs into his childhood friend, An Delie, on the flight. The two have not seen each other since middle school. Even though they are heading to the same funeral, An Delie insists that he does not know Li. As Li tries to revive An Delie’s memory, a weighty past starts to emerge.

* 'Paternal Leave' - from Germany and Italy and this coming of age drama film is Written and Directed by Alissa Jung. Alone and looking for answers, a teenager travels to the North Italian coast to meet her biological father. Their first encounter is tense – fraught with questions, longing and unresolved anger. Can they work towards finding acceptance, love and honesty?

* 'Red Path' - from Tunisia, Belgium, France, Poland, Qatar and Saudi Arabia this human rights drama film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Lotfi Achour. Mghila Mountain, Tunisia, November 2015. When a jihadist group attacks two very young shepherds, 14-year-old Ashraf is forced to take a macabre message back to his family. Traumatised and trying not to lose his mind, Ashraf finds himself confronted with the powerlessness of his elders and abandoned by the authorities.

* 'Soft Leaves' - from Belgium and this coming of age drama film is Written and Directed by Miwako van Weyenberg. Yuna’s parents separated when she was young. Her mother returned to Japan to remarry and start a new family, leaving her in Belgium with her father. Years later, a sudden accident leaves him in a coma, prompting her mothers return, this time with a half-sister Yuna barely knows. It’s more than Yuna can handle at first, but as her father shows signs of recovery, she is forced to confront her own feelings and navigate the complexities of her fractured family.

* 'To a Land Unknown' - from the UK, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Palestine, Denmark, Netherlands, France and Germany and this crime thriller is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Mahdi Fleifel. Chatila and Reda are saving to pay for fake passports to get out of Athens. But when Reda loses their hard-earned cash to his dangerous drug addiction, Chatila hatches an extreme plan, which involves them posing as smugglers and taking hostages in an effort to get him and his best friend out of their hopeless environment before it is too late.

* 'Universal Language' - from Canada and this fantasy offering is Co-Written and Directed by Matthew Rankin. In a mysterious and surreal interzone somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg, the lives of multiple characters interweave with each other in surprising and mysterious ways. Grade schoolers Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to claim it. Meanwhile, Massoud leads a group of increasingly befuddled tourists through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg. Matthew quits his meaningless job in a Quebec government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother.

* 'Winter in Sokcho' - from France and South Korea and this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Koya Kamura. In Sokcho, a small seaside village in South Korea, Soo-Ha, 25, lives in a bit of a rut, rhythmed by visits to her mother, a fishmonger, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Jun-Ho. When a French man named Yan Kerrand arrives in the boarding house where Soo-Ha works, it awakens within her questions about her own identity, and that of her French father, of whom she knows almost nothing. As winter settles over the town, Soo-Ha and Kerrand will observe and gauge each other, trying to communicate any way they can.

For the full summary of other film strands being showcased, plus a whole lot of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://www.miffest.com.my/

Turning to this weeks six hot new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick start with the 37th film offering in the MCU that sees Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer. Next up we have a drama offering about young lovers who embark on their own individual journeys of heartache and misplaced love, before fate contrives to pull the threads of their lives together. Then we turn to a French comedy drama where suddenly having to care for his little sister, a young man must focus on the best chance he's got to provide for them, by entering a local cheese-making competition. And closing out the week we have a trio of horror films beginning with a British offering where after a mother and son are involved in a car wreck, they soon become hunted by a mutated grief-stricken deer on a deadly rampage seeking revenge for the death of its mother. The second horror movie sees a trio of paranormal investigators setting out to film their next case that sees them encountering a malevolent, ancient spirit that resides in an abandoned house deep in the woods; before closing out the week with the third such offering that sees a man who begins working at a retirement home where his job reveals unexpected dangers, as he discovers that both residents and staff are concealing dark secrets. 

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'THE FANTASTIC FOUR : FIRST STEPS' (Rated PG) - is an American action adventure Superhero film based on the Marvel Comics Superhero team The Fantastic Four, is the 37th film in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) and is the first film in Phase Six of the MCU. This is the second reboot of the 'Fantastic Four' franchise, with the first two films coming in 2005 with 'Fantastic Four' and its sequel in 2007 'Fantastic Four : Rise of the Silver Surfer' both Directed by Tim Story, with the first reboot coming in 2015 with 'Fantastic Four' this time Directed by Josh Trank. Those first three films in the series grossed a total of US$803M at the global Box Office from combined production budgets of about US$350M, although the 2015 offering tanked both commercially and critically, resulting in a planned 2017 sequel being removed from the production schedule. This film is Directed by Matt Shakman in only his second feature film offering following 'Cut Bank' in 2014, although he has Directed numerous episodes of TV series since 2002 right up until 2023. The film is released in the US this week too, and a sequel is already in the works.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960's inspired, retro-futuristic world, the film introduces Marvel's First Family, Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space God Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus' plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren't bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal. Also starring John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne and Paul Walter Hauser.Content expanded.

'FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE' (Rated M) - this UK and Irish Co-Produced drama film is Directed by Polly Steele whose previous feature film output includes her debut in 2008 with 'Lena : The Bride of Ice' and 'Let Me Go' in 2017 with a number of documentary films in between time. This film is based on Niall Williams 1997 novel of the same name, and tells the story of Nicholas Coughlan (Fionn O'Shea) and Isabel Gore (Ann Skelly) who are made for each other, but fate does not always choose the easiest path to true love. As destiny pulls them together, so do family, passion, and faith drive them apart. Nicholas' father, William (Pierce Brosnan), comes home one day to shatter his family's quiet, modest life. He tells them that in a moment of divine intervention, God has instructed him to dedicate his life to painting. He quits his job and sets off for the coast, leaving his shell-shocked wife Bette (Imelda May) and son to fend for themselves. Meanwhile Isabel and her family live a charmed existence on a nearby small neighbouring island, their house full of music and poetry. When tragedy strikes and her brother Sean (Donal Finn) suffers a terrible accident, the music stops, and Isabel's parents Margaret and Muiris Gore (Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne respectively) decide in their grief to send Isabel to a convent school on the mainland. The young lovers embark on their own individual journeys of heartache and misplaced love, before fate contrives to pull the threads of their lives together. The film was released in the US in late April, and in the UK and Ireland last week.

'HOLY COW' (Rated M) - is a French comedy drama film Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Louise Courvoisier in her feature film Directorial debut. Following the tragic death of his father in a car accident, eighteen year old Totone (Clement Faveau) is thrust into the unexpected and very adult role of looking after his younger sister Claire (Luna Garret) and their failing family farm in the Jura section of France. He assumes even more responsibility when he enters a cash competition for the best Comte cheese made in this western part of the French Alps. The film saw its World Premiere screening in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival in mid-May 2024, was released in its native France in mid-December last year, has so far grossed US$7M and has garnered positive critical reviews. 

'BAMBI : THE RECKONING' (Rated MA15+) - is a British independent horror film Directed by Dan Allen who made his feature film debut with 'Unhinged' in 2017 (no, not the 2020 film of the same name starring Russell Crowe), then 'The Mummy Reborn' in 2019 and 'It Came from Below' in 2021. This is the fourth film in the 'Twisted Childhood Universe' after 'Winnie-the-Pooh : Blood and Honey' in 2023, 'Winnie-the-Pooh : Blood and Honey 2' in 2024 and 'Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare' earlier this year. Those first three films in this ever evolving franchise grossed US$16.5M against combined production budgets of about US$900K. So, here then, a woman named Xana (Roxanne McKee) and her son Benji (Tom Mulheron) are involved in a car accident and must fight to survive when they find themselves as prey to a mutated, grieving, killing machine of a deer on a deadly rampage, seeking revenge for the death of his mother. The film is also released this week in the US.

'HOUSE ON EDEN' (Rated CTC) - this American found footage horror film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Kris Collins in her feature film making debut. Setting out to film their next paranormal investigation, Kris (Kris Collins), Celina (Celina Myers) and videographer Jay (Jason-Christopher Mayer) expect nothing more than their usual jump scares this time around. However, when they arrive at an abandoned house deep in the woods they encounter a malevolent, ancient spirit the like of which they have never come across before. As the night spirals out of control they soon come to realise that an evil hostile presence is tracking their every move. This film is released Stateside this week too. 

'THE HOME' (Rated CTC) - is an American psychological horror film Co-Written and Directed by James DeMonaco whose prior feature film credits take in his debut with 2009's 'Staten Island' and which he would follow up with 'The Purge' in 2013, 'The Purge : Anarchy' in 2014 and 'The Purge : Election Year' in 2016, and 'This Is the Night' in 2021. Here, Max (Pete Davidson), a troubled man and rebellious twentysomething is sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home. He soon comes to realise that its residents and caretakers harbour sinister secrets. As he investigates the building and its forbidden fourth floor which is strictly off-limits, reportedly for those residents requiring 'special care', his suspicions grow and he digs deeper. What he uncovers reveals a chilling secret that puts both the residents' lives and his own in grave danger, as he starts to piece together connections to his own past and upbringing as a foster child. The film is released this week also in the US.

With six new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-