If you’re the sort of person who only goes to see solid five-star films on the big screen, I have good news for you this week, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best thing Marvel’s produced in absolutely ages.
I loved the retro but futuristic 1960s design, and the casting is perfect, especially Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. The qualities of invisibility, stretchy limbs, lighting fires, and crushing tower blocks all come in handy, as our awesome foursome set out on a mission to defend Earth from a space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his mysterious Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
Things get personal when Galactus sets his sights on Mister Fantastic and Sue Storm’s newborn, and the city starts to turn against them, with accusations of being selfish for not sacrificing their baby to save the world. I’m not convinced any of those holding the placards would opt for this awful life choice, but here we are. One plan is to build transportation bridges and teleport Earth-828 to a place where Galactus can’t reach it for many years. Luckily, St Anne’s Road Bridge in Denton wasn’t mentioned as part of the plans.
Long story short, this was a great superhero film and the first I’ve thoroughly enjoyed for a long time. The cast sparkle with chemistry, the retro futuristic look pops with colour, and I think this will be watched and enjoyed for many decades to come. Marvel also avoided their tendency to make it about 45 minutes longer than it needs to be, with the duration clocking in at a respectable 115 minutes. Look out for the extra scene during the end credits too.
If you’re looking for a decent sequel, Bad Guys 2 is funnier than the first film, and well worth a watch this summer. We reacquaint ourselves with Mr. Piranha, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, and of course not forgetting Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), who’s trying his best to land a job at a bank he realises he has robbed several times in the past. The gang is framed for a global gold heist that they didn’t commit by an all-female cast of Bad Girls, and face their biggest mission yet to convince a sceptical world that they’ve changed their ways.
I thought the script was sharper than the first film, and there’s definitely plenty for parents to enjoy as well as their little ones. The inevitable flatulence humour made me giggle like a schoolboy, and I can see why both this and the original have drawn comparisons with Reservoir Dogs. The animation style is cool, and it’s full of fun characters. A solid 4 stars, and as sequels go, it’s up there with the best I’ve seen lately.
Next week, I’ll be reviewing The Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson as the son of Frank Drebin, Smurfs, and Bring Her Back. Don’t forget there are some £1 films in Ashton to enjoy over the summer too, including the beautiful Latvian wordless animation Flow.
Alex Cann's weekly film blog - 9th January
