4K Digital Review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps

 

I am a huge Marvel fan and have been watching every movie and TV Series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While I have enjoyed some of the movies and series after Endgame, I feel like Marvel lost their momentum and didn't know where to go from there. But Thunderbolts was a return to form for me as was The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It is focused on being a character driven film instead of what's next and leading towards a major Marvel film event like an Avengers film. 

We are introduced to The Fantastic Four in another universe. They have been spending the last several years protecting their Earth. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) are expecting their first child. Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are going to become uncles. The world seems to be in harmony. Then, Silver Surfer (Julie Garner) arrives to warn of the arrival of Galactus (Ralph Ineson). Galactus feeds upon entire planets to sustain himself and is heading towards Earth.

The Fantastic Four believe they can bargain with Galactus to protect the planet. It turns out that the only thing Galactus wants is to give his role as eater of planet's to another. A being that is powerful enough to take on the role and not be consumed by it.  A being born of two powerful metahumans. This would be Franklin, the unborn child of Reed and Sue. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is beautiful. The world is a retro-future one and the colors are softer. Primary colors do pop off the screen. Finer details such a as clothing materials and skin tones are wonderful. Shiny and bright colors such as Silver Surfer, Galactus and Johnny's orange flames also really stand out. A fantastic video transfer from Disney and Marvel.  

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is solid. The surrounds will get a good workout due to all of the environmental sounds and some great actions sequences. Dialogue is crystal clear and the score is subtle and plays nicely in the background. A fantastic audio mix from Disney and Marvel.

Bonus Features:

• Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn’t make the final cut.

o Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen

o Fantastic Four Day

o Subterranea

o Birthday Sweater

o Taking Turns

• Gag Reel – Enjoy fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of The Fantastic Four: First

Steps.

• Featurettes:

o Meet The First Family – The creation of the Fantastic Four saved Marvel Comics in

1961 and has only flourished as years have passed. Matt Shakman and the cast

explain how they found themselves gravitating toward each role and creating the

ultimate family unit.

o Fantastic Futurism – The filmmakers discuss the process of immersing the cast

and crew in the film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. Join Matt Shakman and crew as they

discuss the experience of shooting in gigantic mid-century New York sets and

stepping into an otherworldly era.

o From Beyond and Below – The team explores bringing complex characters from

the page to the screen, including a larger-than-life Galactus, grounded Harvey

Elder/Mole Man, and an emotionally rich Silver Surfer.

• Audio Commentary – Watch the film with audio commentary by director Matt Shakman

and production designer Kasra Farahani.

Conclusion:

A fantastic introduction to Marvel's first family into the MCU. I look forward to seeing where they go from here and how they enter the rest of the MCU that we already know. Fantastic video and audio with some wonderful bonus features including a good audio commentary make this a highly recommended addition to your library.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is available now on digital, DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD.

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review and the review is strictly my own opinion.*