TOP OF THE MONTH
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps strides in with a retro-slick swagger and a blast of cinematic verve. This alternate-universe reboot is a full-on visual feast—sleek in design, brimming with mind-bending effects, and soaked in a high-voltage sci-fi aesthetic. It sets a bold new tone for the franchise, and frankly, it’s about time.
But what truly tickles the soul is the emotional weight tucked beneath all that spectacle. Amidst the multiversal mayhem, there’s a mother stepping up for her son—and that simple, tender thread becomes the film’s beating heart.
Vanessa Kirby is sensational as Sue Storm—poised, powerful, and quietly devastating. She brings just the right touch of grace and grit. Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch is a delightful mix of cocky charm and bruised vulnerability, making Johnny Storm more than just hot-headed flash.
Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is refreshingly grounded, while Ebon Moss-Bachrach adds real pathos to Ben Grimm. The onscreen chemistry among the foursome feels organic—snappy, warm, and never overdone—anchoring the cosmic chaos in character-led storytelling.
Then there’s Galactus, who arrives with the kind of cosmic swagger you’d expect, reshaping the scale of threat entirely. Julia Garner’s take on the Silver Surfer is a welcome twist—haunted, elegant, and convincingly torn. And let’s not forget little Franklin, whose pint-sized powers pack a universe-sized punch.
Director Matt Shakman doesn’t just serve up another Marvel instalment—he reinvents the recipe with style, substance, and a surprising amount of heart. First Steps is cheeky, charged, and just what the Marvel universe needed. Fans will be chuffed—and rightly so.
LOOK AHEAD
The movie buffs, this September will have many reasons to cheer with the upcoming chillers and thrillers apart from the newer franchise films, as it brings a packed slate of Hollywood releases in India. The Conjuring: Last Rites will bring back its horror saga, and The Long Walk, based on Stephen King’s novel, will explore a dystopian world of future America. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, as the third and final installment of this series, and the intense crime drama One Battle After Another are also on the cards.
Besides, a psychological thriller, HIM, and the whimsically adventurous A big Bold Beautiful Journey are also slated for release next month. The Strangers: Chapter 2 will make you fear intruders wearing masks, exhibiting a fresh round of brutality. You are bound to experience supernatural scares, experience the dystopian games, and present emotional farewells this September
(The author is Festival Director, KidzCINEMA and Culture Cinema Film Festivals)
