Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Fantastic 4 First Steps review say the latest Marvel film is a welcome addition, in spite of a strategic flaw or two.

The Marvel Universe is in peril. Can the Fantastic 4 save it? Pun fully intended, the latest superhero offering is a step in the right direction.

Which is not to say it’s flawless.  Let’s start with the good news.

The kookie kitschy cool retro future world setting is summarily stylish, and perfect for creating an alternate universe where creators get to make up their own rules and tell their own, unconventional story.

No one needs to bother with complaining about the tech not making sense, or a pregnant woman’s body being impervious to the laws of physics. Things like this just ‘are’ in this 1950’s/2200’s world. Be aware, however, that you might leave the theater with the urge to stop by Crate and Barrel and pick up that Smeg toaster you’ve been considering.

The warm, fuzzy themes and values are also refreshing. Reid Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grim and Johnny Storm are living together as a happy, if unconventional family. Two fun uncles and a married couple living together in harmony, without the current and unnecessary complications.

Writer Peter Cameron and Director Matt Shakman have done us the favor of introducing the Four and their relationships, and explaining how they got their superpowers in the first five minutes of the film, so those of us who never read the comics and don’t remember their previous iterations are in the loop. Thank you gentlemen!

The nation appreciates, enjoys and respects these heroes, without digging into their complicated pasts, or resurrecting Tweets they posted 16 years ago. Babies are still magic, awe inspiring and unifying, regardless of their superpowers. Almost makes you wish this a alt universe were real.

And now let’s take on the cast, which is both a strength and a weakness. I will say this for the actors—they have extraordinary chemistry. Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon, a couple of Mission Impossible movies, and most memorable for me, The Crown) plays wife, sister and super hero Sue Storm. She is just right with Ebon Moss Bacharach (The Bear) as Ben Grim, or the rocky Thing, and Joseph Quinn (Gladiator II, A Quiet Place: Day One, and TV series Game of Thrones and Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch.

The Fantastic 4 First Steps review — Nothing’s perfect

Then there’s Pedro Pascal, as geeky science nerd Reid Richards, the elastic Mr. Fantastic. Perhaps because the excellent actor is so overexposed at the moment, what with The Materialists, Eddington and The Last of Us so prominent on screens both big and small, he never quite disappears into his character. He’s just a little too Pedro Pascaly to blend into Reid Richards.

I have but one other, rather large complaint about this otherwise very enjoyable film. That would be about the plot. If this is a film that’s supposed to breathe new and much needed life into the Marvel Universe, why have they used such an overwhelmingly ubiquitous and repetitive plot line? Why are Marvel superheroes constantly battling consummately evil and powerful aliens whose goal is to take over a world that’s centered in New York, or a reasonable facsimile thereof?

The added device of a cute baby is certainly a welcome diversion, and the appearance of the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) is titillating, but can’t filmmakers come up with a more original premise, even if the comic book writers couldn’t?

This new Fantastic 4 film is still a fun watch and a delightful new addition to the genre, in spite of its flaws. Sure, it could be better. But that goes for just about everything.

Rated PG-13

1 Hour 55 Minutes

If this The Fantastic 4 First Steps review encourages you to fly over to your local cineplex to see it, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Fantastic 4 First Steps review say the latest Marvel film is a welcome addition, in spite of a strategic flaw or two.