On July 25th, the highly anticipated opening film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s sixth phase, “The Fantastic Four: First Appearance,” premiered in mainland China.
The film has debuted with a strong 89% “Fresh” rating on the reputable review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, earning it the coveted “Certified Fresh” distinction. This marks a significant achievement, making it the first “Fantastic Four” film in history to receive this accolade.
For context, previous iterations of “The Fantastic Four” have met with mixed critical reception. The 2005 Tim Story-directed film, for instance, garnered a mere 27% on the same platform, highlighting the positive reception for this new installment.
Helming this new chapter is Matt Shakman, known for his work on “WandaVision.” The film boasts a stellar cast: Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby portrays the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn embodies the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is set to play the Thing.
Further expanding the cosmic scope, Julia Garner is cast as Silver Surfer Sarah, and Ralph Ineson will portray the formidable Galactus.
Synopsis:
The Fantastic Four — Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm — will confront their most daunting challenge yet. Bound by family ties and extraordinary abilities, they must navigate the complexities of their superhero roles while protecting Earth from the insatiable cosmic entity, Galactus, and his herald, the Silver Surfer.
Adding to the high stakes, Galactus’s plan to consume the Earth and all its inhabitants is compounded by deeply personal entanglements, suggesting a narrative rich with emotional depth alongside its grand cosmic conflict.
