‘Superman’ and ‘Fantastic’ both worthy, if far-reaching, efforts
(August 10, 2025) — Superhero movies are nowhere near as popular as they were even five years ago, let alone a decade past.
Part of the reason has been the deep dive into mostly unknown and secondary characters. Yet now we have the two initial franchises from the two major comic companies on the big screen at the same time.
Both Superman and the Fantastic Four have had multiple movies – some good, while most are bad. The new “Superman” and “Fantastic Four” films definitely belong in the group of the good.
It helps that both films pick up just a few years after our heroes have made their existence known to everyone on the planet. The films quickly explain their origins so we can get to the matters at hand.
Superman (a perfectly cast David Corenswet) is a genuinely nice guy who wants to protect humans. Everyone trusts him until Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) leaks some very unflattering information regarding the true reason Superman was sent to Earth. Still, Superman is determined to prove his humanity in the face of calls for his expatriation. There are many real world parallels here. Director James Gunn aces another superhero film, and the rest of the cast, especially Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), are fantastic.
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Speaking of fantastic, the new “Fantastic Four” film sets up our heroes as beloved members of the human race. No one questions their newfound powers, and there are no other superheroes around. Only minor villains provide a nuisance until the Silver Surfer (a profoundly cool Julia Garner) shows up to announce the coming of her master, the planet-swallowing Galactus.
The film takes place on an alternate earth in a version of the 1960s that might have occurred had there not been hundreds of years of zero advancement during the Dark Ages. Seeing flying cars and other future technology amongst people dressed in mod and hippie outfits is a thrill. Galactus is a great villain done very well onscreen, and the FF themselves are all capably well-played.
The only letdown with these films is they both serve to simultaneously (re-) introduce vital characters while also setting up future stories. I love that the characters are part of a bigger picture; I just wish their own pictures were a little smaller. “Superman” A- “Fantastic Four” B+
It has been an honor to write for The Pioneer for the last decade. I have loved seeking out all kinds of films and writing reviews that I hope people took seriously in their theater-going decisions. I want to continue to write reviews in some fashion. Look for me in the comic book writing industry sometime in the near future. Excelsior!
Jeff Mellinger
Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord.