Why The Fantastic Four’s Biggest Battle Isn’t Against Galactus, But Parenthood
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Tackles Family Drama Amid Cosmic Threat
The latest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, throws the superhero family into a cosmic pickle: save the Earth by sacrificing one life, or protect their own at a potentially massive cost. But beyond the epic battles and universe-saving stakes, the film dives into the complicated emotions of parenthood—though not always with the depth fans might hope for.
- The Fantastic Four face a moral dilemma involving their baby and Galactus.
- The film highlights the rarity of true family dynamics in the MCU.
- Parenthood is shown more as a plot device than deep character development.
- The movie raises questions about selfishness and sacrifice in superhero stories.
When Saving the World Hits Close to Home
The Fantastic Four’s newest challenge is to stop Galactus, a godlike entity hungry for planets. Things get personal when Galactus offers the team a deal: hand over Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s unborn child, Franklin, to replace him and spare Earth. The answer? A firm “no” from Sue and the rest of the family. But this refusal sparks a bigger question—are the Fantastic Four being selfish by putting their child’s life above billions of others?
This moral quandary is one of the most intriguing parts of First Steps. It sets the Fantastic Four apart from other MCU teams, which often revolve around found families rather than traditional ones. Here, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben aren’t just teammates—they’re a family, with Ben even playing an uncle-like role and sharing parenting duties.
Parenthood in the MCU: A Rare Focus
Unlike other Marvel movies, which tend to focus on sibling rivalries or surrogate families, First Steps shines a light on the challenges and instincts of actual parenting. The film captures the protective nature parents feel the moment a child is born, including some relatable moments like wrestling with a high-tech car seat.
Yet, while the Fantastic Four’s refusal to sacrifice Franklin is understandable, the movie doesn’t dig deeply into how parenthood changes them. Instead, Franklin’s presence often feels like a plot device rather than a catalyst for character growth. Reed’s clinical approach to weighing options and Sue’s vague platitudes don’t quite capture the messy reality of becoming parents, leaving some emotional potential untapped.
Why Family Matters More Than Ever
Marvel’s universe is filled with complex relationships, but true parent-child dynamics are rare on screen. Films like Captain America: Civil War and Thor: Love and Thunder use family ties mainly as emotional shortcuts rather than fully explored relationships. First Steps attempts to shift this trend by making family the heart of its story, even if it only takes baby steps in that direction.
The Fantastic Four’s story also highlights the tension between duty to the world and devotion to family—a theme that resonates beyond superhero tales. While the film wraps up with the team saving the day (and baby Franklin), it leaves open questions about how parenthood will shape their future adventures.
Looking Ahead: Parenthood as a Storytelling Frontier
There’s plenty of unexplored ground in showing superheroes as parents balancing their powers, relationships, and personal growth. How does a new child affect a marriage? Can heroes maintain their identities while raising kids? These are the kinds of questions First Steps hints at but doesn’t fully answer.
For now, the Fantastic Four remain a family in name and action, but the film suggests that real emotional development tied to parenthood might need a bigger spotlight in the MCU’s future.
Check out the non-cloud form of Galactus here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tvkZDxQY0g
