dorMancyx

As the grand opener for Marvel's phase six and the trailer film for Avengers Doomsday, Fantastic Four is, in every way, a project that cannot lose. And despite the high expectation, the movie's not bad at all. Though "family" is overexploited in cinema and flawed, traumatic characters are more liked, First Steps braves to tells a story of traditional superheroes who are down right good, protectors of their planet, and who struggle purely for the betterment of others. In the meantime, these heroes are truly interesting whether individually or in dynamics: sensitive but reliable Ben, passionate and childly Johnny, attentive but hyper-rational Reed, and Sue, the best of mother, wife, and spokeswoman whom I'd vote for as president. If not for the actors, a lot of scenes with long conversations and emotional buildups wouldn't be as believable or engaging, so bravo to Marvel casting. Visually the movie's also flawless, whether the retro-futuristic designs or special effects, and I especially love the weight rendered to The Thing and Galactus through detailed vibration and sound. Given its mere span of 2 hours, I think First Steps tells an eventful and fluent story that does not cheat through the final conflict by talking. Most importantly, it succeeds in capturing the essence of the Fantastic Four: family, explorers, protectors. I take back what I said in Superman - there is hope in superhero films.

Though it's created on a free software and doesn't contain a single spoken word, Flow is still effortless mesmerizing in image, characters, atmosphere, and message. At times of survival, beauty can be as simple as a mirror, a swirl of fish, ruins, statues, or an adventure, companionship, establishing boundaries, and unconditional tending. There's no villain in this film to be defeated, or faith to be confronted, or world to be saved, but I just can't help but immerse myself in Flow and smile as this fellowship of animals deepen their bond - such is the light of civilization. Lastly, I want a black cat now.