The Fantastic Four – First Steps: Trolley Problem 4 the MCU

Kathryn joins Melvin return to the MCU to discuss The Fantastic Four: First Steps! It’s been 2 years since the gang has talked about Marvel, so what’s it like to discuss this latest feature? Also, does it stand well on its own? At the end of the day… is it even good? Tune in and find out!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes looking at the budgets for each 2025 Marvel release and matching them against their world-wide gross, then speculating on what these finances spell for the future of Marvel flicks. Spoiler: it’s not the best! (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Kathryn, “It was very interesting to basically have a movie from Marvel where one of the most important things about it is the fact a baby is going to be born.”
• Melvin thought the movie was good… but didn’t think it was great.
• Pedro Pascal never feels like he’s part of the movie. He never comes across convincingly in the world of the film.
• Is Melvin back on the MCU train?
• Melvin pondering 17 years of the MCU, “I just don’t know what these movies are anymore, and I don’t know what to expect.”
• Discussing some of the drama explored in the latter-half of the film.
• How Marvel does the Trolley Problem, and how Marvel doesn’t really challenge its audience.
• Discussing the ending, the end-credits stinger, and if we even care anymore.

Recommendations:

• All Quiet on the Western Front (1929) (Book)
• The Other (2025) (Movie)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Rated PG-13 for action/violence and some language. It features Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, and Julia Garner. Directed by Matt Shakman. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

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