GOOD THING

MARVEL HITS THE REBOOT BUTTON ON ITS CINEMATIC UNIVERSE TO KICK-START A NEW ERA WITH A FILM THAT LIVES UP TO ITS NAME

- REVIEWS BY DAMON SMITH

OFTEN the quickest solution to remedying a problem with expensive malfunctioning technology is to switch off the power, wait a few minutes and reboot the system.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits the reset button on the glitchy Marvel Cinematic Universe and confidently kick-starts phase six with a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic flourish that sets Matt Shakman’s rip-roaring romp apart from many supposedly superpowered predecessors.

Funny, thrilling and heartbreaking, this opening foray for Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing is one giant leap forward for cinemakind.

Four scriptwriters strike an balance between humour, action and romance, gift-wrapped with splendid digital effects that serve a simple yet effective plot, which asks us to consider how much we would be willing to sacrifice to guarantee the survival of family, friends and neighbours.