Newsbreak

Is ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ the most surprisingly pro-life movie of the year?

When audiences watched Marvel Studios’ “Fantastic Four: First Steps” as it debuted in theaters, they may have noticed some pro-life, pro-family themes they didn’t expect.

Key Takeaways:

  • “Fantastic Four: First Steps” has grossed over $200 million worldwide — the biggest Marvel release so far this year.
  • It has received rave reviews from both film critics and audiences.
  • The film contains strong pro-life, pro-family themes, like the importance of motherhood and the value of every individual life.

The Details:

WARNING: The information below contains PLOT SPOILERS for “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”

In the movie, which is set in an alternate universe, the Fantastic Four are an established superhero team and family, consisting of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. The movie opens with Reed and Sue, who are married, celebrating an unexpected pregnancy after trying for two years to get pregnant, and failing. Though the couple does not know it yet, their son — Franklin Richards — is one of the most powerful beings to ever exist, able to manipulate reality, create pocket dimensions, and even entire universes on his own.

As they prepare for the birth of their son, Shalla Bal appears; she is a herald for Galactus, an immensely powerful cosmic entity who consumes planets to sustain himself. When the Fantastic Four try to negotiate with Galactus, he realizes Sue is pregnant, and after using his powers to scan her, immediately understands how strong her son will be. Galactus offers to spare Earth if the Four will give him Franklin, which Sue — already protective of her preborn son — vehemently refuses. She is forced into early labor and gives birth.

After escaping Galactus’ ship and returning to Earth, the people are furious that the Fantastic Four — whom they have come to see as their protectors — refuse to sacrifice one person (their son) to save the lives of billions. Sue defuses the mob by bringing Franklin to them, introducing her son to the world, and vowing that she will find a way to protect them all.

Eventually, the team finds a way to send Galactus to the furthest reaches of the universe, making Earth safe, though — to Sue’s distress — they have to use Franklin as bait. Ultimately, they are able to save him at the last moment, with Sue becoming stronger due to her love for her son. She overpowers Galactus, though the effort kills her.

Franklin, in turn, uses his powers to bring her back to life.

The Big Picture:

Throughout the movie, the importance of Sue Storm’s role as a mother is heavily emphasized, as is the importance of every life.

During Sue’s pregnancy, one emotional moment occurs when she attempts to show Reed that their baby is alive and well. Her powers include invisibility, so she turns her stomach invisible so Reed can see their son in her womb.

Everyone on the team also shows a willingness to sacrifice themselves for Franklin; Johnny, Sue’s brother (and Franklin’s uncle), offers to take Franklin’s place as a sacrifice for Galactus, while Sue herself is urged to back down from using her powers so her life will not be at risk. She refuses, encouraging the rest of the Fantastic Four team to save Franklin instead.

Unlike other superhero movies, “Fantastic Four: First Steps” also takes care to show the heroes ensuring that innocent people are kept safe. The team makes sure to send the population of New York to a safe area so they will not be at risk during the battle with Galactus.

Sue Storm’s status as a mother above all else has been applauded, particularly by fans of the “Fantastic Four” comic books, and her role as a mother is specifically what has set her apart from other female superheroes. As George Marston explained:

While Sue Storm is powerful in her own right – many writers have said she’s got the most raw power of anyone on the FF – she also represents an important aspect of womanhood that many female heroes have sacrificed or had used against them – motherhood.

That Sue can serve as one of the most respected heroes in the Marvel Universe (and its first female hero) while simultaneously raising two children and shepherding the growth of many more through the Future Foundation can’t be understated.

The Other Side:

Despite positive response, others have reacted with strong negativity to the film’s emphasis on motherhood and the importance of all lives. Writing for PEOPLE, Stephanie Sengwe complained about the film’s theme of self-sacrificial motherhood:

This self-sacrificing mother archetype is familiar to anyone who’s watched Bambi’s mom, Lily Potter, or Queen Amidala (among many, many others) — moms who love their children so much that they take the (proverbial, in most cases) bullet in their child’s place. It’s a story as old as time, but I also wonder if perhaps its time is up.

Why do so many stories feature moms whose main superpower is to lay down their lives for their children, even when they’re actual superheroes?

… The implication there is that a mother’s love knows no bounds, and is powerful enough to destroy an entity that predates even time…. I, however, just wish that maternal sacrifice didn’t always mean death.

… Further driving the point that there’s no force stronger than a mother-child bond, Franklin — at barely a year old, by the way — manages to bring her back to life….

… it’s really sweet that he already loves his mama enough to rescue her back, but did we need Sue to die in order to show how mighty he was? I still say no.

Likewise, on X, some viewers complained that the film was too pro-life.

Knowing Hollywood… no, it is not likely that the movie is “intentionally trying” to present a pro-life theme. But it certainly does a good job of accidentally presenting one.

The Bottom Line:

Motherhood doesn’t make a woman weak or keep her from being strong, powerful, or capable. Likewise, every life — no matter how small — is worth protecting. “Fantastic Four: First Steps” demonstrates these points in a poignant, beautiful way that is reaching millions of people around the globe.

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