Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Fantastic Four – First Steps and What’s Making Us Happy

Released on July 25, 2025, "Pop Culture Happy Hour" hosted by NPR delves into Marvel's latest cinematic venture, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." Hosted by Glen Weldon, the discussion features Ronald Young Jr., Char Jassel, and Jordan Morris, who dissect the film's nuances, production design, character development, and its place within the broader Marvel Universe.

Introduction to "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"

Glen Weldon opens the conversation by introducing "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," highlighting its vibrant retro-futuristic aesthetic and the ensemble cast featuring Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Evan Moss Bachrach (Ben Grimm), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm). He describes the antagonistic force in the film, Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Einason as a character true to his comic book origins, complete with a tuning fork helmet and a knee-length skirt.

Glen Weldon [00:17]:
"Marvel's latest attempt to kickstart a franchise around their OG superhero Superteam is an eye-popping good time."

Casting and Character Chemistry

Jordan Morris praises the film for its faithful adaptation of comic elements and the chemistry among the cast. He appreciates the homage to Jack Kirby and the decision to start the narrative mid-story rather than delving into origin tales.

Jordan Morris [02:40]:
"It's fun, it's colorful, it is goofy, goofy, goofy. There is a lovely little tribute to Jack Kirby at the end of the movie, which I thought was nice."

Char Jassel echoes this sentiment, noting the accessibility of the film for both casual viewers and hardcore fans, and likens the viewing experience to watching a live-action video game.

Char Jassel [04:00]:
"I felt like I was like watching a video game, like a live-action video game on the big screen. And so that really drew me in."

Storytelling and Narrative Structure

The panel discusses the film's narrative approach, with Glen Weldon drawing parallels to "Superman" by starting the story without bogging down the audience with origin stories. This technique, he argues, mirrors how comic book readers often engage with characters.

Glen Weldon [06:00]:
"We're not comparing it to Superman, but let's compare it to Superman. Like, that movie is set in a recognizably contemporary time... This film is out of time, intentionally so. It's already a distant world."

Ronald Young Jr. appreciates the standalone nature of the movie but expresses concerns about its integration into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Ronald Young Jr. [04:48]:
"I liked this movie, it was a little bit of a line drive down the middle. But most of my quibbles with it come with the ways in which it's going to connect with the rest of the universe."

Production Design and Aesthetic

The production design receives substantial praise for its intentional out-of-time setting, combining 60s retro elements with futuristic technology. Char Jassel admires the set design, noting its flawless integration with the narrative's aesthetic.

Char Jassel [15:07]:
"I thought that the design was beautiful... It added to the flair."

Ronald Young Jr. compares the visual style to a blend of Jetsons-era futurism and steampunk, appreciating the cohesive and intentional design choices.

Ronald Young Jr. [15:16]:
"It felt very Jetsons futuristic, which is a past view of the distant. ... It felt like we were watching a comic book movie for real."

Character Development and Themes

A significant portion of the discussion centers on character development, particularly Sue Storm's evolution. Glen Weldon expresses concern that Sue's character becomes overly defined by her role as a mother, potentially regressing her character development.

Glen Weldon [07:41]:
"Sue becomes a mother over the course of the film. And I worry that that was coming to kind of define her character in this regressive way."

Ronald Young Jr. counters by highlighting the nuanced portrayal of Sue and how her development aligns with her narrative arc, likening her superhero act to real-life maternal heroism.

Ronald Young Jr. [12:04]:
"Sue lifting up a car to save her baby from underneath... That's exactly what I was thinking in that moment. This is the superhero version of that."

Char Jassel concurs, acknowledging the narrative necessity while noting moments where Sue’s characterization felt one-dimensional.

Char Jassel [13:15]:
"It leaned heavily into the tropes of, like, a mother's love and a mother's sacrifice... it did seem kind of one-dimensional."

Comparative Analysis with Other Superhero Films

The panel draws comparisons between "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" and other superhero films like "Superman," discussing similarities in tone and storytelling. Jordan Morris notes that while the film shares DNA with "Superman," it sometimes falls short in delivering the same level of humor and excitement.

Jordan Morris [07:41]:
"I think Superman had more. There’s a little moment in the credits here... that was part of that scene. And that's the kind of like, goofy goofballs comedy that I kind of wanted more of from this."

Ronald Young Jr. further elaborates on the film's pacing, suggesting that while the story is solid, it lacks standout sequences that elevate rewatchability.

Ronald Young Jr. [08:34]:
"What's bothering me... there's no particular sequence of events in this movie that I'm looking forward to seeing again outside of their visit to Galactus."

Panelists on Production Design and Visual Appeal

The discussion shifts to the film's production design, with Glen Weldon commending its intentional out-of-time setting that preserves the retro aesthetic.

Glen Weldon [14:58]:
"You know, Natasha Leon. I think that she added to the comedic fodder of this film... those bright 60s colors... those kind of things are what makes me pretty high in this movie."

Char Jassel appreciates the seamless blend of familiar cityscapes with imaginative elements, enhancing the film's unique visual identity.

Char Jassel [15:07]:
"It seemed like this hybrid city... I loved seeing Natasha Leon... those bright 60s colors."

Final Thoughts on Character Portrayal

Jordan Morris emphasizes the strong casting as a hallmark of Marvel's success, highlighting Vanessa Kirby's performance and the authentic portrayal of adult relationships within the superhero framework.

Jordan Morris [13:47]:
"I think that Vanessa Kirby is really good in this, and she and Pedro Pascal have chemistry... you do think that the characters in these have adult relationships. It's kind of nice to see."

Glen Weldon concludes with a positive note on the film's commitment to its unique setting and design, expressing optimism for its reception.

Glen Weldon [16:41]:
"This film is out of time, intentionally so... It's already a distant world... These are what makes me pretty high in this movie."

What’s Making Us Happy This Week

Transitioning to the beloved segment, "What’s Making Us Happy This Week," the panelists share personal recommendations:

• Jordan Morris recommends "Impossible People" by Julia Wertz, a humorous and honest graphic novel about sobriety.

  Jordan Morris [19:30]:
  "Impossible People by Julia Wirtz... it's really, really funny... it talks about what rehab is like and what happens when you relapse."

• Ronald Young Jr. shares his enthusiasm for Dropout, a streaming platform featuring improv and game shows reminiscent of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

  Ronald Young Jr. [20:37]:
  "It's like this generation's version of Whose Line, but all kinds of different shows. I've just been binging this because it just feels nice to see people play and have fun."

• Char Jassel expresses joy over the "Sex and the City" spinoff on HBO Max, appreciating its character evolution despite mixed reviews.

  Char Jassel [21:53]:
  "I love the evolution of these characters for better, for worse. It's a nice reminder of how things don't really end like the sloppiness of life."

• Glen Weldon introduces his pick, the board game Things in Rings, praising its engaging and adaptable gameplay suitable for various audiences.

  Glen Weldon [22:09]:
  "Things in Rings is a board game that brings all the pulse-pounding excitement... it's easy to learn... challenges both your abstract thinking and your logical thinking."

Conclusion

Glen Weldon wraps up the episode by acknowledging the contributions of the panelists and highlighting the thoughtful analysis provided on "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." He encourages listeners to engage with the podcast through surveys and social media before signing off.

Glen Weldon [24:14]:
"This episode was produced by Carly Rubin, Janae Morris and Mike Katsif and edited by our showrunner, Jessica Reedy. Thank you for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR. I'm Glenn Weldon and we'll see you all next week."

For more insights and discussions on the latest in pop culture, tune in to "Pop Culture Happy Hour" on NPR.