Entertainment

Now Playing: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Marvel’s first family, finally done right

Published

July 23, 2025

Unlike many of the superhero flicks that came out in the mid 2000s, I wasn’t at all familiar with the true nature of the Fantastic Four. Other than shaky memories of old cartoons I saw on TV, the 2005 film was basically my first introduction to their origin story.

It wasn’t until years later that I learned just how much of a disservice it had done to their general characterizations. Don’t get me wrong. Those two films have a special place in my heart (mostly because of Jessica Alba). But the MCU’s latest – The Fantastic Four: First Steps – absolutely hit the nail on the head.

Instead of just caricatures or stereotypes with lines, the film does a lot to show us who Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm are as people. We’re shown how they feel, what burdens them, and why they do what they do.

Mathematical. Ethical. Available.

(L-R) Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman.

These were lines uttered by Reed (Pedro Pascal) and repeated by Sue (Vanessa Kirby) as they debated over the central conflict of the film. This scene stuck out the most to me because it perfectly characterized Reed and Sue.

I really can’t be too specific here but this scene was the perfect encapsulation of Reed Richards. He is a man “cursed with knowledge” but was at a complete loss on how to deal with their predicament.

Mild spoiler but this was shown in some late trailers: when Reed responded “I don’t know” to a reporter, that said a lot. Smartest man in the universe, and that was all he could muster.

Sue, meanwhile, shines as both the moral compass and emotional anchor of the team…err, the family. This film gives her strength and agency that the previous iterations simply failed to do.

Pascal and Kirby’s Reed and Sue are the best on-screen versions of the characters. Full stop.

Ben and Johnny

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing.

Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) was absolutely charming in this film. He was always bright and cheerful in a way that’s super endearing.

He is, of course, still tortured by the same “thing” that previous versions of this character were. But here, it was handled very subtly. He was shown to be a dependable pillar without being imposing.

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch

Johnny Storm also feels right. Still played to be a ladies’ man, Joseph Quinn’s Johnny is more boy-next-door playful rather than Chris Evans’ matinee idol asshole.

He also gets to show off sides of himself that add more layers to the character. Certainly much more than what we’ve seen before.

More than their powers

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps does a fantastic job of showing us that these aren’t just Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Thing, and The Human Torch. They are Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny.

They’re explorers before they’re superheroes, and humans before they’re public figures. And they do what they do to protect and preserve their family (you know the meme).

Galactus and The Herald

Scene still from 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS.

First of all, I’m just glad we finally got a proper Galactus and not just some space clouds. In this film, the Planet-devouring entity was colossal, overwhelming, and for all intents and purposes, a force that precedes nature itself.

Galactus was as unstoppable and imposing as he needed to be. I’m personally enthused that Ralph Ineson was cast for this role. I first learned of him in Final Fantasy 16 where he played Cid. Just loved his voice so much and knew it would be perfect for Galactus.

Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer.

The choice to go with a female Silver Surfer worked out for this particular story. She had plenty of moments with Johnny that culminated in a scene where both characters got to shine.

Should you watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a film that finally gets Marvel’s first family right. The audience is primed to appreciate the characters for who they are, not just because they gained powers.

The film’s central conflict is a moral dilemma — one that’s been asked hypothetically in media, during post-night-out chats, drunken sleepovers, and the like. It’s not a new question but one that’s tackled here sincerely without being preachy.

I haven’t even talked about how gorgeous retro-future New York looks!

As an MCU film, this one barely requires any homework from previous films in the franchise. As a standalone film, it has a good balance of deep character moments, lighthearted banter, and superhero spectacle.

Overall, this is an easy Swipe Right. It’s heartfelt, heroic, and finally gives Marvel’s first family the spotlight they deserve.

Entertainment

Dune: Part Three teaser trailer: First look at Robert Pattinson’s Scytale

In cinemas this December

Published

March 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

Courtesy: Warner Bros. Studios

The countdown is officially on as Warner Bros. Pictures has released the teaser trailer for Dune: Part Three.

The epic conclusion to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” trilogy opens in cinemas and IMAX this December.

In addition, character posters have also been released. Here are some, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures:

The highly anticipated film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy and Isaach De Bankolé.

The trailer, meanwhile, gives an excellent first look at Pattinson as the main antagonist of the final installment, Scytale.

In the final movie, the plot jumps ahead 17 years after Chalamet’s Paul Atreides ascended to the throne.

There will be a dramatic change in the tone from the first two films, focusing more on psychological thriller instead of a war epic, given the visuals of the previous two installments.

Atreides is now a battle-hardened Emperor, struggling with the “Holy War” that has claimed 61 million lives.

Worse, Scytale will lead a conspiracy from within that attempts to overthrow the protagonist’s empire.

Pattinson’s character will mess with Atreides’ head instead of pure brawns, in a bid to wear him down. This presents the central conflict of the upcoming film.

Entertainment

WATCH: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie final trailer

In cinemas this April

Published

March 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

Courtesy: Universal Studios

Universal Pictures has released the final trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which hits cinemas early next month.

Chris Pratt and Charlie Day return to play the iconic brothers Mario and Luigi, with the group getting bigger and more lovable with the addition of Donald Glover’s Yoshi.

Other actors returning to voice beloved characters from the franchise are:

Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
Jack Black as Bowser
Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
Brie Larson as Rosalina

Worth noting, the Captain Marvel and The Marvels lead actress, Larson, fulfills her dream as a Super Mario fan as her character makes her big-screen debut.

Courtesy: Universal Studios

In The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the plumber brothers are sent into space to save Rosalina from the clutches of Bowser Jr.

Coming along for the ride are Princess Peach, Toad, and Yoshi, their newest companion.

More beloved characters will make their first big-screen appearances, including Pikmin, R.O.B., Birdo, and more.

The trailer also highlights some of the wonderful worlds the protagonists will visit, from the Preshistoric Falls to the Honeyhive Galaxy.

The film will show in theaters on April 1 in the United States and April 4 in the Philippines.

Watch the final trailer here:

Entertainment

Spider-Man: Brand New Day first trailer hits hard — and gets weird

What’s happening to Peter?

Published

March 18, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

All images are screenshots from the trailer

Spider-Man is back — and this time, it doesn’t feel safe.

The first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day just dropped, and it’s equal parts heartbreaking, chaotic, and… a little unsettling. The kind of trailer that makes you pause halfway through and go, “Wait, what is happening to Peter?”

Because this isn’t just about swinging through New York anymore.

This is about what happens after Peter Parker chooses to disappear.

A lonelier Spider-Man

The trailer opens with Peter hanging upside down high above the city, quietly watching MJ and Ned Leeds celebrate their first day at MIT.

They’ve moved on. They’re happy. And Peter… doesn’t exist to them anymore.

That idea lingers through the next few scenes. He rehearses introductions like a stranger trying to fit in and washes his bloodied suit in a laundromat. He carries on as Spider-Man, even receiving a Key to the City — while Peter Parker fades into the background.

Things get violent, fast

Then the trailer flips.

We see a little moment between Frrank Castle (The Punisher) and Spidey. The exchange was lighthearted but also brutal. Spidey ends up immobilizing Frank and tells him to “Go home.” Could be a quick nod to Tom Holland’s “Home” trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

And in the middle of it all, Scorpion finally emerges as a major threat, alongside a brute with mechanical gauntlets and a swarm of red-clad ninjas.

This isn’t your usual friendly neighborhood lineup.

Something is wrong with Peter

And then there’s the part that really sticks.

Peter starts deteriorating. He looks sick. Sweaty. Unstable. At one point, he collapses completely.

Then comes the reveal: Peter trapped inside a massive web cocoon — before violently breaking out of it.

He seeks out Bruce Banner, who seems to confirm what we’re all thinking — something is very wrong with Peter’s DNA. His warning? Mutation at this level is dangerous.

Paired with the narration about a spider’s life cycle and Banner’s warning, it really feels like the film is setting up a Man-Spider arc. A version of Peter where the mutation goes too far. Where the line between hero and something else starts to blur.

If that’s where this is headed, Brand New Day might be the most unsettling Spider-Man story we’ve seen on screen.