The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Fourth time's the charm. 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe kicks off Phase Six of the Multiverse Saga with its inaugural introduction of Marvel's First Family. Taking place in an alternate timeline (Earth-828), it's a retro-futuristic, sci-fi take that works to great effect here. A shiny herald from outer space warns of a planet devourer, just as Reed Richards and Sue Storm announce their own bombshell to the world. This feels like a scaled down, intimate story, even as it encompasses the likes of Silver Surfer and Galactus while the fate of billions hangs in the balance. It manages to inject humanity and gravitas to the characters, making them feel like a real family. After numerous attempts in 1994, 2005, 2007 and 2015, they finally do justice to these characters. Best of all, you don't need to know anything else about the MCU in order to follow along. Similar to Superman (2025), it's not an origin story; it throws you straight into this world while remaining completely standalone from the rest (for now). So if you've been holding out on these movies, this is a good jumping off point. It's all part of the new direction of the MCU which will focus on the "hits" only. This will be followed by a new Spider-Man and Avengers movie in 2026, eventually culminating in Secret Wars.

3 clobberin' times out of 5

Note: Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to be released exactly one year from now; the longest time between theatrical dates in a good while.

Warfare (2025)

Based on true events, a platoon of U.S. Navy SEALs hole up in a residential area during a 2006 encounter in the Iraq War. The film is presented in "real time" and strives to be as realistic and gritty as possible, which translates to a lot of loud gunfire, shaky camerawork and people screaming for an hour and a half. You already know how this is going to turn out. What is the point of this film? To show that war isn't all it's cracked up to be? I think we all know that by now. War is boring. Real life isn't Call of Duty. There's no point glorifying it.

2 IEDs out of 5

Gladiator II (2024)

Ridley Scott returns to the director's chair 24 years later to bring us the sequel no one asked for. Taking place 16 years after the conclusion of the first story, Maximus is a distant memory and Rome has reverted back to its old ways. We are introduced to Hanno (Paul Mescal), who is taken into slavery, and you can just guess his connection to this plot. Rounding out the cast is Denzel and Pedro Pascal, whose allegiances flip-flop depending on the finicky demands of the script. This is another one of those films which audiences seem to lap up, but I can't for the life of me figure out why. It's technically competent but very dull, and never manages to rise out from underneath the shadow of the original Gladiator, which was superior in every respect. The plot feels completely derivative of what's come before, except this time we've got CGI baboons, rhinos and sharks added to the mix, along with even more senseless acts of violence in the arena. And, if you can believe it, Gladiator III is apparently already underway.

IIS flooded Colosseums out of V

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

Prequel to the popular A Quiet Place franchise. Does what it says on the tin.

One day, without any warning, alien monsters descend from the sky on a mission to wipe out humanity. They are blind, but follow their prey by sound. This film accomplishes pretty much the same task as the original, except it's in an urban setting and not everyone understands what is happening yet. They make easy pickings for the monsters, while one pensive, cancer-stricken woman (and her cat) navigate a path to survival amidst all the chaos and destruction. If you liked the other films, it'll be right up your alley. Not necessarily a bad flick, but prequels often don't add much to the mythology.

2½ pizza places out of 5