Fantastic Four superhero movie has powerful ‘Choose Life’ message at its core |
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - the superhero film currently in cinemas across Ireland - has been receiving rave reviews from both film critics and audiences alike. Within just days of its release, it grossed well over €200 million worldwide - making it the biggest release of its kind so far this year.
Its main characters - once astronauts exposed to radiation - return to Earth with incredible powers and newfound celebrity status. Early on it strikes a joyful note with Sue Storm - one of The Fantastic Four - discovering she’s pregnant. The other characters are thrilled with the news and the film showcases an amazing holographic image of the baby in utero.
The story then takes a dramatic turn when the villain Galactus demands the child’s life in exchange for sparing Earth, claiming the baby will develop immense and dangerous powers. The Fantastic Four make their decision public that they will not trade the child’s life for the planet’s safety. The announcement sparks panic and outrage; many view the child’s sacrifice as a necessary price for survival. But Sue addresses the world with grace and clarity. She shares a vision of courage and collaboration, insisting that humanity can rise to the challenge without sacrificing innocent life.
What follows is a deeply moving portrayal of parental love - especially the strength and resolve of a mother fighting to defend her child.
Whether deliberate or not, the filmmakers didn’t avoid the pro-life implications - perhaps reflecting a new openness within the industry for stories rooted in timeless values. The huge box office success of The Fantastic Four is likely to fuel even more interest in films that carry a similar message. | 
