Fantastic Four Takes a Step in the Right Direction

My husband took me to see Fantastic Four: First Steps over the weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised by the film’s pro-natal messaging.

An avid comic book collector in childhood, Doug is still a big fan of the genre, so I’ve seen far more superhero flicks in our 38 years of marriage than my single self could’ve anticipated (though I’ve only reviewed a select few).

Several of the Marvel Universe’s recent offerings have been so problematic we haven’t bothered watching them at all, but the trailer for First Steps persuaded us to return to the theater. And I’m glad we went.

Never mind the fact the plot had more holes in it than Swiss Cheese. The Supers were starting a family! And — at least in my mind — all other story elements took a backseat to that one.

It’s interesting this movie should debut the same week newscasters announced the US general fertility rate has hit an all-time low, because First Steps hints at several pro-natal truths modern day movie goers would do well to remember.

7 Pro-Life Truths First Steps Got Right

1. A baby is not a given.

The movie opens with Reed and Sue in a bathroom. He’s asking her questions about where to find something. She is obviously distracted, her facial expression showing a wide range of emotions: excitement, uncertainty, disbelief, and perhaps even a hesitancy to get her hopes up.

She finally joins her husband at the sink and slides a positive pregnancy test over to him, which he stares at in amazement and wonder. In the conversation that ensues, we learn they’d tried for a baby for some time before finally giving up.

Infertility is a theme to which many movie-going couples will be able to relate. The fact is, just wanting a baby is no guarantee you’ll be able to have a baby — and certainly not on some strict time schedule of your own making.

That’s one reason I don’t even like the term “birth control.” Because the very wording suggests birth is something humans can control — as if we could conceive a baby just as easily as we can prevent one — when that is indisputably not the case.

2. A baby is a blessing.

The two discuss the fact they’d made peace with the idea of remaining childless. But Reed was quick to note, “This is better.” And Sue immediately smiles in agreement. “Yes. This is better.”

This was probably my favorite quote in the entire movie. As a Christian, I understand that “The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

And I know from experience that the most disruptive surprises the LORD sends our way often herald His biggest blessings. So I’m frequently forced to admit, “This isn’t what I planned, but it is better.”

The Bible tells us God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:9) And that is true. His plan for our life is perfect — as is His timing in bringing that plan to fruition.

3. An unborn baby is still a baby.

Thanks to Sue’s ability to make herself invisible, we got a clear picture of her developing baby inside the womb, underscoring the fact that a baby in utero is still very much a baby.

Incidentally, the “unborn” baby we glimpse in this scene looks like a fully developed two-month-old.

4. A baby’s birth is worthy of wonder.

The birth of any baby is a marvelous, miraculous event. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so let me just say that the birth scene in Fantastic Four was appropriately awe-inspiring without being too graphic.

I was impressed — but also grateful I never had to give birth under similar circumstances.

5. A baby’s life is worth protecting.

Babies are vulnerable and needy and completely dependent upon the care of others for survival.

You can tell a lot about a society by how it treats its weakest members. In times of crisis, a false dichotomy will often present itself — as if two and only two solutions exist to a particular problem, and neither is optimal.

Thankfully, the superheroes in Fantastic Four didn’t buy this bleak narrative. They continued to brainstorm, kept thinking outside the box, kept searching for an answer that valued and protected all life rather than pitting one group against the other.

I appreciate Sue’s explanation to a hostile crowd as to why they did this: ““That’s what family is. It’s about fighting for something bigger than yourself. Connecting to something bigger than yourself.”

6. A baby is a big responsibility.

Having a baby involves so much more than giving birth. I means loving, nurturing, teaching, training, watching over your little one, and doing all you can to keep him safe.

Anybody who threatens to interfere with that process risks provoking a mama bear response. This is exactly what viewers witnessed in Sue. She was fierce, and I suspect every mother in the theater could relate to her turmoil, could feel her pain, and was cheering her on.

7. A baby needs supernatural protection.

In the end, it took every ounce of supernatural strength Sue had to achieve her goal.

But for the rest of us? We don’t possess any supernatural powers to make motherhood easier — but, praise be to God, we can tap into such strength if we know the LORD.

God can bless and multiply our efforts to watch over our babies and can keep His protective hand over them at all times, both when we are physically present and when we are absent. Besides, as Psalm 127:1 explains, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

It’s a comfort to know that I don’t have to be a superhero to build a home or form a family or guard the lives of the children the LORD has entrusted to my care. I only need the Him.

God has promised to provide all wisdom, love, strength, patience, sustaining grace, and everything else I require in my role as a mother. No superpowers necessary.

With all that going for it, it seems fitting for First Steps to be my favorite by far in the Fantastic Four Franchise. Do you feel the same way? Then leave a comment or follow along.

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The Word of God is full of wisdom for every facet of life, but we’ve found it especially helpful in building a happy, healthy marriage. For a fascinating look at how science has confirmed the superiority of God’s design, check out my book Love Your Husband/Love Yourself.