3 Powerful Pro-Life Lessons in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

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1. An Unborn Baby Really Is, Indeed, a Baby

For decades, the pro-life community has believed that sonograms hold the power to change hearts -- that when a woman sees her unborn child moving and thriving, the decision to choose life becomes far more likely.

Reed and Sue are not considering abortion. But Reed -- deeply concerned about the health of their unborn child, given the couple’s unique DNA --  begins to worry something could be wrong. So he does what any superhero father with extraordinary powers might do: He uses his abilities to peer into Sue’s womb, performing an impromptu sonogram by gently placing his hand on her belly -- a moment moviegoers get to witness.

Guess what? Their unborn baby is far more than a “clump of cells.” Indeed, their baby is, indeed, a baby -- with a tiny nose and ears, delicate fingers and toes, all perfectly formed. 

“There’s nothing wrong. He’s absolutely perfect,” Sue says.

Scripture would agree. Long ago, King David wrote, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14).

Even in a world of superheroes and cosmic battles, the truth of life’s sacredness still shines through.

Photo Credit: ©Disney

2. Life Is Worth Celebrating

No doubt, Sue’s pregnancy could affect her ability to fight alongside the team -- and that moment unfolds in breathtaking fashion when she suddenly goes into labor just as the Fantastic Four are frantically fleeing the Silver Surfer, hurtling through space at light speed while trying to navigate around a black hole on their return to Earth. They survive that harrowing encounter, and thankfully, Sue delivers a healthy baby boy -- a miracle they name Franklin.

The world celebrates -- just as it celebrated when Reed and Sue initially announced their pregnancy. The rugged-looking Thing breaks into a smile when he realizes his close friends are finally going to be parents. Moments later, the foursome gathers for a group hug. 

“You are gonna be the best mom! You are gonna be the best dad!” they’re told. 

News of the superhero baby floods headlines and television broadcasts, as talking heads speculate about the question on everyone’s mind: Will the baby be born with powers?

The baby is the emotional heartbeat of the film -- both before and after birth. Reed frequently places his hand on Sue’s womb, a quiet yet powerful affirmation that their unborn son is already a life worth loving.

Franklin’s birth is met with great fanfare, complete with a televised news conference and cheering crowds. 

But that joy soon gives way to a growing ethical debate. 

Photo Credit: ©Disney

3. Life Is Worth Protecting

The Fantastic Four travel to Galactus’ corner of the universe with one goal: to stop him before he reaches Earth. It’s at this critical moment that the film’s cosmic villain delivers his chilling ultimatum: He wants the baby … or the planet. The foursome immediately rejects the offer and returns to Earth to deliver the grim news. 

But not everyone agrees with their decision not to sacrifice Franklin. After all -- some argue -- what is one child compared to the survival of billions?

In fact, a crowd of several thousand assembles outside the Fantastic Four tower, protesting what they consider the team’s selfishness. 

“Give us the baby!” one person shouts.

Moments later, though, Sue Storm calmly walks out of the building, holding Franklin in her arms -- not to surrender him, but to win over her critics.

Family, she says, is “about fighting for something bigger than yourself.”

“I will not sacrifice my child for this world, but I will not sacrifice this world for my child,” she says.

Earth’s citizens will fight and defeat Galactus together -- “as a family,” she adds.

This “defend life” mantra is seen in the real world, too -- on the battlefield, when an injured soldier is rescued at great risk to others; in disaster zones, when rescue teams dig through dangerous rubble for hours to save one trapped survivor; and in burning buildings, when firefighters rush inside, not knowing if they’ll make it back. 

And perhaps nowhere is this instinct more powerful than in the heart of a parent -- willing to face any threat, bear any cost, and defy all odds to protect their child. Sue Storm faces that dilemma in the film’s final moments -- a moving scene that echoes every fierce “mama bear” story you’ve ever heard.

Of course, Marvel didn’t set out to make a pro-life film -- it simply aimed to tell a compelling superhero story about a couple, their child and a cosmic-scale ethical dilemma. 

Still, it’s refreshing when a Hollywood blockbuster, even perhaps unintentionally, echoes the timeless values found in Scripture.

Rated PG-13 for action/violence and some language. Language details: OMG (3), s--t (1), h-ll (1), misuse of “Jesus” (1).

Entertainment rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Photo Credit: ©Disney