The Marvel Cinematic Universe officially kicks off Phase 6 with Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch has a LOT to say about it.

In this episode of Giant Mess, I break down Marvel’s retro-futuristic, 1960s-set reboot of the Fantastic Four — from the stunning visuals and cosmic scale to the big creative swings (and safe choices) that have fans divided.

I dig into:

• Why this is the best Fantastic Four movie yet — but still feels restrained

• The decision to skip an origin story (and why that mostly works)

• Galactus as a true cosmic threat (finally done right)

• Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer and whether the character still connects with modern audiences

• Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn & Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s performances

• How Sue Storm is a tour-de-force

• Cut villains, MCU Easter eggs, and what this movie sets up next

I also dive into Fantastic Four movie history, Marvel rights chaos, and where this reboot fits into the bigger MCU multiverse picture — with plenty of side tangents, sarcasm, and interstellar energy along the way.

🎬 Is Fantastic Four: First Steps the fresh start Marvel needed… or just a safe reset?

Movie Reviews - https://bit.ly/GiantMessMovieReviews

TV Show Reactions - https://bit.ly/GiantMessTV

Funny Stories - https://bit.ly/GiantMessFunnyStories

New York Giants Fan Rants & Analysis - ⁠https://bit.ly/NYGiantsYTPlaylist⁠

NY Mets Fan Rants & Analysis - ⁠https://bit.ly/MetsYTPlaylist⁠

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

Neal Lynch is the creator and host of Giant Mess, a podcast blending sports commentary, pop culture analysis, and storytelling. Former 4th string quarterback and middle relief pitcher at a Division III school. Degrees in Film & Media Studies and Communications. Helped multiple major media and entertainment publishers develop, produce, optimize, distribute, and promote videos across web, video, and social media platforms. Single dad who loves to blog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a weird sports and entertainment comedy podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal covers New York Giants football, NY Mets baseball, movies, and TV shows, mixing in funny stories along the way. Episodes focus on movie reviews, tv show recaps, post-game analysis, predictions, breakdowns, reactions, and funny stories.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Podcast Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

In this emotionally charged episode of Giant Mess, Neal Lynch reacts to one of the most frustrating offseasons in Mets history. From trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien, letting Pete Alonso walk to the Orioles, and watching Edwin Díaz head to L.A., Neal dives into all the monumental moves, the questionable decisions by David Stearns, and the eerie silence from Steve Cohen.

Is the focus on defense worth dismantling the heart of the team? Has Stearns pulled the plug too soon? With Soto left standing and everyone else gone, what’s next for the Mets—and for a fanbase already reeling? Neal unpacks it all with his signature blend of heart, humor, and heartbreak.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:37 - Is This One Of The Saddest Offseasons in Mets History?

00:12:42 - Silver Slugger & Gold Glove Award Finalists

00:21:31 - Coaching Staff Changes

00:25:02 - Status of Unrestricted Free Agents From 2025 Mets Roster

00:31:59 - Trade Candidates: Kodai Senga, Mark Vientos, Jeff McNeil

00:35:18 - Expectations for Brett Baty & Mets Hall of Fame Inductees

00:37:45 - Brandon Nimmo Trade Reaction + Marcus Semien Stats

00:53:39 - Signing Free Agent Closer Devin Williams

00:58:36 - Edwin Diaz Signing With Dodgers, Tyler Rogers Signing With Blue Jays

01:07:40 - Pete Alonso Signing With Orioles

01:16:22 - Signing Free Agent Infielder Jorge Polanco

01:21:53 - Which Move Hurt The Most? Do We Trust Stearns & Cohen’s Vision?

01:25:12 - Francisco Lindor & Tarik Skubal Trade Rumors

#Mets #MLB #MLBHotStove #PeteAlonso #BrandonNimmo #EdwinDiaz #DavidStearns #SteveCohen #MLBTrades #MetsOffseason #Baseball #MetsFans #JuanSoto #MarcusSemien #JorgePolanco

New York Giants Fan Rants & Analysis - https://bit.ly/NYGiantsYTPlaylist

NY Mets Fan Rants & Analysis - https://bit.ly/MetsYTPlaylist

Movie Reviews - https://bit.ly/GiantMessMovieReviews

TV Show Reactions - https://bit.ly/GiantMessTV

Funny Stories - https://bit.ly/GiantMessFunnyStories

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

Neal Lynch is the creator and host of Giant Mess, a podcast blending sports commentary, pop culture analysis, and storytelling. Former 4th string quarterback and middle relief pitcher at a Division III school. Degrees in Film & Media Studies and Communications. Helped multiple major media and entertainment publishers develop, produce, optimize, distribute, and promote videos across web, video, and social media platforms. Single dad who loves to blog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a weird sports and entertainment comedy podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal covers New York Giants football, NY Mets baseball, movies, and TV shows, mixing in funny stories along the way. Episodes focus on movie reviews, tv show recaps, post-game analysis, predictions, breakdowns, reactions, and funny stories.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Podcast Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

In this week's cathartic therapy session, Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch returns from his burnout sabbatical to deliver a scorching recap of the Giants’ losses vs the Commanders, Patriots, and Lions. From Dexter Lawrence’s "nicked up" mystery to Abdul Carter’s accountability, the dysfunction overfloweth. Neal reacts to the firing of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Charlie Bullen's time as DC, Mike Kafka's stint as interim head coach, Joe Schoen’s “I understand the question” bye week press conference, and more.

#GiantMess #NYGiants #DexterLawrence #AbdulCarter #JoeSchoen #MikeKafka #JameisWinston #GiantsOffense #GiantsDefense #JaxsonDart

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:30 - Reacting to Giants’ Blown Lead vs Lions, Shane Bowen Finally Fired

00:26:41 - Giants Decimated by Patriots, What’s Up with Abdul Carter?

00:54:37 - Why Joe Schoen’s Bye Week Press Conference Should Be His Last

01:08:02 - Giants Sleep-Walk vs Commanders

01:40:46 - Giants Are Officially The Worst Team in NFL + Draft Order

01:42:50 - Vikings Week 16 Preview

01:49:21 - Is This Bad Giants Defense the Worst In Franchise History?

New York Giants Fan Rants & Analysis - https://bit.ly/NYGiantsYTPlaylist

NY Mets Fan Rants & Analysis - https://bit.ly/MetsYTPlaylist

Movie Reviews - https://bit.ly/GiantMessMovieReviews

TV Show Reactions - https://bit.ly/GiantMessTV

Funny Stories - https://bit.ly/GiantMessFunnyStories

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

Neal Lynch is the creator and host of Giant Mess, a podcast blending sports commentary, pop culture analysis, and storytelling. Former 4th string quarterback and middle relief pitcher at a Division III school. Degrees in Film & Media Studies and Communications. Helped multiple major media and entertainment publishers develop, produce, optimize, distribute, and promote videos across web, video, and social media platforms. Single dad who loves to blog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a weird sports and entertainment comedy podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal covers New York Giants football, NY Mets baseball, movies, and TV shows, mixing in funny stories along the way. Episodes focus on movie reviews, tv show recaps, post-game analysis, predictions, breakdowns, reactions, and funny stories.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Podcast Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠