A Retro-Futuristic Revival of Marvel’s First Family
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps, director Matt Shakman sets the stage for a fresh chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — or rather, outside it. Set on Earth-828 and steeped in 1960s-inspired aesthetics, this second reboot of Marvel’s First Family feels like a warm, familiar embrace wrapped in futuristic fabric. Shakman draws from his WandaVision playbook and even echoes the cinematic language of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, using practical effects, vivid colors, and 16mm film textures to great effect.
The result? A visually distinct and tonally balanced superhero film that manages to be both playful and earnest. It’s not trying to reinvent the superhero genre, but instead deliver a story with heart, high stakes, and human emotion — something the MCU has been sorely lacking post-Endgame.
Meet the Fantastic Four — Chemistry that Carries
The heart of First Steps lies in its central quartet. Pedro Pascal brings a steady, if slightly weary, gravitas to Reed Richards — the brains of the team and a soon-to-be father. Vanessa Kirby is the film’s emotional anchor as Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, whose performance blends vulnerability and steel. As a pregnant superhero preparing for motherhood amidst planetary chaos, Kirby grounds the film with a realism that shines brighter than any CGI effect.
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm round out the team with flair. Quinn’s cocky charm as the Human Torch is tempered by a surprising emotional depth, particularly in his interactions with the mysterious Silver Surfer. Moss-Bachrach brings warmth to the rocky exterior of The Thing, though his performance is sometimes buried under heavy digital rendering.
Galactus and the Stakes That Matter
The narrative may seem simple at first glance — Earth is threatened by the cosmic devourer Galactus (voiced with menace by Ralph Ineson), and the Silver Surfer (a striking Julia Garner) delivers an ultimatum: surrender the child of Reed and Sue, or watch Earth be consumed.
But within this framework, First Steps builds tension through personal stakes. The unborn child, Franklin, becomes the center of a moral and emotional conflict, elevating the film beyond the usual city-destroying spectacle. There’s a real sense of dread, of things falling apart, but the film never sinks into gloom. Shakman masterfully blends spectacle with sentiment, keeping things moving at a brisk pace while never losing sight of the human (and superhuman) drama.
Galactus, thankfully, is no Kang or Gorr. He is towering and omnipotent, but not cartoonishly evil. His presence looms large, literally and narratively, and it feels like Marvel finally has a villain worthy of its legacy again.
Self-Contained and Surprisingly Refreshing
Unlike the bloated, reference-heavy entanglements of recent MCU entries, First Steps stands on its own. There’s no homework required — no need to remember obscure characters from Disney+ series or post-credit scenes from five films ago. This film understands that not every superhero movie needs to be a universe-building exercise. It focuses instead on telling a single, coherent story — a welcome return to the roots of cinematic storytelling.
The pacing is tight across its 114-minute runtime. There’s no unnecessary fat, and yet the film finds room for quiet moments, witty banter, and character growth. The retro-futuristic production design, the emotionally resonant subplot of impending parenthood, and the well-crafted action sequences all work together to make this a polished package.
Where It Falls Short
That said, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not without flaws. The emotional beats, while effective, never quite reach the transcendent highs of earlier MCU classics. Some of the humor feels a bit too safe, and the third act, though visually spectacular, leans on familiar tropes.
Most notably, while the film tries to do a lot — family drama, cosmic stakes, social commentary — it sometimes spreads itself thin. The finale hints at more to come, with a mid-credit tease toward Avengers: Doomsday, but it lacks the dramatic punch that could’ve made it a truly unforgettable outing.
Final Verdict
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Marvel’s best effort in recent years to recalibrate its sprawling universe. With charming performances, clean storytelling, and a refreshing retro aesthetic, it breathes life into a franchise that had been long dormant. While it doesn’t quite soar to the heights of No Way Home or Infinity War, it succeeds where it matters most — reminding us why we fell in love with Marvel in the first place.