Marvel’s First Family finally joins the MCU in a retro-styled, character-driven chapter that plays it safe but has enough charm to entertain.
After a few recent misfires and clear signs of superhero fatigue, Fantastic Four: First Steps feels like Marvel hitting the brakes a little. This is a solid, easy-to-watch “episode” in the sprawling MCU saga, focusing on character dynamics, a lighter vibe, and a pretty distinctive visual style.
The film is set in a retro-futuristic 1960s, where we meet Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — already established as the world’s most famous superhero team. No lengthy origin story here; while there is a quick origin recap, it’s mostly a case of dropping in and catching up. The group’s rhythm and place in society are already in play. It’s simple yet effective, especially since the story, at least for the most part, cares more about their family bond than bombastic, CGI-heavy set-pieces.
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Visually, First Steps serves up a bit of a different look for the MCU. The film mixes mid-century design with sci-fi flair — think flying cars, swivel chairs, and a kind of hopeful futurism that wouldn’t feel out of place in The Jetsons. Practical sets and props give it a tactile, lived-in feel that contrasts nicely with Marvel’s more digital-heavy outings.
That’s not to say it’s light on digital spectacle. There’s a great space-set sequence that’s easily one of the film’s visual highlights. Overall, the effects do their job and mostly avoid overshadowing the characters. Most of the CG works well, though a few moments feel a bit rough. And yes, cinema continues its tradition of rolling out CG and CG-assisted babies. To the film’s credit, it looks like they used a real baby when possible, which helps avoid the visual weirdness we’ve seen elsewhere. Still, even here, there are a few uncanny moments where the digital tweaks are hard to ignore.
The real strength of the film lies in the team’s chemistry. Pascal and Kirby take the lead, with their relationship — and the arrival of their baby — forming the emotional core. Moss-Bachrach’s Ben is like the group’s kind-hearted uncle. He’s charming, though a bit underused. There’s a sweet romantic subplot with Natasha Lyonne’s character, but it barely gets any focus. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm gets a bit more attention, yet both he and Ben end up in supporting roles as the story zeroes in on Reed and Sue. Lyonne and Paul Walter Hauser bring energy, though neither gets much time to shine.
Julia Garner is solid as the Silver Surfer, managing to convey emotion beneath layers of CG. As for Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, he’s more of a looming force than a proper character. Galactus does impress visually, but he’s not exactly rich with depth. What does hit emotionally is the threat to Reed and Sue’s unborn child, which becomes the central dramatic thread and raises the stakes in a way that feels personal rather than just cosmic.
Director Matt Shakman juggles humour, heart, and action fairly well. The film’s warm, light tone gives it charm, though it does mean First Steps doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. It’s easy to enjoy in the moment, and just as easy to move on from once the credits roll.
Marvel’s superhero dominance may have hit a downturn of late — Thunderbolts, for instance, was a solid film that struggled to pull in big crowds — but First Steps shows the studio’s at least trying to shift gears. Whether this film plays a hand in reigniting excitement or not, it’s a likeable intro to the Fantastic Four’s place in the MCU.
