The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks a stylistic shift for the MCU, as WandaVision director Matt Shakman leans fully into a retro-futurist vision of Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four. Set on an alternate Earth, the film evokes shades of 1960s sci-fi and the gleaming optimism that characterized those futuristic films. It feels like a warm love letter to vintage ’60s aesthetics as it embraces film looks of the time, notably changing aspect ratios a few times, but primarily through the film’s production and costume design. It’s an ambitious move for the film side of the MCU, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first visually distinct film they’ve made. It beats the usual complaints of Marvel’s often very grey and bland cinematography.
The latest MCU entry follows the Fantastic Four, a superhero quartet and family, who gained extraordinary powers after going to space. When they returned to Earth, Marvel’s First Family stepped up to protect their city from all sorts of threats. Everything changes as Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) find out they’re having a baby, which coincides with the sudden arrival of the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), who warns Earth’s protectors that their planet has been marked for death.
The Fantastic Four take initiative and head to space, where they see Galactus, the Silver Surfer’s master, destroying planets firsthand. Things go awry during their meeting with the all-powerful Marvel villain, and somehow they manage to get back to Earth safe and sound. From here, the family get planning for how they could stop Galactus as his ship moves toward Earth.
Narratively, The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t fully land. While the retro flair is fun and quirky, the story stumbles under the weight of familiar superhero movie tropes. Galactus looms as an impressive cosmic threat; his arrival is genuinely chilling, but the payoff with him is frustratingly underwhelming. The film hints at major consequences for Earth, then backs away at the last moment, opting for a safe finale that goes against the world-ending threat the film worked so hard to build.
The Fantastic Four’s character development suffers from overcrowding. The Fantastic Four themselves feel more like archetypes than nuanced individuals, with only a few moments of emotional depth. Running under two hours, there isn’t enough time for proper character development, as when it gets started, it’s quickly interrupted by the next plot beat. Silver Surfer is a standout presence in the film; she has a few great scenes, but her backstory is rather weak and surface-level. With so many threads competing for attention, there’s not enough room to fully invest in everyone. Most characters feel half-baked, although there will be room to develop them further in other MCU films.
Still, the cast works well with what they’re given. Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is a calm and calculated hero and father, while Vanessa Kirby brings heart to Sue Storm. Ebon Moss-Bachrach adds much-needed humanity to Ben Grimm. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm delivers energy and charm, though he feels more like comic relief. The team’s chemistry is good, and they all bounce off each other well during fight scenes.
The production design is easily the film’s strongest suit. From 60s-style TV show sets to the primary-colored costumes and backdrops, everything feels meticulously curated to evoke a nostalgic, alternate future. While it’s easy to be swept up in the aesthetic, the style often overshadows the storytelling. Michael Giacchino’s score is a highlight, mirroring the film’s nostalgic aesthetic with various, epic, heroic, and sweeping musical pieces. It matches the film’s retro energy without feeling derivative and helps elevate the emotional stakes.
For all its ambition, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a mixed bag. It’s undeniably the best Fantastic Four adaptation yet, but that’s a low bar. While it’s entertaining and visually inventive, it doesn’t quite reinvent the MCU wheel. Claims that “the MCU is back” feel premature, especially with Thunderbolts* being a superior film. “Was the MCU back before The Fantastic Four?” perhaps should be the question. Shakman delivers a refreshing change of pace as his stylistic choices take the lead here in this mixed MCU entry.
Score: 3 out of 5.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters.