SPOILER FREE REVIEW

Synopsis: Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer.

The Fantastic Four have had a rocky history on the big screen, but Marvel’s latest attempt, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps,’ finally gets it right. This marks the fourth try at bringing Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s iconic heroes to life. The first was the ultra-low-budget Roger Corman version, which Marvel buried before release (though fans can still find bootlegs). Then came Fox’s early-2000s movies, which had a likable cast—Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis among them—but never quite nailed the tone, leaning too heavily on campy dialogue and clunky effects. The 2015 reboot took a darker, brooding approach, but it tanked, turning Dr. Doom into a sulking villain with little menace.

With ‘First Steps,’ Marvel has gone back to the drawing board and delivered the best live-action take on the team yet. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe has lost some of its momentum, weighed down by increasingly complicated storylines and a relentless stream of interconnected films and TV shows that demand too much of the audience.

Director Matt Shakman approaches the story with a retro-futuristic style and makes the smart choice to skip the familiar origin story altogether. Rather than watching the team gain their powers (again), we meet them as already-established heroes. While I usually enjoy seeing how ordinary people adjust to extraordinary abilities, this movie flips the formula in a way that works. Instead of the usual learning to be heroes arc, the story dives straight into a massive threat — none other than the planet-devouring Galactus, arguably Marvel’s biggest villain.

Set in the early 1960s in an alternative timeline, the film has a vintage feel, opening with the team appearing on a variety show reminiscent of ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ celebrating their four years of protecting Earth from quirky, smaller-scale villains like Mole Man (played with comedic flair by Paul Walter Hauser) and Red Ghost. The movie’s world-building is fantastic, especially with the sleek design of the Baxter Building — their futuristic Manhattan headquarters.

The personal side of the characters gets as much attention as the action. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) are married and expecting a baby, which raises unique concerns about how their cosmic-ray-induced powers might affect their child. This domestic element recalls what made ‘The Incredibles’ so beloved — unsurprising, since Brad Bird has admitted that Pixar’s superhero family drew inspiration from the Fantastic Four. Composer Michael Giacchino, who scored ‘The Incredibles,’ adds another layer of connection here with calming, emotional components, leading all the way up to the fun new theme for the quartet; to the point where you yourself would want to scream “FANTASTIC FOUR.” The score certainly serves its purpose, and if this film released 20 years ago, the music would be seen as a staple in superhero cinema.

The rest of the team is equally engaging. Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), Sue’s fiery younger brother, provides plenty of charisma and humor as the Human Torch, while Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), better known as the Thing, struggles with his rocky exterior and his feelings for Rachel Rozman (Natasha Lyonne). Thanks to modern CGI, Ben is far more expressive than the foam-suit version from the 2000s films. Meanwhile, Pascal brings a gravitas to Mr. Fantastic that previous portrayals lacked, and Kirby shines in some emotionally charged moments, especially when Sue gives birth — in space, no less.

The arrival of Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), or rather; Silver Surfer, kicks the plot into high gear. Her sleek, metallic design isn’t quite as jaw-dropping as it could be, but Garner’s performance brings a unique dynamic, especially in her interactions with Johnny. While Dr. Doom is teased for a future film, Galactus and his herald are anything but second-tier threats, and they arguably surpass the menace of Thanos.

Fans will find plenty of nods to the comics and past animated series, from familiar catchphrases to subtle hints about Sue’s pregnancy (comic readers will know where that’s going). The movie even has moments that feel like a live-action version of ‘The Jetsons,’ with its bright, mid-century modern design, Reed’s high-tech lab, and the team’s flying car, the Fantasticar. Production designer Kasra Farahani deserves a lot of credit for giving the film such a distinct, colorful look.

What’s refreshing is that you don’t need to have seen every Marvel show or movie to follow what’s happening here. ‘First Steps’ stands on its own, striking a balance between being kid-friendly and genuinely funny without tipping into parody. It sets the stage for Marvel’s ‘phase six,’ which is expected to culminate in another two-part Avengers event from the Russo brothers.

In the end, this movie feels like a true reset for the franchise — something Marvel desperately needed. Much like DC’s recent ‘Superman’ reboot, ‘First Steps’ might be the breath of fresh air audiences need to shake off their superhero fatigue.

Our score: ★★★½
(out of 5 stars)

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