‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Review: Ushering In a New Era of Marvel Excellence

Every time Marvel Studios releases a great movie like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 or Thunderbolts*, people love to proclaim that “Marvel is back.” The truth is, they never really left. While not every film since Avengers: Endgame has been a hit, neither was every movie before its release. However, despite projects like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings being certified bangers, audience sentiment has generally cooled toward Marvel Studios films. Thankfully for the studio, Matt Shakman‘s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is likely to become a worldwide phenomenon.

The long-awaited debut for Marvel’s First Family is a resounding success, and frankly, one of the best movies in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Fantastic Four: First Steps features an epic score by Michael Giacchino, brilliant visuals, and, most of all, a perfectly cast group of actors who beautifully embody the characters individually and together as a family.

Although the film occasionally suffers from some wonky CGI (I’m looking directly at you, Franklin), the positives far outweigh the negatives. For the most part, the visuals throughout the movie are incredible, and the family dynamic shared by the main cast is the film’s high point. Pedro Pascal silences any doubts there may have been around his casting of Reed Richards, and Vanessa Kirby‘s performance as Sue Storm is one of the strongest in the entirety of the MCU. Despite Marvel nearing the end of their Multiverse Saga, The Fantastic Four: First Steps feels like a fresh and hopeful beginning for the franchise.

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Is a Family Affair

The film hits extra hard emotionally for new parents, as the Fantastic Four welcome the latest addition to their family, Franklin Richards (Ada Scott). However, despite much of the film focusing on the newborn, the family dynamic of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is the highlight. Marvel Studios casting director Sarah Halley Finn proves once again she’s the best in the world at what she does, as each of these actors perfectly embodies their respective characters in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The Human Torch (Quinn) and The Thing’s (Moss-Bachrach) chemistry together is goofy and fun, and Pascal does a wonderful job of bringing Reed Richards’ nerdy, neurotic, and altruistic personality to life. However, it’s undeniable that Vanessa Kirby’s performance as Sue Storm steals the show. The four are at their best when they’re on-screen together, but the movie as a whole is firing on all cylinders when Sue is front and center.

Sure, Reed Richards is potentially the most scientifically intelligent character in the Marvel universe, but Sue has the same level of prowess from an emotional intelligence perspective. While previous renditions of the Fantastic Four franchise belittle Sue by reducing her to little more than a sex symbol, it’s refreshing that The Fantastic Four: First Steps treats her like the queen that she is, with a top-tier performance from Vanessa Kirby to put the cherry on top.

Michael Giacchino’s Fantastic Score Is One of the MCU’s Best

From the Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man movies to The Batman on the DC side of the road, Michael Giacchino has composed some of the best scores in comic book movie history. He adds another masterpiece to his catalogue with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as the score beautifully accents the story throughout the film, and gives us one of the most iconic pieces of music since the Avengers movies.

In addition to being sonically pleasing, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is also one of the most visually appealing MCU films to date. The 1960s-style universe has a unique techno-futuristic flair, and the CGI for both Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), looks awesome. In addition to their exceptional designs, both Ineson and Garner give powerful and intimidating performances as the cosmic antagonists of the film.

Unfortunately, since the majority of the visual effects are so stunning, it sticks out like a sore thumb when a set piece, or in this case, a baby, doesn’t meet the same standard. Many scenes with baby Franklin appear heavily CGI-modified, to the extent that it may take viewers out of the immersive experience presented throughout the rest of the film. There’s an “uncanny valley” issue that Hollywood has been navigating for a while (see Twilight: Breaking Dawn for more info), and First Steps only furthers this issue, though it won’t fully derail your enjoyment of the movie by any means.

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Keeps Marvel on Good Footing Before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

With a great cast, stunning visuals, a top-tier score, and a story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has all the makings to be a top 10 MCU film. Marvel’s first family returns to the big screen for by far the best movie ever featuring these characters, and it’s not particularly close. Although each of the cast members performs admirably in their respective roles, it’s Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm who immediately catapults herself to being among the most captivating Marvel Studios characters.

Despite it seeming like an event film due to the long wait for Marvel Studios to reclaim the rights to the Fantastic Four, the movie is actually a contained, family-focused story. Even with world-ending stakes and universal threats looming in future MCU films, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is one of the most relatable and heartwarming superhero outings to date.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters everywhere. Follow the Agents of Fandom podcast and socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.