Review: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is a Fitting, Formidable Introduction for an Endearing Team to the MCU

It’s taken a long time for Marvel’s first superhero team to make its official debut into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Multiple film adaptations have proven unsuccessful, while John Krasinski’s appearance as the super-intelligent Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was a more well-received tease and fulfillment of fan casting. After much fanfare, the Fantastic Four officially arrive in a big way that feels entirely appropriate for the nature and tone of their heroics and should make audiences eager for more movies featuring this phenomenal foursome.

Exposition is one thing this film does exceptionally well, unconcerned with whether anyone watching already knows this story. A TV host addresses the camera directly, reminding everyone that they’re apparently very familiar with the group of astronauts made up of Dr. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), whose journey into space left them forever changed with cosmic powers. The venerated team faces an unprecedented threat when the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives to herald the coming of Galactus (Ralph Ineson), who will soon consume and destroy the planet Earth.

This movie – the thirty-seventh entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – feels different than many of the others in part because of its retrofuturistic setting, featuring flying cars and blinking pregnancy tests but otherwise most similar to the era of the 1960. But its characters are also, unlike so many superheroes with secret identities and clashes with the general public, widely celebrated. Crowds gather when they launch themselves into space to save the planet and cheer them on, and they’re featured in advertising campaigns and as the toy giveaways in the box of breakfast cereal. Everyone knows exactly who they are and what their powers are, which takes away a layer of tension but also puts the burden of protecting the Earth squarely on their very visible and identifiable shoulders.

Telling one of the definitive Fantastic Four stories, which was the subject of the earlier 2007 Sony film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, is the right choice for a film that’s meant to finally bring this team into the official MCU fold, arguably the most exciting addition aside from the X-Men. Casting is key to this film’s success, especially knowing that this team will continue to appear in future films. Pascal is appropriately understated and takes himself just seriously enough, not overselling the fact that Reed is meant to be the smartest man in the world. Kirby brings a great blend of heaviness and levity to Sue, whose powers aren’t as showy but come in very handy at critical junctures. Moss-Bachrach, heard but mostly not seen given the rocky exterior that has replaced his skin, doesn’t overplay the Thing’s Hulk-like nature and instead makes him a more serious character, while Quinn is having a blast as comic relief, making sure that Johnny is cracking jokes even at the tensest moments when he really should be concentrating.

Like so many Marvel projects before this one, the music aids in signaling the triumphant nature of its characters and their abilities. Michael Giacchino, no stranger to this world, delivers an enthralling score that’s as catchy and exciting as any anthem from this franchise. Watching these characters wield their powers is a feast for the eyes, particularly the stretchy nature of Mr. Fantastic’s limbs and the Human Torch’s bright-red glow. Galactus is also a terrifying vision to behold, and it does feel as if this planet-destroyer really could eat his way through all of Earth. His grandeur feels even larger when compared with the old-fashioned look of this version of Earth.

Though it’s meant to be a springboard for the merging of this team with the greater storyline that already exists and is on its way within the MCU, this film is self-contained enough that any audience member, familiar or not with this team’s history, could enjoy it and be perfectly satisfied with it as a self-contained, standalone film. There’s plenty of comedy present, handled deftly by the four stars, and though this world looks different from our own not just because of the superpowers its protagonists possess, it’s extremely inviting. That they’ll be back for more is merely a wonderful bonus – this film is a success all on its own.

Movie Rating: 8/10