Fantastic Four: First Steps is officially on big screens around the world and has earned some positive reactions from critics and fans. After the success of Superman just two weeks earlier, many have questioned whether Marvel’s entry into the summer blockbuster landscape could hold its own. So, will this fourth attempt at starting a Fantastic Four franchise land on its feet, or will its first steps be a stumble?

The Plot

The first thing to know going in is that Fantastic Four First Steps takes place in an alternate universe, so there are no references to any events or heroes that MCU fans are familiar with. This film begins with the titular team existing as already established heroes, but we do get a quick montage of how they got their powers and all the world-saving they have been doing since. The lack of superpowered competition seems to have been a real benefit because the Fantastic Four are seen as celebrities, world leaders, and cultural icons.

With that taken care of, the film gets to work establishing these characters and setting up the epic battles to come. A setup that begins with a mysterious metallic emissary carrying a foreboding warning. Now the Fantastic Four, this Earth’s best and only heroes, must embark on an epic space adventure to discover the true nature of the Earth’s impending doom.

Fantastic Heroes

Every actor in Fantastic Four First Steps is firing on all cylinders, bringing these unique characters to life. We see Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) as an emotionally burdened and socially awkward genius, which helps to separate him from Tony Stark. Susan Storm (Vanessa Kirby) embodies all the confidence and charisma that Richard lacks and proves to be a powerful emotional anchor for the entire film. Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) is overconfident, impulsive, and a bit juvenile but still proves to be an intelligent and capable addition to the Fantastic Four team. Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is shown to be a gentle giant, with a soft spot for kids, struggling with his identity after his transformation.

It’s also worth noting that this is the first time we see hints that Ben Grimm is canonically Jewish in a big-screen interpretation.

Fantastic Villains

The villains in Fantastic Four: First Steps are just as dynamic as the heroes. Julia Garner brings a cold sadness to her version of the Silver Surfer, a tragic figure forced to choose between life and death from billions across the universe. Ralph Ineson brings rage, desperation, and even arrogance to his portrayal of the eternally cursed Galactus.

The Problems

As beautiful as Fantastic Four First Steps is, there were a few moments where I noticed problems with the digital VFX, and it did break my concentration a bit. The whole film looks and feels like a comic book from the 60s, but that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Natasha Leone has proven herself as a capable actress, and while it was nice to see a less frazzled side of her, I really wish she had played a bigger part in the story. Finally, am I the only one who feels like Pedro Pascal, while totally up to the task of acting like Mr. Fantastic, is just a bit too conventionally attractive for this role?

Who Should Watch This?

Like James Gunn’s Superman, Fantastic Four First Steps is definitely made with children in mind, showing off all the bright colors and morally righteous heroes that have drawn kids to Marvel comic books for decades. For adults, it has the magic of an early Marvel film when anything seemed possible and we were free from the weight of MCU history. It asks you to believe in a retro-futuristic utopia and accept that family can extend to the whole world. If you can do that, you’ll get to take a ride through deep space that feels fresh and new, and enjoy one of the most dynamic final battles in the MCU to date.