FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is unlike any previous MCU installment—and a world apart from its earlier cinematic adaptations. Set in a stunning 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic alternate universe, the film feels like a living Jetsons dream, complete with flying cars and a charming robotic assistant, H.E.R.B.I.E. The production design is absolutely jaw-dropping and deserves serious awards recognition.
Rather than relying on explosive action sequences, the film puts its characters front and center. The Fantastic Four are faced with a weighty dilemma: protect Earth or protect their own family. The emotional core is strong, and deeper themes about sacrifice and responsibility are explored with surprising nuance.
The cast is phenomenal across the board. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach create a warm, believable family dynamic. So when their loved ones—and the world—are in danger, the stakes feel intensely personal and real.
Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is a menacing, cosmic presence, and his thunderous voice perfectly matches the scale of the threat. Julia Garner brings an unexpected grace to the Silver Surfer, who starts off enigmatic and elegant but becomes genuinely formidable in a gripping mid-film space chase. Her absence in the final act is definitely felt.
Michael Giacchino’s main theme is a standout—easily one of the best scores in the MCU to date. It complements the film’s bold, stylized aesthetic with grandeur and heart.
If there’s one drawback, it’s that a couple of CGI moments fall short and feel visually awkward. But they’re brief, and hardly enough to take away from the film’s overall impact.
Verdict: FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is a stylish, soulful, and refreshingly different superhero film—one that proves the MCU still has new ground to break.
