The Marvel Cinematic Universe begins a new chapter this week with a reboot of one of the company’s most beloved properties, The Fantastic Four.
Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Fantastic Four: First Steps was directed by Matt Shakman (Wandavision) and comes from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer.
First Steps marks the fourth attempt to translate the original comic book characters of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing to the silver screen. This time, the action will take place in an alternate history/parallel universe set in the ’60s.
Deadline’s Damon Wise described the film as a “satisfying and stylish Marvel adventure.”
“It also benefits from a smart script and — I can’t believe I’m writing this — really quite moving performances from its four charismatic leads, being arguably the best of Pedro Pascal’s releases this year,” Wise’s review read.
The Guardian’s review says the film has given the MCU back some of its big-screen charm following a series of duds.
“I have expressed my dissatisfaction recently with superhero films which have to finish with AI cities collapsing – and, yes, this is what happens here, but at least this finale emerges from the established story premise, and works well with the tone of uncomplicated fun,” the paper wrote.
Robbie Collin in The Telegraph described the reboot as “Marvel’s best film in a decade.”
Collin also heaped praise on the film’s cast, who he says complement each other well.
“The casting allows all four to play to their strengths – and as the team’s steadfast matriarch, Kirby is especially good value – but also because the film keeps putting them into the sort of human spaces where human behaviour naturally occurs,” Collin wrote.
Forbes also described the reboot as a “welcome return towards form” for Marvel, adding that the film “kicks off Phase Six of the MCU with style, substance, and promise, rather than relying solely on awe and scale.”
The outlet also praised the film’s visual style, which it described as “incredible.”
“The 1960s aesthetic is stunning. Production designer Kasra Farahani, who previously worked on Marvel Studios’ Loki, creates a sumptuous canvas that feels both classic and contemporary at the same time. It’s genuinely beautiful and IMAX highlights that off in the best possible way,” Forbes said.
Genre outlet IGN described the film as “a little nuts” and praised its ambition, but said the film is missing some important “capital-M Moments that superhero movies need.”
“I mean this on an emotional level: Nothing in First Steps had me on the verge of tears, happy or sad; nothing had me nervous for the survival of the folks on screen,” the outlet said. “But I also mean this on a technical level. The most heroic-looking shots are in the montages, not in the big climactic events of the film.”
Gizmodo also praised the film, but said it lacked some superhero pizzazz.
“There are more than a few standout moments thanks to the cast, visuals, and music. But by ultimately playing it safe, we’re left with something nice and sweet but a little underwhelming,” the outlet said.
In a four-star review for the Financial Times, Jonathan Romney offers a balanced conclusion: “First Steps doesn’t reinvent the superhero genre, but it has its own freshness — it’s uncluttered, good-natured and altogether good value — even if it might be the Marvel film ultimately remembered for its nice bathrooms and kitchen fittings.”
The film hits theaters on July 24.
