Fantastic Four Finally Lives Up to Its Name

Why It Actually Works

Retro, Colorful, and Visually Bold

This reboot leans fully into a 1960s retro‑futuristic aesthetic—think hovercars, bold hues, and mid‑century cinematography. Critics say it’s “hallucinatory” production design that breathes new life into the franchise. It even pays tribute to visionary artist Jack Kirby—Earth‑828, echoes of Kirby’s birthday, and direct visual callbacks—finally giving him his due in the MCU.

A Family‑Driven Story, Not Just Origin Tropes

Unlike past versions, this film skips the typical origin story setup. We join the Fantastic Four as established heroes with a baby on the way. That allows the movie to dive right into who they are—emotionally, relationally, and powerfully. It becomes a “tale about family” that pulls from strong character beats rather than backstory overload.

Strong Cast Chemistry Anchoring It All

Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss‑Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn are widely praised for inhabiting their roles with grounded warmth. Critics highlight their believable family dynamic, especially Vanessa Kirby’s emotional depth as Sue Storm and Moss‑Bachrach’s heartfelt portrayal of Ben Grimm.

Emotional Depth & Narrative Stakes

The movie tackles serious stakes—cosmic villain Galactus threatening Earth, the arrival of Silver Surfer, and a pregnant Sue Storm whose child’s fate weighs heavily on the story. Reviews describe it as a heartfelt mix of action and emotion grounded in character relationships rather than spectacle alone.

Sounds Good—Where’s the Catch?

Uneven Pacing and Filler Sequences

Critics note that the middle act drags at times; it occasionally feels unfocused and padded, especially chasing teasers for future installments. Some reviews call that section “a slog” or “wandering”.

Galactus and Action Fell Short for Some

While visually impressive, Galactus doesn’t always feel truly threatening, and actual action set pieces are sparse. Several viewers—including on Reddit—expressed disappointment, citing a lack of thrilling intensity and a villain who lacked impact RedditReddit.

Familiar Tropes and Formulaic Moments

Some critics, perhaps incredulous at the enthusiasm, suggest the film doesn’t stray far from familiar Marvel territory. One reviewer described it blandly as “competent at best,” while another lamented it feels like safe consumer fare aimed at mainstream comfort rather than bold storytelling.

Final Verdict: Is It Actually Fantastic?

Yes—First Steps delivers the best Fantastic Four film we’ve ever seen. Rotten Tomatoes shows nearly 89% positive reviews, and the consensus is that it “does Marvel’s First Family justice”. Empire goes further, calling it “the best Marvel movie in years,” while Vulture calls it “just good enough”—a fair descriptor for its uneven parts, but still praising its charm and worldbuilding Vulture.

Most importantly, this reboot feels sincere—a grounded superhero story that balances cosmic threat with domestic heart, offers stylish visuals, and gives the Fantastic Four a reboot rooted in their comic legacy rather than past missteps. It’s not flawless, but it’s honest, it’s fun, and Marvel finally seems to be rediscovering what made their comics great in the first place.

If someone says it “actually was that fantastic,” they’re not just giving compliments—they might just be right.