Marvel’s First Family Returns with a Retro-Futurist Bang—And It’s the Comeback the MCU Needs
After years of false starts and creative dead ends, Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the long-awaited debut of Marvel’s First Family in the official MCU—and it’s safe to say they’ve finally nailed it. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film is a confident relaunch that leans into nostalgia without ever feeling dated. Earth‑828’s retro‑futuristic setting echoes the optimism of mid‑century sci‑fi, while embedding the team firmly in Marvel’s modern multiverse.
While recent MCU entries have struggled to capture the cultural spark of earlier phases, First Steps is a breath of fresh cosmic air. It’s bold without being overwhelming, sincere without being self-important, and retro without being kitsch. Early trailers sparked curiosity with their 1960s aesthetic and ensemble cast. Still, it’s the final product—equal parts heartfelt, heroic, and visually mesmerizing. That signals a genuine course correction for the MCU, and a great start to Phase 6.
Cosmic Consequences Begin at Home
Set in the early 1960s, Fantastic Four: First Steps reimagines the origin of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm as a daring interdimensional voyage gone sideways. What begins as a hopeful mission turns into cosmic catastrophe, thrusting the crew into a reality-warping incident that changes their biology and their destiny—forever.
Backed by government funding but driven by Reed’s vision of peaceful exploration, the story smartly avoids heavy exposition and instead anchors itself in themes of family and second chances. Rather than retell how the team got their powers, the story starts with them already past their origin—four years into life as heroes. Reed and Sue reveal they’re expecting a son, Franklin (Ada Scott).
Not long after, Galactus appears with an ultimatum: surrender the child to save Earth. The stakes shift from global to deeply personal when Franklin’s powers emerge in the climax, reshaping their future—and perhaps the entire MCU.
Each member of the team is tested not only by their powers but also by how they choose to carry the weight of responsibility, grief, and legacy.
Cast and Performances
The ensemble is a home run. Three actors arguably outshine the fourth, but the chemistry is authentic, and everyone stays true to character.
Sue Storm is, without a doubt, the standout. Vanessa Kirby nails it as Sue Storm—graceful, fierce, and emotionally compelling. A calm force of emotional gravity, she balances power and presence with ease, asserting herself as the soul of the team and the MVP of the film. Her scenes with Reed are rich with tension and tenderness, and her leadership arc gives the movie its emotional spine.
Reed Richards is brilliantly portrayed as more than a brain. He’s vulnerable, obsessive, and at times lost, making his journey feel real, not robotic. Pedro Pascal’s Reed is cerebral and vulnerable, balancing genius ambition with parental anxiety. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny brings wit and unexpected heart: more than just a firestarter that he loves to be, he’s a linguist, a risk-taker, and the comic relief with purpose.
And while Ben Grimm’s quiet moments land heavy. Ebon Moss‑Bachrach’s Ben is warm and loyal, though viewers note he could have received more screen time. His dynamic with H.E.R.B.I.E. and Reed hints at deeper layers that will hopefully be explored in future entries.
Special shoutout to Ralph Ineson as Galactus. Though underused, his voice and presence carry true menace. And Shalla-Bal? Utterly captivating. Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer arc hits emotionally, but is underutilized
Cinematography, Action & Score
First Steps is one of the most distinct entries in the MCU yet. Think Interstellar meets The Right Stuff with a sprinkle of Arrival. Its retro-futuristic aesthetic is rooted in 1960s NASA culture and beautifully packaged in Silver Age comic book design. The aesthetic isn’t surface-level; it informs every set, costume, and cinematic frame.
Visually, the film is an unapologetically retro, 1960s-inflected universe with practical sets, vintage-inspired costuming, and art direction calling back to Jack Kirby’s Silver Age designs. The action sequences are lean and purposeful, built on visual storytelling rather than spectacle.
And the score? Sweeping, hopeful, melancholic. It mirrors the film’s dual identity: old-school in spirit, new-world in vision. Composer Michael Giacchino delivers a sweeping, hopeful score that anchors the emotional stakes
Final Verdict
First Steps may not reshape the MCU—but it feels like what the franchise needed. Smart, emotional, and grounded in its heroes rather than narrative spectacle, it’s an origin tale told with warmth and clever restraint.
The movie holds its own through strong performances and design, even if not all characters get full arcs. The pacing feels brisk and occasionally uneven—but never derails the emotional momentum. Critics largely agree on its solid—but occasionally B‑tier—status within Marvel’s offerings
After No Way Home, this is the first MCU film that made fans cheer in unison, shout iconic phrases mid-film, and walk away grinning. It doesn’t shy away from emotion, but it also doesn’t drown in it. It’s a superhero movie that remembers to have fun.
And from the mid-credit reveal (hello, Russo brothers) to the gentle nods at Franklin Richards’ larger purpose in the MCU, it leaves the door wide open for the saga to evolve.
Is it flawless? No. The runtime could’ve used an extra 15 minutes to flesh out Ben Grimm’s arc. A couple of Galactus beats feel rushed. But those are nitpicks in a movie that otherwise lands almost every beat with confidence.
This is the comeback Marvel needed.
PS: Sue Storm is the GOAT.
Quick Facts
- This is the first MCU film to mention Franklin Richards by name—and show his powers in action.
- Despite heavy multiverse themes, this film keeps crossover content to a minimum—no Avengers, no SHIELD, just Fantastic Four.
- The mid-credit scene hints at major MCU possibilities and teases the future enough without giving too much away
- The film’s visual tone pays tribute to Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s original 1960s artwork.
- Ralph Ineson recorded all his Galactus voice work on a custom-built analog sound rig.
- Filming took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, where 1960s New York sets—like Yancy Street, Baxter Building interiors, and Times Square—were built across eight sound stages on two backlots
- Additional location work took place in Dorset, England (notably at Durdle Door), and scenes were also shot at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in Oviedo, Spain, using it as a stand-in for a United Nations setting
Why Should You Watch It?
- Once again, because Sue Storm is the GOAT.
- It’s a true origin story that trusts the characters more than the CGI.
- Reed isn’t just “the smart one.” He’s layered.
- The team dynamic feels like family—complete with awkward dinners and raw arguments.
- Shalla-Bal is a scene-stealer, and the Galactus reveal is a cosmic sight to behold.
Things to Know Before Watching
PROS
- Grounded emotional arcs
- Breathtaking retro-futuristic visuals
- Strong cast chemistry
- One of the best scores in recent MCU
- A proper balance between fun and weight
- Doesn’t require MCU homework to enjoy
CONS
- Ben Grimm is underutilized
- Runtime feels too tight—should’ve been 2h30m
- Some scenes with Galactus feel rushed
- MCU purists may want more crossover content
- Less about multiverse chaos, more about human drama (which some won’t expect)
