With the same unstoppable force as Galactus devouring worlds at will, that’s how powerful Marvel’s cinematic universe once felt. But after the Avengers saga ended, Marvel began to slow down—offering mostly bland, repetitive stories that lacked soul. Fantastic Four: First Steps felt like a risky bet. It was the first time these characters would be produced under the umbrella of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Previous attempts had never quite managed to establish a successful franchise, and bringing them back again sounded like a doomed idea.

Yet Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm turned out to be a winning hand. Fantastic Four: First Steps brings back to the MCU that blend of innocence, charm, and adventurous spirit that superhero movies are in such desperate need of today. The film fully embraces fantasy and draws strength from it to build a story that’s simple but effective. It doesn’t aim to dig deeply into each character’s psyche but gives them just enough emotional and narrative weight to make them relevant to the mission at hand.

Marvel Back to Basics

Director Matt Shakman approaches the film as if it were a long-lost animated episode from the 1960s or as if the comic book pages had come to life. Rather than trying to reinvent the characters, he holds tight to their essence and brings them faithfully to the screen. This is only Shakman’s second feature film, though he’s had a prolific television career and directed what is arguably Marvel’s best series to date: WandaVision. The production design, art direction, and Michael Giacchino’s brilliant score (with a main theme that’s spot-on) make the director’s job easier and immerse us in a retro-futuristic world where our heroes must save humanity from the fearsome Galactus.

The structure of the script gives more narrative weight to Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) and Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby). The central conflict revolves around them, allowing both Pascal and Kirby to shine in their performances. Pascal taps into the obsessive scientist archetype, while Kirby becomes the emotional core of the group. But as in any good superhero team movie, each member gets their moment. Joseph Quinn, as the Human Torch, injects youthful energy and a playful spirit that works perfectly for the film’s comedic tone. Meanwhile, The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) brings the muscle—but beneath that rocky exterior, there are hints of inner turmoil and emotional depth.

Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t try to do too much. Instead, it focuses on action and the dynamics of a superpowered family facing problems as ordinary and relatable as anyone else’s. The cast’s chemistry, the film’s fast-paced and playful tone, and its fantastical flair make this a solid, effective entry that delivers exactly what a superhero movie should: pure entertainment.