(REVIEW) Retro & Deeply Personal — The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is a Superhero Movie That Puts Family First

Directed by Matt Shakman, the film is set in Earth-828, a retro-futuristic alternate universe that looks like it was pulled straight from a vintage sci-fi magazine. Think flying cars, robot assistants, and neon-lit skylines. However, beneath all the visual flair, the story is grounded in something much more human: family, legacy, and the choices we make to protect what matters most.

A family at the core of the story

The Fantastic Four are introduced not just as superheroes, but as a real family. Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is brilliant but emotionally distant, while Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm brings warmth, strength, and togetherness to the team. Meanwhile, Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm is impulsive and insecure, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm is tough but deeply compassionate. Overall, the chemistry between the characters feels authentic and natural.

Pedro Pascal absolutely nails Reed Richards. He plays him as a man constantly calculating outcomes, always trying to stay two steps ahead of disaster. His performance is full of quiet conflict, especially when logic fails him and he’s forced to confront what love and responsibility really mean. Vanessa Kirby is the soul of the film. Her Sue Storm is strong, grounded, and emotionally layered. She’s not just the glue holding the team together, she’s the one who gives the story its heart.

On the other hand, Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm adds a much-needed spark to the group. He’s impulsive, cocky, and constantly trying to prove himself, but with a subtle hint of vulnerability underneath all of that confidence, while Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm serves as the emotional anchor bringing a grounded, human touch to his character.

Together, the four feel like a real family, whether they’re arguing, joking, or quietly supporting each other. And that’s what makes the film resonate. It’s not just about flashy powers or saving the world, it’s about holding onto the people who matter when everything else is falling apart.

Earth-828 is a visual feast and is possibly the most visually distinctive settings Marvel has ever put on screen. The production design is rich with detail, from retro billboards and sleek sci-fi interiors. It’s like stepping into a comic book drawn in the 1960s but with a modern twist.

The production design is packed with clever details from billboards advertising fictional films and products that feel pulled from another timeline, to even the tech like Reed’s lab equipment or the Storms’ home, blends analog charm with futuristic function.

What’s impressive is how the setting supports the story rather than distracting from it. The retro-futuristic backdrop adds a layer of whimsy to a film that’s ultimately about family and emotional stakes. It’s a world where the weird feels normal, and that helps ground the more cosmic elements like Galactus and Silver Surfer without making them feel out of place.

The setting isn’t just cool to look at, it’s part of the storytelling, and it gives First Steps a tone that’s both fresh and familiar.

Cosmic threats & high stakes

A high-energy montage kicks things off, showing the Fantastic Four in action against classic villains who’ve never made it to the big screen: Giganto, Red Ghost, Mole Man. The opening montage celebrates the Fantastic Four not as outcasts or reluctant heroes, but as beloved icons in their prime, respected, admired, and fully integrated into their world.

The emotional core of the story is Sue’s pregnancy, revealed early on and used to drive the plot. When Silver Surfer arrives as the Herald of Galactus, the team learns that Earth is in danger, but Galactus offers a horrifying deal: spare the planet in exchange for Sue and Reed’s unborn child.

This dilemma adds real emotional weight to the story, turning what could’ve been a standard superhero showdown into something much deeper and more personal. It forces the characters to confront what they’re willing to sacrifice, not just for the world, but for each other.

Galactus and Silver Surfer are visually impressive, with designs that feel appropriately otherworldly and imposing. Their arrival raises the stakes, but they’re not the emotional centre of the film. Instead, they act as catalysts for the real drama, which plays out within the team. The final battle is intense and visually striking, though it wraps up a bit too cleanly.

Our verdict

Fantastic Four: First Steps is a stylish, smart, and emotional reboot that does justice to Marvel’s First Family. It’s not just about saving the world, it’s about saving what matters most. With its retro-futuristic flair, strong performances, and heartfelt storytelling, it stands out as one of the more thoughtful entries in the superhero genre.

Compared to the 2005 Fantastic Four, which leaned heavily on flashy powers, surface-level banter, and a more fun and playful tone, First Steps feels like an evolution. That earlier version had its charm, but it rarely dug beneath the surface of its characters. Emotional stakes were minimal, and the family dynamic often felt more like a gimmick than a core theme. Here, the relationships are the foundation of the story.

And just when you think the film has wrapped everything up, the end-credit scene throws a curveball. This tease doesn’t just set up Avengers: Doomsday, it suggests that Marvel is finally weaving the Fantastic Four into the larger narrative in a meaningful way. With the Thunderbolts now rebranded as the New Avengers and Sam Wilson assembling his own team, the stage is set for some major action. And with the Fantastic Four now in the mix, things are about to get a lot more interesting.

If First Steps is any indication, Marvel’s next phase isn’t just about going bigger, it’s about going deeper. And we can’t wait to see where it goes next.