The fourth time it worked. Review of the movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The Fantastic Four is one of the most important superhero teams in Marvel comics, but it hasn't had much luck with big-screen adaptations for a long time. The 1994 version didn't reach audiences at all, and the other three feature films can hardly be called outstanding in any way. However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not just another attempt to create a film about the most famous comic book family, but also the first full-fledged story about it within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Add to this the beginning of a new phase of the MCU - and you get a relatively safe place for experiments and a project that will definitely captivate the attention of millions of fans. But Marvel and Disney have it all: The Fantastic Four: First Steps perfectly understands the synergy between the characters and their essence, even if it is exactly how superheroics and entertainment cinema in general stumbles in some places.

The Fantastic Four on Earth-828 have been protecting the peace of people for more than a year - and everyone is only happy about it. However, the main test for Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is still ahead. And it is not connected with villains, but with Sue's pregnancy. But they can't wait for the addition to the family: Earth becomes another planet that Galactus plans to devour, as his messenger Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) warns. Never before have the stakes been so high for the Fantastic Four, and even Richards' brilliant mind does not guarantee victory this time.

The triumph of the film is its cast and the impeccable chemistry between the characters. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrak don’t just play a team – they seem to have become a real family in person. Their dialogue, bickering, jokes and moments of support feel so natural that you instantly believe in their long-standing relationship. Each actor perfectly embodies the essence of their comic book character: Reed is a genius burdened by the weight of his knowledge; Sue is the emotional heart of the team; Johnny is a cocky but kind jokester; Ben is a tragic figure with a heart of gold under a skin of stone. This synergy is the foundation on which the entire film rests.

The genre approach is also interesting. "First Steps" is not a typical comic book. It is an unconventional combination of a family drama about the experience of a first pregnancy, a disaster film about a global threat, and, in fact, a superhero film. The film works most effectively precisely in the moments where these genres intersect. For example, the scene where Reed tries to use his mental abilities to scan the fetus in Sue's belly is simultaneously touching, funny, and a little scary.

However, around the middle, the film starts to falter. Focusing on family problems and a global threat, it forgets about the superhero part for a while, which slows down the pace of the narrative. However, closer to the finale, it becomes lively again.

Also, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is one of the few Marvel films that is enjoyable to watch not only because of the high level of technical execution, but also because of the chosen style. Retrofuturism fits perfectly with the story told by the authors, and even as an independent element it attracts attention. While watching, I constantly caught myself noting interesting posters, sign designs, architectural nuances and other details that make the world worth paying attention to.

Another strong point of the film is the demonstration of superpowers. Instead of showing them only in battles or for jokes, director Matt Shekman finds applications for them in everyday life. We see Reed stretch his hand across the room to write something on a board, and Johnny conjure up flames to light up a dark room. This makes the characters more alive and down to earth, and their abilities become an integral part of their personality, rather than just a tool for fighting.

The antagonists in the film leave mixed impressions. The Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, is an undeniable success. Her image combines alien alienation, tragedy and incredible power. She is not just a villain, but a complex figure whose motives can be understood. But Galactus, despite his comic-book design and formidable appearance, does not fully meet expectations. The tension he creates at the beginning gradually dissipates, and the final confrontation with him seems less epic than it could be.

Of particular note is the way Fantastic Four: First Steps portrays space. For the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is shown not as a colorful space for adventure, but as a cold, hostile, and truly terrifying place. This inhumanity of space creates a powerful contrast to the warm, family atmosphere that reigns within the team, and emphasizes how fragile their little world is.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is the freshness that the Marvel Cinematic Universe so needed. The film can even be called a successful "soft reboot", which restores faith in the future of the franchise. The film proves that stories about superheroes can be not only about saving the world, but also about personal experiences, family values, and humanity.

Marvel's first family finally got a decent film adaptation, and Reed Richards has proven himself as a character who could well take on the role of leader of the Avengers in the future. The main thing is that the next films don't spoil this great start.

PS The post-credits scene had the most screams and cheers since the MCU's peak moments. Get ready for something truly incredible - and an unexpected return of old friends.