A family-first marvel: Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman, sets the story on alternate Earth 828 in a 1960s-inspired aesthetic. Instead of presenting a traditional origin story, the film drops viewers into a world where Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) are already established heroes expecting a child, while Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) round out the team. This introduction helps newer audiences who may not be familiar with the Fantastic Four understand the context, as the film targets the general public, not just fanboys.
In tone, the film balances nostalgia-tinged sci-fi with modern animated superhero storytelling. It leans into strong family bonds under pressure, similar to The Incredibles, injecting warmth and humour despite cosmic stakes. Johnny’s mischief echoes Dash, while Sue and Reed’s parenting anxieties recall Helen and Bob Parr’s dynamics; the film emphasises family from start to finish.
Visually, First Steps blends real-world elements, retro influences, and a touch of Tomorrowland. It embraces a colourful retro universe reminiscent of The Jetsons’ campy charm and combines the emotional depth of The Incredibles with the stylistic flair of Matt LeBlanc’s Lost in Space. Once viewers adapt to this style, it proves effective.
Overall, Fantastic Four: First Steps fuses sci-fi spectacle, family drama, and stylistic creativity to create a new Marvel cinematic franchise. It feels smarter, more emotionally vivid, and tonally consistent. The cast plays a vital role, embodying key elements of the comic book characters while making the roles their own. They deliver performances that embody the icons of the FF, offering fresh perspectives and gravity, and allowing new viewers to connect with these Marvel icons.
This film presents Marvel’s most compelling and first family story. It provides an excellent introduction to their place within the ongoing Avengers Universe saga.
A fantastic… 4/5 POPpoints
See the Fantastic Four on their Press tour In Australia
Apart from being the founder and creator of POPrepublic.tv, Robert is an entertainment reporter, journalist and on air talent. He studied TV Presenting at NIDA and journalism and communications at USC. He has hosted red carpets globally, including the MTV Awards, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, TONY Awards and other global events like Mardi Gras and NYC Pride. He was the host and executive producer of POPrepublic TV (a co-production with CBS Interactive) and has appeared on many TV shows, including the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Emmy award-winning episode of Kathy Griffin’s My Life on the D-List and Bravo’s The A-List New York.
