THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Not that fantastic

For the fourth time in history, we’ve had the chance to see a Fantastic Four movie on the big screen. With a third set of actors portraying the titular team. And for the first time, it’s part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unfortunately, it’s once again not a flawless production—though still the best film adaptation of the comic created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Interestingly, although First Steps is officially part of the MCU, the story doesn’t take place in the same world as, say, the Avengers’ adventures. Instead, it happens in another branch of the Marvel multiverse—a retro-futuristic Earth where the greatest heroes are the titular group of former astronauts who gain superhuman powers.

And it’s precisely those first dozen or so minutes of Marvel’s latest film—in which we’re introduced to an alternate 1960s America and shown a television-style recap of the team’s origin—that are the strongest parts of the movie. This is where director Matt Shakman gets to show off the film’s unique style (visually reminiscent at times of the Loki series and his own WandaVision), while also diving deep into a purely comic-book atmosphere. There are plenty of direct nods to the group’s comic adventures, along with a strong dose of Silver Age superhero charm.

Unfortunately, the film’s main issue is its script. Events unfold extremely fast. New plot threads are introduced just as quickly as they’re resolved. The story lacks fluidity, and the whole thing feels disjointed and segmented. What’s missing is emotion and a sense of real stakes—even though the fate of the entire planet is supposedly on the line. Maybe it’s because the writers rely on clichéd tropes that are supposed to evoke emotion but fall flat. Maybe it’s because the film is overly talkative and lacks truly engaging, full-scale action scenes. Maybe it’s because the protagonists feel one-dimensional, and the villains show up for barely a moment (years of waiting for a cinematic Galactus were not worth it).

The chemistry between the characters relies solely on the actors’ charisma, though none of the cast steps beyond safe autopilot territory. I constantly felt like I was watching Pedro Pascal with a “4” on his chest, not Reed Richards. The most interesting thread might be the parenting dynamic between Reed and Sue (Vanessa Kirby). On the other hand, the biggest laziness comes in the writing of Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—the only thing I can say about him is that he likes to cook. After two hours, the director certainly succeeds in introducing new characters into the Marvel film universe (though connecting them to the rest of the MCU will now fall on the creators of Avengers: Doomsday) and presenting viewers with a stylish alternative reality. Unfortunately, he fails to create a film one would want to revisit—a movie that says something new in the superhero genre or refreshes the formula that began 17 years ago (!) with Jon Favreau’s Iron Man.

And sure, compared to the endearingly childish versions with Jessica Alba and company, or Josh Trank’s painfully pretentious interpretation, this film comes off fairly well—as a decent, well-cast, competently executed adventure. But I was definitely hoping for more. The opening of Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is more of a dud than a bang. Let’s hope the closing chapter—two Avengers films, which will also feature the Fantastic Four—will be far more satisfying. The mid-credits scene of First Steps sparks the imagination and builds anticipation f or the Russo brothers’ upcoming spectacle…