After years of speculation, Fantastic Four: First Steps finally brings Marvel’s first family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Set in the 1960s, the film introduces Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the iconic team facing Galactus and the Silver Surfer. It’s an ambitious entry, aiming to honor the comics, expand the MCU, and reintroduce some of Marvel’s oldest heroes to a new generation.
To make sense of it all, we turned to two reviewers with very different lenses: Kaden, the optimist who sees the film’s strengths, and Joseph, the skeptic who spots its flaws. Together, they take a good cop/bad cop look at Marvel’s latest gamble.
Visuals and Effects
Kaden (good cop): The movie was visually striking, blending practical and CGI effects for Johnny Storm’s powers and The Thing’s appearance.
Joseph (bad cop): The effects were fantastic, though critics might argue that relying so heavily on visuals can sometimes weaken the story, leaving certain character arcs unfinished.
Story and Structure
Kaden: Unlike earlier films that focused on how the team gained their powers, this one centers on Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
Joseph: Still, some critics might feel bypassing the team’s origin removes the emotional stake for younger audiences who haven’t seen the heroes’ transformations before.
Kaden: The filmmakers even gender-swapped the Silver Surfer. It doesn’t change the character’s essence, and it gives the MCU a fresh feel instead of rehashing old ideas, though some fans dislike the move.
Joseph: Others might argue that altering such an iconic character reduces the comic accuracy that veteran readers enjoy.
Characters and Arcs
Kaden: What this movie did well compared to past Fantastic Four films was draw more directly from the comics. For example, the directors featured Mole Man, a lesser-known villain.
Joseph: Featuring obscure villains, however, risks confusing casual audiences and overwhelming the story.
Kaden: The film also spreads focus across all four heroes. Reed and Sue deal with the birth of their child, Johnny struggles to interpret an entirely new language, and Ben Grimm emerges as a respected community figure—a symbol of toughness.
Joseph: But splitting screen time evenly means none of the arcs feel fully developed, leaving audiences without a deeply satisfying storyline.
Future of the Franchise
Kaden: The movie also sets up the Doomsday plot thread by introducing Doctor Doom.
Joseph: Stacking multiple future plotlines into one film, though, risks making the movie feel like setup for sequels rather than a self-contained story.
Final Thoughts
Kaden: It can still be a thrilling ride for those who can keep up and recognize the characters.
Joseph: But that expectation might alienate casual viewers who lack the background knowledge to appreciate the deeper story.
Ultimately, the film is bolstered by strong performances, particularly Pascal’s quiet intensity as Reed Richards and Kirby’s emotional depth as Sue Storm. Fantastic Four: First Steps succeeds as a bold introduction to Marvel’s newest team, though it may divide audiences between those thrilled by its cosmic scope and those left wanting more grounded storytelling.
