Fantastic 4: The First Steps In The Right Direction!
The visual style of The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks a departure from its earlier versions. If you grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, you’ll likely recognize the setting and vibe of the film. Watching just the first 30 minutes feels like flipping through the pages of a comic book brought to life. The film’s grainy, warm, and saturated look gives it a retro feel that fits its 1960s setting. The feature definitely feels like a standalone sci-fi period epic.
Befittingly, it’s part of the 828 Universe of the DCU, as envisioned by James Gunn. Forget about historical accuracy with the film’s use of anachronistic technologies to move the story forward. Think The Jetsons caught in the 60s or Men In Black 3. Credit goes to Jess Hall for the cinematography, returning from his work on TV’s WandaVision. Jess Hall clearly drew on his experience with the ”50s-’60s-inspired WandaVision series on this one.
The kids from the ’90s, along with the Gen Zs and Gen Alphas, will definitely need to suspend their disbelief a bit longer before the movie’s plot fully sinks in. After all, the film is meant to depict a story set in a 60s comic book universe, from the period-appropriate costumes to the 60s-inspired Fantasticar. Additionally, the 2005 Fantastic Four vehicle looks sleeker and more futuristic than the First Steps’ version of the futuristic car, even though the latter appears to be more technologically advanced than it actually is.
Story-wise, First Steps seems to borrow some elements from the 2007 movie, Rise of the Silver Surfer, except for Sue Storm and Mr. Fantastic having a child, Franklin Richards (played by Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal, respectively), a female Silver Surfer with a backstory (Julia Garner), and Galactus (Ralph Ineson) in live action. This film definitely sets up Avengers: Doomsday, as the mid-credit scene suggests, so it’s definitely worth watching!
The Cast:
Pedro Pascal brings a soft-spoken intensity to Reed Richards. This Reed isn’t arrogant or manic—he’s emotionally bottled, socially awkward, and haunted by leadership mistakes. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm may be the most nuanced take yet. She’s neither a damsel nor a nag—instead, Kirby’s Sue is quietly fierce, brilliant, and morally grounded. Taking over Michael Chiklis’s Ben Grimm is Ebon Moss-Bachrach. You may remember Ebon playing Keanu Reeves’ younger brother in the time-travel flick The Lake House. He plays a much more grounded TheThing with a soulful, working-class presence reminiscent of 70s antiheroes.
And finally, playing Johnny Storm and taking over Chris Evans’ OG is Joseph Quinn. His portrayal brings a mature edge to the hothead archetype—not just comic relief, but deeply layered with a sense of inferiority and recklessness that reflects his time.
Compared to the other iterations, Fantastic Four: First Steps offers richer characterization, period flavor, and stays faithful to the comic. First Steps finally gives The Fantastic Four the prestige treatment it deserves.