⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Director Matt Shakman is the perfect choice to helm Marvel’s Fantastic 4: First Steps, given his television background (WandaVision, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and select episodes of Game of Thrones) as he proves once again that he is more than capable to balance humor, and high-stakes action in this bold reimagining of Marvel’s first family.

A Stellar Cast with Real Chemistry

Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, Mandalorian) brings just the right mix of intelligence and warmth to Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic). He’s brilliant, sure, but also a little overwhelmed. anessa Kirby (The Crown, Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning) is a standout as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), grounding the group with both emotional depth and quiet power. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear, Girls) gives Ben Grimm (The Thing) real soul beneath the stone, and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, A Quite Place Day One) is clearly having a blast as Johnny Storm (Human Torch) with equal parts chaos and charm.

What makes the film work so well is how believable they are as a unit. Their chemistry doesn’t feel manufactured; it’s lived-in. They argue, tease, protect each other... and it resonates to us. We believe them as a found family trying to navigate both each other and an apocalyptic crisis.

We Welcome the Female Silver Surfer

When Julia Garner (Inventing Anna, Ozark) was first announced as the Silver Surfer, the reaction was mixed as many fans were surprised, even hesitant. 

But this reboot introduces us not to the familiar Norrin Radd, but to Shalla-Bal, a different incarnation of the Silver Surfer. And Garner rises to the challenge. Her look is striking, and any doubts quickly fade once she takes to the screen. Her space-bound action scenes, soaring on her cosmic surfboard, are breathtaking, and she brings a cool, commanding presence that fits perfectly into the film’s cosmic scale.

Emotional Range That Resonates

Much like in WandaVision, Shakman leans into the emotional range of his cast, and it pays off. It’s that ability to switch from quiet vulnerability to full-on mama bear intensity (looking at you, Vanessa Kirby) that makes these characters so compelling, and keeps you fully invested in their story.

Visually Stunning

We are transported to a retro-futuristic version of Earth 828 (the MCU happened in Earth 616), with the 1960s vibes without the flat screen monitors combined with Jetson-like flying vehicles. Everything looks sleek, nostalgic and visually striking. Familiar landmarks like the Pan-Am Building (now MetLife in our world) anchor us in a skewed reality, while little details like the presence of Lucky Charms, add playful texture to this alternate universe.

A Cosmic Battle with Real-World Grounding

It’s always a challenge to portray a battle against a cosmic-level threat in a way that still feels grounded and believable. But this reboot rises to the occasion, showing us Galactus, Devourer of Worlds, in his full, awe-inspiring form without losing the emotional stakes on the ground (in the 2007 film, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, we saw him as a giant cloud).