Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ on VOD, a fresh, retro-futuristic entry in the MCU
After years of Hollywood’s rocky attempts at bringing Marvel’s iconic Fantastic Four to life—from a quirky unreleased ’90s flop to a few forgettable efforts in the 2000s—fans finally have a winner. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” now available to stream on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, delivers a fresh, fun take on the superhero team that helped make Marvel comics a powerhouse in the 1960s. Directed by Matt Shakman, who nailed it with his work on the hit series “WandaVision,” this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) entry earned a solid $521 million at the global box office. It’s the best MCU movie in ages, blending retro-futuristic vibes with heartfelt family drama and high-stakes action.
Set in an alternate timeline called Earth-828—separate from the main MCU’s Earth-616—the story unfolds in a stylish, mid-century New York filled with flying cars, sharp fedoras, and a sense of optimism where people actually team up to tackle big threats. No gritty realism here; it’s pure escapist fun. The Fantastic Four live in a sleek skyscraper as beloved heroes, scientists, and leaders championing truth, justice, and progress. The film kicks off by recapping their origin through a clever in-universe TV special: four years earlier, they blasted off into space, got hit by cosmic rays, and returned with awesome powers.
Leading the pack is Reed Richards, played by Pedro Pascal as the brilliant scientist who can stretch his body like rubber—earning him the name Mr. Fantastic. His wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), turns invisible and creates force fields as the Invisible Woman. Her hot-headed brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) ignites into the flame-powered Human Torch, yelling “Flame on!” before soaring through the sky. And Reed’s loyal buddy Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) transforms into the rocky powerhouse The Thing, a gentle giant with super strength. The world adores them, treating the group like America’s First Family.
Life feels pretty ideal for the FF. Reed geeks out in his lab, Sue manages the political side, Johnny lives it up as a bachelor, and Ben cooks up meals while charming neighborhood kids by hoisting cars and flirting with his crush, a kind schoolteacher played by Natasha Lyonne (who steals every scene she’s in). But things get personal: Sue is pregnant after two years of trying, sparking joy and worry at their family dinner. Reed frets over the baby’s “cosmically altered” DNA, tying into his ongoing experiments with teleportation tech. It’s a sweet reminder that even superheroes deal with everyday anxieties.
Just as the family buzz builds, doom arrives from the stars. The enigmatic Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) warns Earth about her master, the colossal planet-eater Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson). This massive cosmic devourer plans to gobble up the entire world like a midnight snack—think a buddy devouring three pizzas in one go. Naturally, the Fantastic Four suit up, with Sue rocking a custom maternity spacesuit, and launch into space to confront the beast. Reed rallies everyone: “The unknown will become known, and we will protect you.” But facing a hungry space giant? That’s easier said than done.
If you’re ranking top MCU films since “Avengers: Endgame,” “First Steps” tops the list. It edges out “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (with its wild visuals and horror twists), “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (three Spideys swinging in), “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (killer action and laughs), and even “Thunderbolts*” (which ends in a feel-good group hug instead of explosions). What sets “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” apart? It looks fantastic, moves at a brisk pace, sticks to a clear vision, and doesn’t demand you binge-watch the entire MCU backlog to follow along.
Standout performances shine through, especially Vanessa Kirby as Sue. She brings real emotional weight to her role, making the Invisible Woman’s force fields and fierce protectiveness feel grounded amid all the superhero antics. Memorable lines add charm too—like Reed chatting with his newborn: “I’m gonna let you tell me who you are. And if you’d like to tell me now, that would be helpful. Especially if you’re an all-powerful space god.” He pauses, sniffs, and adds, “You’re busy peeing.” No steamy scenes here; it’s family-friendly fare.
Forget complaints about loose ties to the broader MCU—this standalone gem introduces the characters, throws them into real conflict with Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and wraps it up satisfyingly. In a franchise bogged down by endless crossovers and homework, “First Steps” keeps it simple: four heroes doing cool stuff for two hours, leaving you grinning. It nods to the Space Race era’s unity and hope, balancing epic interstellar battles with intimate family moments. Watch Reed puzzle over saving the planet while worrying about his kid, or Sue unleash her mama-bear side in the pulse-pounding climax (echoing a zero-gravity birth scene that’s equal parts thrilling and tense).
Director Shakman draws from comic legend Jack Kirby’s bold style, packing in sci-fi wonders like black holes and damaged spaceships without overwhelming the story. Sure, there’s CGI, but it fits the retro-futuristic world seamlessly. It’s lighthearted comic-book joy—entertaining, optimistic, and free of cynicism. The Fantastic Four feel like a real team, from brainstorming villain takedowns to ensuring a loving home for the new baby. Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach nail the fun uncle vibes, making the whole thing warm and relatable.
Bottom line: If you’re craving a breath of fresh air in the MCU, fire up “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” on streaming. It’s a crowd-pleaser that proves Hollywood finally nailed these heroes.
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