The Fantastic Four: First Steps

excellent pacing—held back only by a misfire in its cosmic-level villain. Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t waste a second on tired origin tropes—instead, it kicks off with a sharp, well-edited recap that immediately grounds us in a fresh take. Set in a richly imagined 1960s, the film delivers stylish world-building that feels both nostalgic and cinematic. Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby stand out with emotionally grounded, charismatic performances that carry much of the film’s weight. Despite limited action sequences, what is shown is slick, purposeful, and beautifully executed. The VFX work? Flawless. Every cosmic ripple and power surge looks crisp and immersive without ever feeling overdone. One major letdown, however, is Galactus. As a character with universe-level threat potential, his portrayal here feels disappointingly underwhelming—more of a shadow than a storm. The narrative hints at his power, but never quite lets him live up to his terrifying reputation. At a lean runtime, the movie is fast-paced, never dragging or losing momentum, and it ends with a strong setup for Doomsday—a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more.