A fantastic take on the Fantastic Four

? Our favorite Marvel family is back on the big screen. From an unreleased 1994 original to a classic ‘00s duology — and a not-so-well-received 2015 reiteration — it’s been a bumpy road for Marvel’s first family, but Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps sets the franchise back on the right path — impressively so.

New film, new look, new plot. Staying true to its comic origins and set in a retro-futuristic 1960s, First Steps presents a brand new on-screen version of the classic Marvel story. While previous adaptations would all showcase the incident that gave the Fantastic Four their powers, First Steps dives right in years after the space experiment-gone-wrong. The family is well-established, well-loved, and universally acknowledged as the Earth’s protectors. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are already suited up and ready for action — and they didn’t have to wait long.

So, what exactly is the Silver Surfer heralding? On a seemingly inconsequential evening, the Manhattan sky lights up, revealing a mysterious silver-hued figurine in the sky. Our family of heroes quickly departs to meet the outsider, who nonchalantly lets them know that their planet is marked for death by Galactus, and there’s absolutely nothing they can do about it. The team — including a pregnant Sue — quickly begins devising a plan to prove the Silver Surfer wrong.

A superbun in the oven: The team — with the entire world’s support — head to outer space to track down the herald and Galactus. Alas, it doesn’t go according to plan. Sue ends up in stress-induced labor in space while chased by Galactus and the Silver Surfer, after the former demanded the unborn child in return for sparing the planet.

A catch-22: Upon their return to Earth, Reed reveals to scores of reporters that they were not able to defeat Galactus, noting that he asked too high a price for salvation — one they couldn’t afford to pay. The world quickly turns on the family, demanding they give their infant son — Franklin Reed — to the planet-eating Galactus. The four find themselves in a precarious situation, but remain adamant about finding a way out — that, however, proves difficult.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps stuck the landing. MCU’s latest release — and its biggest 2025 — is exactly what the MCU needed; no out-of-place one-liners, no convoluted CGI, and fleshed-out characters. The movie does a great job of making the viewer feel the stakes and remain uncertain of what’s coming next. The dialogue was well-written — at times quite emotional — and the plot naturally progressed without feeling rushed, as is the case with many superhero movies. Part of an MCU phase many have called underwhelming, The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings back hope for Phase Six of the cinematic universe.

Stay for the mid-credits scene. Once the credits start rolling, hold on to your popcorn and stick to your seats — it’s not over yet.

WHERE TO WATCH- The Fantastic Four: First Steps is screening at Vox Cinemas in City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Alexandria. You can also catch the film at City Stars Cinemas, Scene Cinemas at CFCM and District 5, and P90 Cinema. You can also watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:43).