'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Early Buzz Hails Marvel's "Visual Feast" and "Best Depiction" of the Team

Early reactions to Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" are overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising the film's visuals, performances, and storytelling. The film, directed by Matt Shakman, is generating buzz as a potential return to form for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Critics Laud Performances and Visuals

Following screenings for members of the film press, social media has been flooded with positive reactions. Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, called the film "fantastic" and commended the "excellent" leading cast and "delightful" retro-futuristic aesthetic. He also lauded Shakman's "snappy, confident storytelling" as a sign that the MCU is "regaining control of the ship."

Brandon Davis, an entertainment journalist, went even further, calling "Fantastic Four" one of the "best things Marvel has ever done." He compared the film's visuals to those of Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar," praising the depiction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer. "Cosmically and on Earth, Matt Shakman dropped a visual feast," Davis wrote.

Sharareh Drury of People magazine echoed the praise, describing the film as "breathtaking." She highlighted the performances of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm, calling Kirby a "shooting star."

A New Era for Marvel?

The positive early reactions come at a crucial time for Marvel Studios. After a string of releases that have been met with mixed reviews, "Fantastic Four: First Steps" represents a significant opportunity for the MCU to course-correct and regain its footing as a dominant force in Hollywood. "This film could be the catalyst for a new wave of enthusiasm for Marvel," says Paul Dergarabedian, Senior Media Analyst at Comscore. "The franchise needs a win, and these early reactions suggest they might have found it."

The success of "Fantastic Four" could also signal a shift in Marvel's approach to filmmaking, potentially prioritizing strong character development and compelling narratives over sheer spectacle. "What Marvel needs is not just bigger explosions, but more emotionally resonant storytelling," adds Dergarabedian. "If 'Fantastic Four' delivers on that front, it could set a new standard for the franchise."

The Fantastic Four's Long Road to the Big Screen

The Fantastic Four, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, are foundational characters in the Marvel Universe. However, their cinematic history has been fraught with challenges. Previous attempts to bring the team to the big screen have been met with critical disappointment, with the 2005 film and its 2007 sequel, as well as the 2015 reboot, failing to capture the spirit of the source material.

This latest iteration, "Fantastic Four: First Steps", is particularly significant as it marks the team's official introduction into the MCU. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Ralph Ineson plays the iconic villain Galactus. The film is set to explore the team's origins and their struggle to balance their newfound powers with their personal lives, all while facing cosmic threats.

Behind the Scenes

Matt Shakman directs "Fantastic Four: First Steps" from a script by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, and Jeff Kaplan. The film was originally slated to include John Malkovich as Red Ghost, but the character was ultimately cut from the final version. Shakman expressed his disappointment but explained that the decision was made to streamline the film's narrative.

"There were a lot of things that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor," Shakman said. "When we were building a '60s retro-future world, introducing all of these villains, introducing these four main characters as a group, as well as individually, introducing the idea of a child — there was a lot of stuff to balance in this movie and some things had to go ultimately in terms of shaping the film for its final version."

Release Date and Anticipation

"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" is scheduled to hit theaters on July 24. With the overwhelmingly positive early reactions, anticipation for the film is high. Whether it will truly live up to the hype remains to be seen, but the initial buzz suggests that Marvel may have finally cracked the code to bringing the Fantastic Four to cinematic success.

"Fantastic Four is a story about family above all else, where each member of the team is equally important. No one is underserved; the movie excels when fleshing out the various bonds between Pedro, Vanessa, Ebon, & Joseph. The retro '60s aesthetic works on all fronts." - Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) "#FantasticFour Is a masterpiece. the visual effects and the score are a HUGE stand out. Galactus Is huge In IMAX. It's emotional and gives you hope. It beats you off and doesn't stop. STAY Until the END CREDITS." - Deo (@frickyuu) "Fantastic Four friggin' rocks! More than any Marvel movie before it, F4 feels like Jack Kirby's imagination brought to life on the big screen. Between this and Superman, 2025 might go down as the year movies finally embrace the wonderful weirdness of comic books." - Chris Killian (@chriskillian) "Nothing will prepare you for #TheFantasticFour First Steps. Pedro Pascal is the perfect Reed, but the entire cast shines and does right by these characters. It's funny, moving, gorgeous to look at, and non-stop FANTASTIC. This is @MarvelStudios at its brilliant best." - Josh Wilding (@Josh_Wilding)