The Fantastic Four: First Steps - A Retro-Future Marvel Adventure with Mixed Reviews

The new film 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' brings a retrofuturistic 1960s aesthetic and intriguing characters to the MCU, praised for visuals but criticized for some CGI.

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Movie Review: The villains steal the show in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

Associated Press

'Fantastic Four' review: 'First Steps' makes Marvel groovy again

USA TODAY

'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Isn't Quite Fantastic, But It's Pretty Great

Gizmodo

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Daily Beast

Yes, 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Brings Marvel's O.G.s Into the MCU

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‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Review: Pedro Pascal Leads A Charismatic Cast In A Satisfying And Stylish Marvel Adventure

Deadline

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The movie 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' distinguishes itself within the Marvel Cinematic Universe by adopting a unique retrofuturistic 1960s aesthetic, setting it apart from other Marvel films.
The film is set in a uniquely designed retro-future world on Earth-828, featuring intriguing characters whose abilities are referred to as 'anomalies' rather than traditional superpowers.
Critics praise the movie's extraordinary and stunning visual effects, especially on IMAX, which effectively bring certain characters to life in a satisfying and stylish Marvel adventure.
Despite visual strengths, 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' faces criticism for hit-or-miss CGI work, including ungainly rear-projection effects, and is noted for missteps compared to previous adaptations.
Overall, 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' presents a mixed reception, lauded for its unique design and top-notch cast, but also scrutinized for specific visual effects and past franchise disappointments.

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources frame "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" as an exceptionally strong and refreshing entry in the Marvel universe. They consistently highlight its innovative approach, strong performances, and engaging spectacle, positioning it as a significant improvement over previous iterations and a standout film that avoids typical superhero tropes.

"But, especially for a superhero team that’s never before quite taken flight on screen, “First Steps” is a sturdy beginning, with impeccable production design by Kasra Farahani and a rousing score by Michael Giacchino."

Associated Press

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"It’s a “Fantastic Four” movie that finally gets its heroes right, after so many tries."

USA TODAY

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"The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a nice, simple, familiar-feeling movie that will make you feel warm and fuzzy for a while but maybe doesn’t have the lasting power of something stronger."

Gizmodo

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"The perma-’50s vibe is incredibly well realized, and the sets are endlessly inventive: Cinema marquees in Times Square boast films with titles like Subzero Intel, Sunrise in Minsk, and The Emperor’s Twin (a Walt Disney production, apparently), plus adverts for Juicy Fruit chewing gum and Pop Tarts."

Deadline

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