First off, sorry this took so long—life got in the way, as it tends to do. I’m still working on being more consistent with reviews, so let’s see how that goes.

Marvel’s latest release brings back one of the most iconic families in comic book history: the Fantastic Four. Announced back in 2019 after Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, this film had a lot to prove—especially after the flop that was the 2015 version. I’ll admit, I was skeptical, but honestly? Marvel pulled it off. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid addition to the MCU.

What I really appreciated is that you don’t need to be caught up on every MCU movie, show, or spin-off to enjoy it. It stands on its own, and that makes it great for casual viewers too. Let’s get into it (no spoilers, promise) and figure out if this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.

Unlike most MCU films, this one takes place in Earth-828, not the sacred timeline we’re used to. It’s set in 1964 and was created specifically for this story—no grand multiverse setup here (at least not yet). Fun fact: the 828 designation is a nod to Jack Kirby’s birthday, August 28, 1917.

The story picks up four years after the Fantastic Four’s fateful space mission, where cosmic rays gave them their powers. Since then, they’ve become global icons. Reed Richards' tech has pushed society forward, while Sue Storm’s Future Foundation has helped bring a sense of peace to the world.

If you remember Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), you’ve got a loose idea of the setup here—though this version takes a much better swing at the concept. Galactus returns as the main threat, but this time he’s not a weird cloud; he’s the towering cosmic force we’ve been waiting to see done right.

The drama kicks in when the Silver Surfer arrives on Earth with a chilling message: “Your planet is now marked for death.”

Here, the Surfer is a woman, which might throw some fans off, but Julia Garner isn’t playing Norrin Radd. She’s actually Shalla-Bal, his love interest from the comics.

It’s a smart move by Marvel, not only does it avoid repeating the 2007 storyline, but it also gives Shalla-Bal a chance to be more than just a cosmic girlfriend. Here, she’s powerful, conflicted, and front-and-center. And since this all takes place in Earth-828, it doesn’t mess with the main MCU timeline.

Another big theme in this film is family and sacrifice—two things that hit hard throughout the story. The Fantastic Four aren’t just a superhero team here, they’re a real family, and that bond deepens when we find out Sue is pregnant with Franklin Richards.

I won’t spoil anything, but if you know Franklin from the comics, you know he’s no ordinary kid. He’s an omega-level mutant, capable of reshaping reality itself—literally creating universes. So yeah, his introduction carries some major cosmic weight.

The theme of sacrifice runs deeper too—not just with the Fantastic Four, but also with Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer. Like Norrin Radd before her, she’s given up everything to serve Galactus and spare her world. And now she’s the one delivering that same doom to Earth. It’s heavy stuff, but it gives the movie a real emotional core beneath all the sci-fi spectacle.

I’m both excited and a little nervous to see how Marvel handles Franklin, but his presence alone opens the door to some wild possibilities.

Lastly, there’s Galactus. He’s not just a villain, but a force of nature. In the comics, he isn’t evil in the traditional sense; he’s more like a cosmic necessity. Galactus consumes planets to survive, maintaining balance in the universe, no matter how devastating that balance might be. What makes him so terrifying isn’t just his power (which is practically godlike), but the fact that you can’t reason with him. He doesn’t destroy for fun—he destroys because it’s what he must do. Anytime he appears in a story, the stakes are massive, and the heroes are often way out of their depth. His presence in this film instantly raises the scale to something far beyond the usual MCU fare.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is an easy recommendation—not just for Marvel fans, but for anyone looking for a fun, self-contained sci-fi adventure. Sure, it’s not perfect. There are a few rough CGI moments, and some viewers might shrug it off because it’s set in an alternate timeline. But honestly, that’s part of its charm. It doesn't ask you to binge ten shows or memorize multiverse charts—you can just show up, enjoy the ride, and leave satisfied.

The set design is gorgeous, the team has great chemistry, and the story hits that sweet spot between emotional depth and cosmic spectacle. And with a sequel already in the works, this feels like the beginning of something exciting. Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in cinemas nationwide, and if you can, catch it in IMAX—it really makes a difference. Either way, go see it. You won’t regret it.

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