🌌 First Reviews Just Dropped—But Are They Fantastic?
The Fantastic Four is back. Yes, again. And if you've already seen buzz around the first reviews trickling in, hold that excitement just a sec—we’ll get there. Before we celebrate this cinematic comeback, let’s travel back in time (no Time Platform required) and revisit the storied comic history and infamous cinematic missteps of Marvel’s First Family. Only then can we truly appreciate why today’s headlines might just be a turning point.
👨👩👦👦 Fantastic Four: The Comic Book Cornerstone
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961, The Fantastic Four launched the Marvel Age of comics. More than just another superhero team, they were a dysfunctional-yet-loving family navigating both cosmic threats and personal drama. Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm weren’t secretive vigilantes—they were celebrities, scientists, and space explorers.
The early issues blended science fiction and superheroism, featuring foes like Doctor Doom, Galactus, and the Silver Surfer, and took readers to the Negative Zone and beyond. At its best, the series was a cosmic soap opera wrapped in wild Kirby tech and New York banter.
🎬 From Comics to Camp: The Previous Film Adaptations
Let’s be real: adapting the Fantastic Four has always been tough.
The 2005’s Fantastic Four and its sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer were glossy, campy, and drenched in early-2000s energy.
💬 I won’t lie—I liked them as a kid. They were fun. Goofy? Absolutely. But fun.
The less said about 2015’s dark, grim, and joyless reboot, the better.
Despite some decent casting (Jessica Alba! Michael B. Jordan! Chris Evans before Cap!), the stories always seemed to miss the mark—either too silly or too self-serious, never quite capturing the science-meets-family-meets-absurdity that defined the source material.
For a while, the Fantastic Four felt like an IP Hollywood just didn’t know how to handle.
🔥 But Now… Something Has Changed
Cue the record scratch and dramatic pause…
Because today, the first wave of reviews is in for Fantastic Four: First Steps—and the buzz is real.
🎥 John Campea (YouTube): “I read 4 or 5 dozen reviews—not one negative. 105 registered reviews and it’s holding at 89%. That’s higher than Superman.”
Watch here:
✨ Critics Are Actually Loving It—Here’s What They’re Saying
Let’s dive into a few highlights from the early critics:
📰 Forbes: “A real sense of purpose and forward motion… rather than needing to be pushed.”
📽️ Level Reviews: “The first time in a long time Fantastic Four felt like more than just an IP.”
📚 Cinemania: “A heartfelt homage to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s cosmic spirit.”
🧠 RogerEbert.com: “A solid, intelligent, occasionally inspired comic book movie.”
🌀 PunchDrunk Critics: “Retro-future energy capturing the hopeful sci-fi tone of the 1960s.”
🌌 3C Films: “The MCU nailed it… Galactus must be seen in IMAX.”
And from major outlets:
🎬 Associated Press: “A sturdy beginning with impeccable production design.”
📰 Rolling Stone: “The best screen adaptation to date… the bar has finally been cleared.”
📝 San Francisco Chronicle: “Its success lies in its focus on family and hope.”
🌍 Variety: “True to its subtitle, the film feels like a fresh start.”
🧑🤝🧑 Family. Hope. Chemistry. It’s All There.
One common thread in almost every review? The chemistry of the core four. Even early skeptics are giving props to the cast—especially Pedro Pascal, who seems to be everywhere but reportedly delivers. And yes, Galactus is finally done right, with IMAX-worthy visuals and scale.
The tone? A balance of retro sci-fi, Marvel charm, and emotional gravity. It avoids self-parody, pays homage to its roots, and—dare we say—might restore faith in the MCU.
🎟️ My Verdict? I’m Watching It Opening Night.
Look, I haven’t seen it yet—but I’m amped. The trailers didn’t hook me, and I’ll admit the early marketing campaign felt clunky. But those 5-minute clips? And these reviews? I’m in.
After so many disappointing MCU entries (Secret Invasion, Echo, I’m looking at you), this feels like the comeback we’ve been waiting for.
🔗 Related Reads
🗨️ What Do You Think?
Are you excited to see Fantastic Four: First Steps? Do you think Marvel finally cracked the code? Drop your thoughts in the comments—and let’s talk about it.
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