The first family of Marvel finally makes its mark in The Fantastic Four: First Steps after years of cinematic missteps, delivering an emotionally sincere reboot and a visually striking film from director Matt Shakman. Set in a parallel universe inspired by 1960s aesthetics (Earth-828), the film pays homage to American space-age optimism and retrofuturism, celebrating its comic book origins. The story begins with an unexpected pregnancy announcement by Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), just before cosmic events unfold. The arrival of the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) introduces the planet-threatening Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson), propelling the Fantastic Four into a perilous space mission. The film's impact largely hinges on Kirby's compelling performance and the impressive designs that say a lot, though the family dynamic lacks spark. Kasra Farahani leads on production design, complemented by a fine score from Michael Giacchino; this chapter of the Fantastic Four balances nostalgic style with superhero spectacle. The film features qualities of a solid, long-overdue introduction. Rated PG-13, it runs for 115 minutes.