'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review
Matt Shakman Brings Emotion Back to Marvel (Disney+)
With Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby leading a restrained, heartfelt reboot, First Steps breathes new life into an old formula by focusing on a smaller scale rather than bigger spectacle. When it’s no longer possible to make something enormous even bigger, Marvel opts to shrink the scope.
This approach is evident in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The challenge and threat faced by the characters remain significant, but the story unfolds on a more intimate scale. Departing from the usual barrage of explosions and special effects that dominate superhero blockbusters, director Matt Shakman embraces a clear visual style, a limited cast, a rare dramatic tone for the genre, and a straightforward narrative.
“For the first time in a long while, you get the sense that a Marvel movie has a personal vision, a coherent one—and that it also fulfills its mission to entertain.”
Shakman’s background is mostly in television, having directed episodes of renowned series like Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Fargo, and Succession. His only prior feature film was the little-known Cut Bank (2014), but with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, he translates his TV expertise into a cinematic context.
Key Highlights
- Focused, intimate storytelling over spectacle
- Strong lead performances by Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby
- Clear, coherent direction from Matt Shakman
- A rare dramatic tone in the Marvel universe
This film delivers a fresh emotional core to Marvel's storytelling by reducing scope and prioritizing character-driven drama.
Author’s summary: Matt Shakman revitalizes Marvel with an intimate, emotionally resonant film led by Pascal and Kirby, prioritizing story and character over spectacle.