Marvel’s First Family comes to the MCU, just in time to kick off Phase Six, the one that will

eventually culminate in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. There’s a lot riding on their shoulders, more so than the other films as they have already been depicted on screen before, to varying levels of success. There’s an expectation for this one to do well, both to start Phase Six off on the right foot, and to be a more worthy rendition of the team on screen.

I am pleased to say that the movie, for the most part, delivers on these promises. In terms of design, it is one of the most visually distinct Marvel movies we’ve had in a long time, and also tonally unique. The visuals are a mix of modern and old-fashioned, reminiscent of

the old Jetsons cartoons, a blending of the past and present. The retro-futuristic look complements the film's overall vibe, which is one of optimism and embracing the future today.

It is an audacious move to go with such a treatment, but one that ultimately pays off. It pays homage to the very roots of the Fantastic Four, to the time when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first collaborated and gave birth to the Marvel Universe. It also sets one’s expectations.

Much of what goes on is undeniably over the top, if not downright kooky. However, because it is set in a world of flying cars, and in a time when people were still hopeful about life and what new fantastic discovery waits around the corner, it works.

Individually, they all get their moment to shine. Sue (Vanessa Kirby) is undoubtedly front and center as the beating heart of the FF, the one that holds everyone together. She’s focused and determined, a gifted diplomat and a frightening protector, especially when her son, Franklin, is involved.

Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are both excellent

together as the fun and more responsible uncles to Sue’s and Reed’s child, and as a general counterbalance to the power couple’s seriousness. They’re rivalry and one-upmanship have been toned down here, but they remain good-natured pals who, despite the teasing, would have each other’s back in a tight spot.

Pedro Pascal dons yet another fatherly role as Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards, the smartest man on Earth. He can solve any problem, yet still fails to build his son a proper crib. (There are a couple of leftover screws he can’t figure out where to put) Among all of them, he seems to be the one with the most growth potential. Like most fathers, Reed was thrown for a loop when Sue told him that they’re expecting a little bundle of joy. All of a sudden, there’s something outside of his domain of formulas and variables. He faces the challenge head-on, reacting in the best way he knows how, with a different set of formulas and variables.

However, he is still a scientist, and many of those necessarily detached calculations can yield very cold conclusions. Pascal expertly portrays a Reed who is not quite as sure of himself at times, and convincingly navigates the roles of father and scientist. As a character, we can expect to be a significant factor in the upcoming Avengers films; this is something to look forward to.

As great as they are individually, the chemistry among the cast kicks in when they are together. The family dynamic is spot on, which is essential because, unlike the Avengers, the FF is a superhero family first, a superhero team second. This serves as a great anchor for the film, making the characters relatable in a very outlandish world.

All in all, First Steps is the Fantastic Four’s first foray into the MCU — a fitting introduction to Marvel’s First Family.