Although set in the 1960s, The Fantastic Four in IMAX takes place on Earth-828 (A homage to Jack Kirby’s birthday, August 28th), giving it a distinct identity that separates it from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline we’ve been immersed in for over a decade. That choice alone makes the movie feel refreshing, as it doesn’t try to replicate the tone or structure of recent MCU entries. Instead, it embraces a retro style that feels lighter, more adventurous, and less burdened by the interconnected story arcs that have defined Marvel’s recent phases.
One of the film’s strongest qualities is how it reintroduces The Fantastic Four in a way that feels both familiar and new. While longtime Marvel fans have seen a few versions of these characters in past films, this movie appears to be far more intent on evoking the spirit of the classic comic books and even the animated series many viewers grew up watching. It’s nostalgic without feeling stale, and that’s a difficult balance to strike.
This adaptation of The Fantastic Four captures a wonderful sense of family. Unlike previous attempts to bring these characters to the big screen, this movie offers a lighter tone and showcases the fun aspects of the family’s dynamics.
There are plenty of action sequences, and they’re staged with energy and clarity rather than excessive visual clutter. Filmed entirely in IMAX, the visuals benefit from the larger format—the cityscapes, cosmic vistas, and even the smaller character-driven moments look sharp and immersive on the big screen. The sound design is equally impressive, making full use of modern Cinema setups to draw you in.
For those wondering about the larger MCU connections, yes, there’s a mid-credits scene that sets up Avengers: Doomsday, signalling how these characters will eventually tie into future Marvel stories. However, the post-credits stinger that follows isn’t essential viewing. It’s simply a playful, cartoon-style introduction to the team—a nice nod to the past, but not something worth waiting through all the credits unless you’re curious or nostalgic.
The casting for The Fantastic Four is fantastic. Pedro Pascal delivers a brilliant performance as Reed Richards, portraying his intellect as a driving force that often overshadows his emotions. Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Richards, embodying the protective mother role beautifully. Joseph Quinn does well as Johnny Storm; while he may not be as cocky as the character has been in previous adaptations, he still captures the essence of the Human Torch that fans know and love.
Lastly, Ebon Moss-Bachrach‘s portrayal of Ben Grimm is commendable. Over the years, Ben has become one of my favourite characters in The Fantastic Four, and Ebon does a great job bringing him to life in this adaptation.
Notable mentions go out to Ralph Ineson for the amazing voice work on Galactus, and in my point of view, he was a perfect choice for the character. Julia Garner brings us some memorable scenes as Shalla-Bal, aka the Silver Surfer, and although there have been a few haters on the internet over her portrayal of the character, I thought that she brought some great moments with her screentime.
One last mention goes out to the brilliant Natasha Lyonne. I wasn’t expecting to see her in the film, but what an awesome surprise to see her pop up as Rachel Rozman. I won’t go into too much detail (spoilers), but after hearing her as Byrdie in What If…? It was great to see her in a live-action Marvel production.
Overall, The Fantastic Four: First Steps in IMAX is a lively, visually striking, and enjoyable addition that stands apart from Marvel’s recent output, offering both a fresh start and a welcome throwback.