Set on a retro-futuristic alternate Earth, “First Steps” allows the story of the Fantastic Four to play out unencumbered by ongoing storylines or characters from other movies and TV shows, making it the most accessible and straightforward MCU movie in years.

Is the new “Fantastic Four” movie fantastic? No, and not everyone will love the amount of downtime in this one. But good is good enough for a Marvel superhero movie these days.

Matt Shakman’s direction embraces a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic New York that’s both groovy and cosmic. It’s all colorful suits, weird tech, and moody lighting. The Fantasticar soaring through the skyline? Chef’s kiss. And Michael Giacchino’s jazzy, celestial score doesn’t just support the world – it becomes part of the storytelling.

First Steps" took the top spot at the box office this weekend, knocking DC Studios' "Superman" to second place.

On this week's episode of IndieWire's "Screen Talk" podcast, we review Matt Shakman's Marvel needle-reset "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" and parse the latest fall festival announcements.

A lot has to do with the fantastic four at the heart of this Marvel family, who live together and eat together, and are played by actors who play well off each other, particularly the always-splendid Kirby.

Flame on! There’s more than one hot new superhero movie at a theater near you. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is a depiction of the super-powered family that have been loved for decades by fans. Other versions of the movie haven'[t been so well received.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is helping Marvel to "get its mojo back", according to most early reviews of the new superhero reboot. The 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is "Marvel's best film in a decade", the Telegraph said, while the Guardian declared the studio had "regained its buoyancy".