The Fantastic Four: First Steps

"Poignant character-based scenes do the heavy lifting."

"The actors tether their characters to emotional reality."

"An entertaining spectacle in its own innocent self-enclosed universe of fantasy wackiness."

"Finally gets its heroes right, after so many tries."

"Feels less like a victory than it does a total surrender."

"True to its subtitle, the film feels like a fresh start."

"Uncluttered, good-natured and altogether good value."

"Pedro Pascal leads the team back to the retro-future in colorful new version."

"Rattles along with a refreshing clarity of purpose."

"A very unusual sort of franchise instalment: one that feels every inch a one-off."

"Projects an unflinching sincerity and optimism."

"Feels quite fresh, albeit in a totally recycled way."

"Doesn’t hit quite so many comedic high notes as some other Marvels."

"All the ingredients are perfectly lined up here."

"An endearingly earnest superhero drama about family and heroism."

"Heartfelt, action-packed and just plain fun."

"The key to its success is its focus on family and hope."

"The best screen version to date."

"A solid, intelligent, occasionally inspired comic book movie."

"Marks a slight improvement from the preceding trilogy of terror."

"Pedro Pascal leads a cast of fine actors in yet another sluggish attempt to bring the Marvel comic heroes to life."