Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby Are a Dream Duo in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

The four fantastic friends are back for their fourth official big-screen outing — their mission this time is not only to save the world but to redeem themselves after the disastrous 2015 reboot starring Miles Teller.

Marvel fans will want to see this because it’s the first movie in Phase Six of the MCU. Non-comic-book fans will be lured in by Pedro Pascal, who stars as smarty-pants scientist Reed Richards. A.k.a Mr. Fantastic, he’s the leader of the quartet, and can stretch his body to any length. His wife, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), is able to generate force fields and turn invisible. Rounding out the crew are her brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), who can fly and control fire, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, whose skin is made of rock and who boasts superhuman strength.

Sue has just learned she’s pregnant when the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives to announce that a cosmic being known as Galactus is about to devour Earth. Cue the cool special effects as the four channel their superpowers to fend off yet another existential threat.

The incredible sets — a mix of 60s retro and Jetsons futuristic — and the cast’s charisma may give the Fantastic Four a much-needed redemption arc.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | In theaters Friday, July 24 PG-13