List of IAB Vendors In the opening scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) is rummaging through his bathroom cabinets for medication when his wife Sue (Vanessa Kirby) shares news that she is pregnant.

"First Steps" promises to push the MCU out of its comfort zone, but the movie quickly retreats into a tired version of the same old story.

That judgement is based on the reviews alone. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has already achieved a rare feat: its debut Rotten Tomatoes rating stands at a solid 86%, making it the first “Fantastic Four” movie ever to earn a “fresh” status. That score even nudges out the new “ Superman ” reboot, which currently sits at 83% on the Tomatometer.

But it was a little odd to hear that Marvel also planned to make the Fantastic Four a major part of the MCU’s future. Even though the Fantastic Four have always been prominent in Marvel’s comics, the characters — created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee — had never translated well to the big screen.

A helpful guide on what new releases to watch, including movies in theaters, on streaming or available to rent or buy on digital and on-demand.

Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn star in Marvel's latest, out July 25.

It’s box office clobberin’ time — or so Marvel hopes.

First Steps are absolutely fantastic. Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in United States theaters this weekend. Directed by Matt Shakman, the MCU flick stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards,

Despite strong performances by Pedro Pascal and others – and for all its "breezy competence and flair" – this retro vision of the future from Marvel doesn't have enough suspense.