Legendary game developer Hideo Kojima has weighed in on Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, praising the film’s nostalgic feel in a glowing review. Since its release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has broken an MCU box office record, surprisingly becoming the highest-earning MCU movie in the first week at the domestic box office, and it is clear why.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the second reboot for the Fantastic Four and is markedly different from the first. With an 87% Tomatometer and 92% Popcornmeter, First Steps is set in a 1960s retro-futuristic world, and follows the established superhero group as they fight to protect the world from Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a planet-devouring cosmic being.
On X, Hideo Kojima adored The Fantastic Four: First Steps, stating that “everything is crafted with a thorough commitment to a 1960s aesthetic blended with a sense of futurism,” adding, “It felt nostalgic.” Comparing the film to the likes of Bewitched or a live-action The Incredibles, Kojima summarized: “As a ‘first step’ to reboot the series, it’s truly ‘fantastic’.”
The Death Stranding creator talked at length about the film’s style, specifically praising First Steps’ director, Matt Shakman, who directed Marvel’s WandaVision. Furthermore, Kojima points out a post-COVID superhero film trend to adopt a “retro-futuristic, colorful, and nostalgic direction,” compared to previous superhero movies’ “dark and gritty tone.” Check out Kojima’s full review below:
What Hideo Kojima’s Fantastic Four Review Means For The Movie
The Game Developer Favors Fantastic Four Over Superman
Known for his creative and sometimes bizarre games, Hideo Kojima knows how to write a good story. Therefore, Kojima’s praise for Fantastic Four isn’t something to take lightly, and it’s also not the only superhero movie the game developer has weighed in on recently. On July 31, Kojima reviewed James Gunn’s Superman, calling it “a heartwarming ‘human’ film.”
While Kojima had nothing bad to say about Fantastic Four, his review of Superman was somewhat mixed, as he said: “It was neither dark nor stylish, cool or even ‘super.'” In comparison, Kojima’s Fantastic Four review is much more optimistic, and this is reflected in Superman and Fantastic Four‘s opening worldwide box office, with the MCU movie beating Gunn’s film.
Our Take On Kojima’s Fantastic Four Review
We Also Love That Classic Superhero Aesthetics Are Making A Comeback
The Fantastic Four: First Steps lacks a little storywise, and while it’s not the best Marvel movie, it’s also not the worst. It’s a great film, and Kojima is correct about the movie’s style. The retro-futuristic aesthetic is less explored in modern cinema, so it’s nice to see it make a comeback in something as big as the MCU.
Kojima is also right about post-COVID superhero films shifting in style. Previously, these projects distanced themselves from their colorful source material and the cheesy 2000s era for a realistic, gritty approach. However, this has worn thin. Therefore, it’s quite exciting to see the cheesy comics style return once again in things like The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman.
