After the disappointment of previous big budget versions of The Fantastic Four (a pair of forgettable efforts from Tim Story released in 2005 and 2007, and Josh Trank’s 2015 box-office bomb), the prospect of another movie focusing on the cosmically altered comic-book quartet seemed like lunacy. Thankfully, it’s a case of third time lucky as Marvel and director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) take control of a more assured adaptation, which acknowledges and even embraces the team’s dated and, let’s be honest, pretty ridiculous schtick.

Set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, not unlike TV’s Fallout, First Steps catches up with the gang on the fourth anniversary of the space flight that resulted in their superpowers and established them as Earth’s protectors. We’re introduced to stretchy scientist Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) and his newly pregnant wife Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby). The pair live in harmony with Sue’s brother Johnny/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Reed’s hulking and stone-skinned best friend Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach).

If the heroes are fleshed out nicely, the villains feel more by-the-numbers. Julia Garner plays metallic herald the Silver Surfer, who brings news of the imminent destruction of Earth by Galactus (Ralph Ineson), with the gigantic, god-like being also setting his sights on Sue and Reed’s potentially powerful unborn child. The film’s kitsch domestic stylings smartly incorporate the silliness, while allowing this unconventional brood to endearingly establish themselves as the perfect family.

The conviction of the excellent cast adds credibility, with Sue’s maternal devotion gifting Kirby some dramatic meat. It’s getting hard to impress considering the constraints of the superhero film formula and the fact that this is now the 37th feature in the MCU, so this well-judged effort feels more solid than spectacular. However, given what came before, that’s more than good enough.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in cinemas now.