Set in a sort-of futuristic ’60s, the art direction/look of this film marks a Marvel high point, and the score is great, too. The movie has a lot of heart to go with some consistent laughs.

Hard on the heels of the new “Superman” comes “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which shares its sentimental tone and surprisingly many of its themes, including a hostile populace, a gigantic menace, ...