The Fantastic Four: First Steps review – A movie finally worthy of Marvel’s first family

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In a thrilling, anticipation-reviving film suitable for their heroic status, the extraordinary team known as the Fantastic Four has formally embarked on their journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

If not for the successful Spider-Man trilogy by Sam Raimi, Hollywood might not have made Spider-Man the globally beloved superhero he is today, despite DC fans’ enthusiasm. In fact, films like Kick-Ass, Wanted, and A History of Violence, which were once lesser-known stories, have been turned into big hits by Hollywood.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but wonder why the Marvel’s original crew, who are as significant to comic book history as Superman himself, have seemingly been overlooked or even let down by the big screen adaptations? The 1994 film debacle is well-known, and while the 2005-2007 movies provided some enjoyable moments, they lacked the depth needed to truly do justice to these iconic characters. And then there’s the infamous ‘Fantastic Four’ of 2015, a film so disastrous that it’s become a punchline rather than being reevaluated as a hidden gem.

Here’s an interesting twist: Despite being among the oldest characters in the MCU, it’s their latest appearance that serves as their redemption on the big screen – First Steps.

What is Fantastic Four about? 

In the universe known as Earth-828, a group of astronauts – Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) – embarked on a space voyage. Upon their return, they underwent profound transformations. Particularly, an unforeseen cosmic ray affected their genetic makeup, bestowing them with extraordinary abilities.

Four years down the line, they’ve become celebrities, role models, leaders, and guardians of our world. But just as Sue makes her pregnancy announcement, Earth encounters an unforeseen guest: the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, who alerts us that our planet has been targeted for destruction.

As I stand here, ready to announce, ready to declare, it’s none other than Galactus who’s at hand, she states with her captivating rhythm. This declaration sets the Fantastic Four on a mission, frantically brainstorming strategies to shield our world from being swallowed up.

In essence, this standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film presents a completely fresh narrative with entirely new characters. It’s written and paced skillfully to avoid overwhelming you, providing a delightful viewing experience that feels remarkably unique within the franchise. This movie focuses primarily on its own plot, offering a breath of fresh air by not being overly concerned with past or future events.

You won’t find the backstory of these characters at the beginning of the movie, instead, it delves straight into the action. The impending Doomsday for the Avengers is hinted at, but the narrative concentrates on the team, the birth of Reed and Sue’s child, and their harrowing encounter with Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson.

The character portrayed by Natasha Lyonne, although compact and impactful, seemed somewhat underserved in terms of development. It’s a pity we didn’t get to delve deeper into the team’s interactions with the broader world. To be honest, I was hoping for a more expansive exploration of their relationships. In essence, I wished for more screen time with them.

You’ve never seen an MCU movie like Fantastic Four 

I must extend my heartfelt praise to director Matt Shakman and the brilliant minds behind the production design of Fantastic Four. The world they’ve crafted is nothing short of breathtaking – an exquisite blend of intricate, retro-futuristic elements that envelops me completely. It’s not just eye candy; it feels like a deliberate, authentic aesthetic choice, making the experience far from a mere gimmick.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the CGI in this game is off the charts! Every character gets their own jaw-dropping moments – and let me tell you, there’s one scene where Reed’s stretched out like Stretch Armstrong, and it’s downright awkward, but in a delicious way. It’s tough to imagine a more visually stunning portrayal of the Fantastic Four than this. Gone are the days of Galactus being just a cloud – now he’s something else entirely!

The film’s appearance isn’t flawless; it occasionally succumbs to the greyscale trend in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which can be disappointing given how vibrant the team’s suits and powers are portrayed. However, despite not reaching the level of dynamism seen in Henry Braham’s work on James Gunn’s Superman, the cinematography (by Jess Hall, known for WandaVision) is consistently well-executed and sometimes impressively composed. Additionally, the integration of grainy flashback footage adds a nice touch to the visual style.

In a more relaxed and conversational tone: Some parts of the movie feel like they were made for TV, but when it comes to the important scenes, Fantastic Four really delivers. The space sequences, reminiscent of Interstellar and Ad Astra, are visually stunning, especially Galactus’ march and the Silver Surfer gliding above Earth’s glow or hurtling towards a dying star. Overall, these moments are truly captivating.

The Fantastic Four should be here to stay 

People who are uncertain or even skeptical about the casting choices in Fantastic Four will soon find themselves pleasantly surprised. Pascal adds his unique charm to the role, while Quinn offers a one-of-a-kind interpretation of Johnny Storm that remains youthful and endearing. As for The Thing, Moss-Bachrach delivers an exceptional performance that surpasses previous portrayals (with no disregard intended towards Michael Chiklis).

In this film, the portrayal of the Fantastic Four is unparalleled, but it’s Kirby’s Sue Storm who truly shines. She is a character of steadfast determination and raw emotion that binds everything cohesively. Moreover, she steals the show with the most impactful scene in the movie, a testament to her growing on-screen presence.

According to Reed, Galactus is an enigmatic life form, but Ineson gives him a touch of human qualities (and plenty of intimidation, given his booming voice) that makes him far more intriguing than a colossal entity consuming planets. If it weren’t for Kirby, Garner would be the standout; we can’t wait to see where she pops up next.

Is it possible that the script could have been more humorous? The camaraderie between the cast members certainly compensates for its flaws. However, as a platform to introduce characters, tell an independent story, and satisfy Marvel Studios and fans alike, it is without a doubt a success.

Last point: one major drawback of the MCU is that it lacks clear, identifiable themes. Alan Silvestri did a fantastic job with The Avengers, but I want to ask you this question: could you hum or whistle the theme from Iron Man, Captain America, or any of the Thor movies, excluding Black Sabbath’s music?

It’s no surprise that Michael Giacchino (composer of The Batman) has rectified the previous issue by creating an extraordinary superhero theme that will stay in your head for the entire year. His score is enchanting, triumphant, sparkling, and incredibly catchy. “Fantastic Four!” What a brilliant piece of work!

Fantastic Four review score: 4/5

Fantastic Four is… fantastic, and easily the best MCU movie since Guardians of the Galaxy 3. 

Approaching its most significant event since Endgame, this film showcases an authentic cinematic perspective, refusing to conform to standard expectations. It’s bound to excite you about Doomsday, but even more so, it could rekindle your faith in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Onwards and upwards – or, to borrow the word of a legend, “Excelsior!” 

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2025-07-22 19:19