The Fantastic Four is one of Marvel’s most iconic teams, yet they’ve never quite been done justice in a live-action film, until now. The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks Marvel’s first attempt at rebooting the team since regaining the rights to the IP. With the underwhelming Multiverse Saga still fresh in viewers’ minds, the pressure was on. So, is this a fantastic first step or just another misstep from Marvel?
If there’s one thing Marvel consistently excels at, it’s casting, and that continues to be the case here. Vanessa Kirby is phenomenal as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), bringing warmth and kindness to the character, while also showing plenty of strength and resolve. When Sue gets angry, it’s genuinely impactful. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is equally excellent as Ben Grimm (The Thing), perfectly embodying the “monster with a heart of gold” persona. Joseph Quinn delivers a terrific performance as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), capturing the flirty, high-energy charm the character is known for. Pedro Pascal, though initially a controversial choice for Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), proves the skeptics wrong. He portrays the brilliant yet socially awkward leader with nuance and charisma. The chemistry among the core cast is fantastic. You really believe they’re a family, and the banter between Ben and Johnny is especially fun and endearing. Julia Garner shines as the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson’s voice work as Galactus is superbly menacing.
One of the film’s smartest choices is skipping the traditional origin story. The origin is covered briefly in an opening sizzle reel, which allows the movie to dive straight into the action without unnecessary exposition. The story itself is engaging: the Silver Surfer arrives, heralding the impending destruction of Earth by Galactus. The Fantastic Four must face a threat unlike anything they’ve encountered before. At its core, the film is about family, and that theme is tested throughout the narrative. Another highlight is that the film isn’t set in the mainline MCU universe. This standalone approach makes it more accessible to newcomers, without requiring prior Marvel “homework.” The film also benefits visually from this creative freedom, boasting a 1960s retro-futuristic style that’s both bold and beautiful.
The strongest element of the film is undoubtedly the characterization of the team. The script doesn’t shy away from Reed’s flaws. His intelligence can make him seem cold and controlling, something the character is painfully aware of. Johnny Storm, often portrayed as just a hothead, is given more depth here. He’s still charming and impulsive, but also brave and clever. The CGI is well done overall; while early concerns were raised about the Silver Surfer’s look, the final product is impressive. And finally, we get a Galactus who isn’t just a giant cloud, he’s a visually stunning and a genuinely threatening presence. A standout space sequence in the second act is a particular visual treat. The costumes are spot-on, perfectly matching the retro aesthetic, and Michael Giacchino’s score may be one of Marvel’s best yet. The Fantastic Four theme is especially memorable and sticks with you long after the credits roll.
That said, the film isn’t without flaws. At just 114 minutes, it feels a bit short for a superhero film. Some characters get less development than they deserve—most notably Ben Grimm, who lacks a major character arc or standout moment. Supporting characters like Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser) and Lynne Nichols (Sarah Niles) feel underused. Galactus, while impressive, doesn’t appear as much as one might hope. Similarly, Reed Richards barely uses his stretching powers, which is a bit of a letdown. The film is also relatively light on action, likely due to the overwhelming nature of Galactus as a villain. There’s a quick montage of the team in action early on, but it feels like some of this may have been cut down.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is truly a fantastic step in the right direction for Marvel. This film completely nails the family dynamic and the characterization of these iconic heroes. It brought me so much joy to finally see these characters done justice on the big screen. While not a perfect leap forward, it’s a strong and confident first step and I can’t wait to see what the next step is for the Fantastic Four!
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