The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

​“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson.  Released on July 25, 2025, the film has the Fantastic Four protecting Earth from a space god.

The film was directed by Matt Shakman, who also directed “Cut Bank” and several episodes of television shows such as “The Great”, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Game of Thrones”, and “WandaVision”.  It is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  It is also the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film series.  It’s safe to say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a position where more of our favorite superheroes get the opportunity to shine once more under the Disney umbrella.  This resurgence is largely attributed to the introduction of the multiverse, but from a business perspective, it can also be linked to Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which previously distributed Marvel films with the ones they owned, such as the X-Men.  Consequently, we’ve seen characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, and Electra make their entrance into the MCU through “Deadpool & Wolverine”, with the rest of the X-Men set to join in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday”.  This also means we have another superhero from Fox joining the expansive franchise’s multiverse journey, or should I say “a superhero family”.

The Fantastic Four have enjoyed a successful legacy in the comic book realm; yet, for some reason, Hollywood has struggled to get the concept right in its film adaptations.  Like, it’s about a guy who can stretch, a woman who turns invisible, a man who acts as a human-shaped lighter, and a giant rock.  It shouldn’t be that difficult to translate that idea to the big screen, but apparently, Hollywood has found a way to mess that up not once, not twice, but three times.  The 1994 film never saw the light of day until it was eventually claimed by pirates, the 2005 adaptation never made it past one sequel, and Josh Trank’s controversial version botched a seemingly ambitious take on the characters.  It goes to show that the only superpower they seem to lack is cinematic luck.  With Disney and Marvel Studios now at the helm of the Fantastic Four, we hoped they could provide “Marvel’s First Family” with the success they deserve.  With that said, let’s find out if the fourth time truly is the charm.

The story takes place on a retro-futuristic Earth, reminiscent of the 1960s, known as Earth-828.  A group of astronauts consisting of Reed Richards (Pascal), Sue Storm (Kirby), Ben Grimm (Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm (Quinn) gained unusual abilities from cosmic rays during their trip to space.  Reed can stretch parts of his body, Sue can generate force fields and turn invisible, Ben gains superhuman strength through his rock-like appearance, and Johnny can control fire.  Utilizing their powers, they become the Fantastic Four, a superhero team dedicated to protecting their city from nefarious threats.  As Reed and Sue prepare for the arrival of their child, they receive an ominous warning from a metallic-skinned entity known as the Silver Surfer (Garner), who reveals that a colossal cosmic god named Galactus (Ineson) is preparing to devour their planet.  Faced with this seemingly impossible threat, the Fantastic Four must find a solution to protect their people while maintaining their familial bond.   

My first exposure to the Fantastic Four regarding movies was through the 2005 adaptation and its sequel, “Rise of the Silver Surfer”.  Although I didn’t see the first movie in theaters upon its release, I had the chance to watch the sequel, which surprisingly received a PG rating, unlike its predecessor, which had a PG-13 rating.  As a result of this fortunate rating situation, “Rise of the Silver Surfer” became my first introduction to Marvel’s First Family.  Both films had their share of flaws, much like Fox’s other Marvel productions that aren’t related to X-Men, but the cast and visuals provided a nostalgic charm and cheesiness reminiscent of other movies from the 2000s.  Of course, I was also one of the unlucky fans who watched the 2015 reboot.  While it hinted at potential with its body horror elements, the execution of its narrative was an entirely different story.  It was one of the movies that struggled to balance what the director wanted with what the studio demanded, leaving another blemish on the cinematic franchise that’s far from fantastic.

Fortunately, with Marvel Studios acquiring the rights to the Fantastic Four, the characters now have a chance to achieve their first “good” film in the series.  Given the success of the MCU’s take on Spider-Man and Deadpool, there are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the superhero family’s journey into the ever-expanding universe.  Instead of following the traditional origin story, “First Steps” introduces the characters in a retro-futuristic Earth, distinct from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, rather than placing them in modern times, as in previous iterations.  This allowed the film to exist on its own, without requiring the audience to revisit other MCU installments for context.  Considering the challenges presented by recent MCU films, this refreshing shift is just what the franchise needs to reconnect with its fans, who are frustrated by its complex connections.  But are these changes fantastic enough to secure the team’s first cinematic triumph?  Not quite, but they’re decent enough for me to say that “First Steps” managed to break the superhero family’s cinematic curse.  It’s a fun and visually appealing spectacle that mostly delivers on the irresistible charisma and heart of Marvel’s First Family.  I do mean “mostly” because the story had a few shortcomings that kept it from being truly fantastic.

Regarding its screenplay, it's essentially “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” if it were set in the 1960s, with Reed and Sue already married.  This premise serves as a nod to fans familiar with that “Fantastic Four” sequel, offering a narrative with recognizable elements and few changes, such as Galactus’s comic-accurate design and the Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer.  Notably, this is also seen as the filmmakers’ attempt to address the shortcomings of that sequel’s mediocre portrayal of the Silver Surfer and Galactus.  While some people might think it would’ve been a lot better with an original story, I think this version of “Rise of the Silver Surfer” was a noteworthy improvement over the actual “Rise of the Silver Surfer”.  What “First Steps” got right in its screenplay was that it depicted the Fantastic Four as a genuine family unit, emphasizing equal trust and support in each other as well as those they’re protecting.  However, the arrival of Reed and Sue’s child puts that theory to the test, challenging their commitment to both family and their duty to protect the world.  This narrative arc could have enriched the film with emotional depth and complexity, akin to the bold, dramatic stakes seen in other MCU entries, such as “Civil War”, “Thor: Ragnarok”, and “Infinity War”.  However, that doesn’t appear to be the case, as it occasionally relies on familiar tropes and rushed plot developments to carry its narrative.  Given that this is the start of Phase Six, it’s understandable that it’s starting small before setting the stage for grander narratives in later installments, such as the anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday”.

Despite that, “First Steps” managed to elevate its somewhat formulaic elements through its respectable script and thorough understanding of its characters.  The themes of family and determination are suitably woven into the narrative, highlighting the characters’ personalities and roles within the team.  Reed Richards faces the challenge of balancing his scientific mindset with his becoming a father, while Sue Storm grapples with a decision that challenges people’s trust in the team.  Additionally, Johnny Storm has an arc that reveals a more human side than what we usually see in other adaptations, particularly in his confrontation with the Silver Surfer.  Ben also had a subplot of his own regarding him and his love interest, Rachel Rozman (Lyonne).  Unfortunately, it was easily overshadowed by its “saving the world” storyline, leaving the emotional impact of Ben’s transformation feeling undercooked.  While this arc could have deepened the film’s exploration of love beyond appearances, it also risked extending the film’s length, potentially disrupting the balance between storytelling and sci-fi spectacle.  Despite not fully capitalizing on some of its ambitious elements, the script mostly succeeded in portraying a “Fantastic Four” team bonded by heartfelt familial connections amid its “saving the world from impending doom” trope.

Matt Shakman has a good track record in directing numerous television episodes.  However, it was his work on “WandaVision”, another entry in the MCU, that truly caught my attention regarding his direction.  Given that this is his second feature directorial debut and his second time directing for the MCU, the decision to have Shakman helm “The Fantastic Four” might have seemed like a gamble for the studio at first.  However, after revisiting my experience with his creative decision in “WandaVision”, I found myself fully supportive of this choice.  Shakman’s ability to pay homage to television sitcoms from each decade in “WandaVision" demonstrated his versatility and creativity in those nods and tropes.  This made him an ideal candidate to bring “The Fantastic Four” to life, particularly in capturing the film’s retro-futuristic culture and subtle nods to 1960s media.  Unsurprisingly, Shakman’s vision met my expectations, as the film beautifully reflected its traditional retro appeal through stunning production designs and aesthetics, providing audiences with a nostalgic, vibrant, and contained Earth that isn’t without its visual wonder and heart.  My only issue with his direction was the film’s pacing, which seemed rushed due to editing choices that detracted from the storytelling’s potential to explore specific plot elements more.  Besides that, Shakman certainly has promise in his career as a film director beyond his work on television, even if the outcome may not have reached the heights of being truly “fantastic”.   

In terms of the visual effects, “First Steps” is another visual triumph, particularly in its depiction of space sequences, which are most prominent during the Fantastic Four’s first encounter with Galactus.  The combination of Jess Hall’s refreshingly immersive cinematography and Shakman’s visionary direction resulted in a galactic spectacle that captivates with its vastness and beauty.  The scene where the team narrowly escapes the Silver Surfer is one of the film’s most impressive moments, showcasing its ability to blend tension with breathtaking visuals and sci-fi action.  Of course, the visual effects team also gets extra credit for their work on Galactus, whose presence is both awe-inspiring and intimidating.  His design stays true to the comic origins, and the sheer scale of his character when he arrives on Earth is nothing short of monumental.  No joke.  This guy is ginormous with a capital G.  Some of the visuals looked a tad off occasionally, especially the baby, which is usually a common flaw for the MCU’s recent entries.  Thankfully, they’re easily overshadowed by the ones that beautifully capture the scope of space, the Fantastic Four’s abilities, and even a giant planet-eating god.  But what about the score by Michael Giacchino, which has been one of the film’s standouts regarding the theme music?  Well, I can admittedly say that Michael Giacchino has once again impressed me with his 60s-infused music and orchestral energy.  Giacchino’s music for “The Fantastic Four” is understandably one of the film’s highlights, further solidifying his reputation for creating memorable and evocative film scores.

The main cast portraying the Fantastic Four certainly had shoes to fill, especially given the nostalgic fondness many fans hold for the actors from the 2005 iteration and its follow-up.  Obviously, Pedro Pascal was the main draw, considering the number of projects he’s in this year, ensuring that we don’t forget his face whenever he’s on screen.  While the other actors may not have shared the same level of immediate recognition, two have garnered attention through notable television roles, like Joseph Quinn from “Stranger Things”.  Fortunately, they each provided a shining moment or two through their performances to create the familial dynamic essential to the superhero team’s identity.  Pascal was commendable in embodying Reed’s intellectual prowess in his performance, although there were specific occasions where his line delivery fell short of providing an emotional impact.  Despite that, Pascal’s performance captured the essence of Reed’s character quite well.  Vanessa Kirby shone as Sue Storm, infusing her role with both nurturing strength and subtle emotion.  Her portrayal vividly highlighted Sue’s motherly side and unwavering determination to protect her loved ones.  Kirby has been making a solid impression through her previous roles, but her performance as Sue may just be one of her finest to date.  

Joseph Quinn stood out as the cast’s highlight, bringing a fresh and charismatic energy to the role of Johnny Storm.  His amusing appeal lit up the screen whenever he appeared, earning genuine laughter without resorting to forced comedy.  I also enjoyed Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s take on The Thing, blending toughness with a more tender-hearted demeanor, which was accompanied by his charismatic chemistry with Quinn’s Johnny.  Although the subplot involving Ben and Rachel could have been more developed, Moss-Bachrach provided enough charm in his motion-capture performance to clobber my low expectations.  Julia Garner also had her share of moments regarding her portrayal of the Silver Surfer, including a tragic backstory that envisioned her character as more than just an obedient messenger.  Finally, we have Ralph Ineson, who portrays the eternally hungry god who eats planets 24/7.  Undoubtedly, Ineson is a good actor, based on my experiences with his previous roles.  His portrayal as Galactus is no different, as he took full advantage of the character’s larger-than-life scale and rich background.  Ralph Ineson effectively channeled his vocal prowess to convey Galactus’s god-like exterior and imposing nature, providing us with an appropriately accurate Marvel villain that comic book fans will get behind instead of a plain old space cloud.

Overall, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” offers a refreshingly engaging and visually retro interpretation of Marvel’s First Family that easily clobbers the previous film adaptations.  As expected, it follows the familiar superhero trope of “saving the world from impending doom”, yet it doesn’t fully capitalize on some of its bold opportunities.  Specific plot points, such as Ben’s romantic interest, felt a bit rushed, and the genre formula can be a bit tame in its direction and script.  However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the film managed to inject sci-fi fun and heartfelt charm into its familiarity and visual appeal, giving the Fantastic Four the proper cinematic treatment they deserve.  The main cast portraying the team was quite decent, with Joseph Quinn being the standout.  Additionally, the retro-futuristic aesthetics were infused with imagination and allure, thanks to Matt Shakman’s direction and the film’s production design.  The result may not be as fantastic as the title suggests, but it shows promise that the superhero family is in good hands, especially with their upcoming appearance in “Avengers: Doomsday” next year.  Fans of the Fantastic Four, whether from comics or films, will likely find this latest reboot more enjoyable than the previous cinematic adaptations.

B-