‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Review: Marvel’s First Family Soars with Heart and Style

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I was incredibly excited to watch ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps,’ Marvel’s ambitious attempt to introduce its original superhero team to the MCU. Featuring a strong cast, a unique storytelling style, and a lively, vintage look, I was really hoping this film would finally do justice to Marvel’s First Family. After many previous, uneven efforts to portray these iconic characters successfully in movies, I went in wanting a film that both respected their history and offered something new and exciting.

The story immediately takes us to a stunning, alternate version of Earth – designated Earth-828 – which looks like a 1960s science fiction fantasy, complete with shiny chrome spaceships and cities painted in soft pastel colors. We’re introduced to Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, but not as newcomers; they’re already experienced heroes facing a massive danger: Galactus, a cosmic being who devours planets, and his mysterious assistant, the Silver Surfer. The film smartly avoids retelling the usual story of how they gained their powers, and instead focuses on the strong bond within the team and their incredibly important mission to save Earth. The setting feels separate from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, giving the movie a unique and self-contained feel that’s both welcome and simple to understand, even if you’re not familiar with every Marvel film and show.

For me, the cast is what truly makes this adventure sing. They don’t just *play* these characters, they inhabit them, bringing so much depth and believable chemistry. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards is fantastic – a brilliant scientist, but wonderfully awkward, and seeing him use his stretching powers in such creative ways – wrapping around bad guys or even making quick bridges – was a real highlight. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is the emotional core of the team, and she portrays it beautifully. Her control over invisibility and force fields is precise and powerful, and there’s one scene where she protects civilians from a collapsing building that really stood out. Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm just *lights up* the screen with his energy and swagger, though I honestly wished we’d seen a little more of his classic one-liners. And Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, The Thing, gives a genuinely heartfelt performance. He manages to balance the character’s gruff humor with the underlying sadness of his condition, although sometimes I felt like his story took a backseat to the more visually spectacular moments. What really sells it is how these characters *feel* like a family – they bicker and tease each other, but their loyalty is unwavering, which makes their fight against impossible odds so much more engaging.

The film is a visual treat, strongly inspired by the dynamic and creative style of Jack Kirby, with a cool, vintage-future vibe. Director Matt Shakman builds a world that feels both familiar and new, ranging from the Fantastic Four’s advanced Baxter Building to the dazzling, alien sights of Galactus’ cosmic realm.

As a huge fan of action flicks, I have to say the action sequences in this movie are incredible – they’re not just explosions, but really creative and visually stunning. Like, seeing Reed Richards stretch into crazy shapes to beat bad guys, or Johnny Storm having a blazing aerial battle? Amazing. And Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer? Wow. Her design is so sleek and reflective, and she brings a really haunting quality to the character, making her internal struggle so much more compelling. Ralph Ineson’s voice as Galactus is *perfect* – seriously menacing and gives the character a real weight. I just wish the story had explored *why* Galactus needs to eat planets a little more. But honestly, Michael Giacchino’s score is the glue that holds it all together. It’s playful, adventurous, and elevates *every* scene, whether it’s a quiet moment between characters or a huge, epic battle. It really makes the movie sing.

However, the movie isn’t perfect. The screenplay, written by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, focuses more on action and family relationships than on comedy, sometimes making the overall mood feel a little too serious. The actors all deliver strong performances, but certain characters – especially Johnny and Ben – don’t have enough opportunities to really show off who they are. The story also loses some momentum in the second half, quickly moving through the increasingly important events involving the universe, which ultimately makes Galactus’ threat seem less impactful.

I caught some early screenings, and the initial feedback pointed to some shaky CGI. Thankfully, the final version is mostly polished, but a few effects – I noticed it particularly with the rocky texture of The Thing – still looked a little unfinished. Honestly, these weren’t dealbreakers and didn’t ruin the movie, but they did hold it back from reaching the very top tier of Marvel’sbest films. It’s good, really good, but not quite perfect.

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is a really exciting and touching reimagining of Marvel’s First Family. It combines amazing visuals, a fantastic cast, and a world that feels incredibly real and unique. This is easily the best movie adaptation of these characters so far, perfectly capturing their sense of adventure, how well they work together, and their emotional core. Although it has a few weak moments, the film establishes a strong base for future installments, and I’m eagerly anticipating where this team’s journey will take them next. I’m already excited!

Score: 8/10

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2025-10-01 20:12