THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (2025) Review

Review

It’s hard to imagine but in the 64 years since their introduction the Fantastic Four has only appeared on the big screen three times. After multiple false starts Marvel’s First Family has finally returned home to Marvel Studios. Now, under the watchful eye of WandaVision director Matt Shakman the family is joining the MCU in one of its most stylish and unique films to-date. Arriving in cinemas today, we may finally be witnessing the beginning of Marvel’s second golden era.

First set to hit cinemas in 1994, the team’s big screen debut remains unreleased to this day. Finally making their debut in 2005 in a film directed by Tim Story, this first attempt at big screen fame failed with 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer. They would return to cinemas in 2017 with Chronicle director Josh Trank at the helm. But his darker, edgier and entirely messier Fant4stic became known more for its faults than its successes. Seemingly closing the door on future adventures. Fast forward almost another decade and Shakman, along with screenwriters Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan And Ian Springer are giving the team a theatrical upgrade.

The film opens on Earth 828 where the Fantastic Four are the only known heroes. Having reached celebrity status Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are a family first and heroes second. We’re expeditiously brought in to their world via an appearance on talk show The Ted Gilbert Show. It’s a brilliant callback to the team’s 1990s cartoon series and just one example of how Shakman honours the legacy of the Fantastic Four. In mere minutes Shakman negates the need for a lengthy origin story. Replacing it with a brisk montage packed with namedrop after namedrop and the odd cool cameo. It also neatly sets the tone of the film which finds its own unique rhythm which builds on Marvel’s traditional quippy nature.

A seismic status quo shift is introduced within minutes when it’s revealed that Sue is pregnant. An element of the comics which has yet to be explored in live-action. It roots the film in a reality which feels far removed from the comic book action which eats up the second half of the film. The raw human emotion in which Shakman roots the film feels incredibly authentic. It creates a foundation on which Marvel Studios is able to build one of its most credible human stories so far. Reaching far beyond the depths of films like Endgame and bringing a real family dynamic to the screen. The bond between the characters is as real as any we’ve ever seen in a comic book movie. In part due to the chemistry the cast has built off-screen. But thanks to a dynamically written script the Fantastic Four jumps from page to screen without skipping a beat.

The idea of family, particularly the maternal instincts of Sue, underpin the entire narrative of the film. When Silver Surfer Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner) descends in to retro 1960’s New York it heralds the arrival of a legendary Marvel Comics villain, Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson). Galactus threatens to devour the entire of Earth 828 starting a doomsday countdown which looms over the entire rest of the film’s brisk but effective 1 hour 54 minute runtime. An olive brand from the gargantuan villain could save billions of lives. But would require a devastating surrender for the titular team.

Having proven himself more than capable with WandaVision, Shakman is able to balance audience expectation with real stakes. The first half of the film hangs itself on an unwavering focus on the team. Only pulling back in the second half as the threat of Galactus lands on Earth’s doorstep. The pacing allows plenty of time to soak up what is easily the most stylish film the MCU has ever produced. The period setting on the alternate Earth affords the production team the chance to run wild. Every aspect of the world is meticulously designed from the ground up. Every building, every piece of technology, even the costume design takes cues from the 1960’s. But all of that is then given a futuristic twist which makes the film feel like a Jetsons cartoon brought to life. We spend little more than an hour on this world before it’s almost destroyed and yet our connection to it is powerful thanks to such a strong production.

There is a point during the huge act three battle that First Steps veers back towards more traditional comic book movie mayhem. The need to descend in to a crescendo of explosions and super powers is a necessary evil. It wouldn’t be a comic book movie without them. Where many a film in this genre has spiralled in to visual effects chaos, Shakman does at least maintain enough control on the wheel to ground these moments in practical filmmaking. Much of the visual spectacle is reserved for seeing Reed stretch to near-breaking point or Sue summoning every fibre of her power to protect Franklin. Even more incredible is how a practical Galactus suit was built and integrated in to the landscape as this ginormous threatening figure. Though strong these moments do test the visual effects budget of the film and there are some moment marred by odd green screen.

Undoubtedly the standout for anyone watching will be the cast. Each of the four leads is brilliantly cast. Pascal and Kirby could easily be a real married couple. The honesty and ease with which they settle in to playing the mum and dad, even to Johnny and Ben, is astounding really. This feels like their 10th film together rather than their first. Whilst Quinn brings more depth to Johnny than has ever been explored before. Finally he’s more than just a caricature dude which should please fans of the source material. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, hiding under a mass of visual effects as The Thing, is also a remarkable piece of casting. The subtlety and sincerity which he brings to the role is perfect for Ben’s gentle giant nature. The film functions best when the four are sharing the screen. In the moments it chooses to separate them it dulls a little of that magic.

Ineson manages to define Galactus’ huge presence with a voice which carries real weight. Having been so poorly brought to the screen in Rise of the Silver Surfer, this Galactus is far more comic accurate. But the expense of realising his full potential does seem to relegate the villain to sparse screen time across the film. Though this is at least made up for by the tension his looming presence gives to the overall narrative. It’s Garner who is least well utilised amongst this fantastic cast. Though reshoots were used to add context and backstory for Shalla-Bal, there’s a strong sense that her character has been lost amongst the film’s editing process. Buried amongst the narrative is a complex character forced in to servitude to Galactus. But the storyline is barely explored and its conclusion overly rushed during the third act.

Drafting in composer Michael Giacchino is always a win for a comic book movie. His new Fantastic Four theme has been living rent free in my head for weeks now. In the film itself his score is glorious in its ability to heighten any moment whether it be through tension or strong emotion. He rides a wave of comic book action, sci-fi exploration and that complex family dynamic with a score that is as versatile as it is powerful. It’s certainly one of Marvel’s most standout scores to-date.

Shrugging off the need for connective tissue, The Fantastic Four: First Steps succeeds by not needing to rely on what came before. Whilst its mid-credit scene ties to Avengers: Doomsday, it’s the only time the film reaches out to the franchise for congruity. In that respect this first film in Phase 6 of the MCU could be perceived as the perfect jumping on point for new viewers. Offering a new path in to the sprawling world ahead of a very ambitious year in 2026.

Verdict

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Marvel Studios’ most stylish and original movie to-date. The production design is glorious thanks to a strong directorial vision from Matt Shakman. The family dynamic translates well thanks to genuine cast chemistry to create something truly unique for the franchise.

⭐⭐⭐⭐