Movie Review: ‘The Fantastic 4: First Steps’

08/14/2025 by Corrye Van Caeseele-Cook

Plot: Set on Earth-828 in a retro-futuristic 1960s America, Marvel finally welcomes its “First Family” into the MCU. Set four years into their journey as Earth’s only super-powered protectors, Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/The Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) have met and conquered every conceivable threat. Yet when a new menace in the form of the world eating Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald Shalla-Bal/The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) set their sights on Earth, the Fantastic 4 will have to use all their skills to stop them. But could the price for safety come at too high a personal a cost?

Review: It’s been a long road for Marvel’s “First Family” to join the MCU. Before the 2025 iteration, we’ve had no less that four films featuring our intrepid heroes. That includes an unreleased version from the 1990s made solely so that Constantin Film president Bernd Eichinger could retain the film rights. Personally I’ve never been a fan of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s creation. I always thought the characters were a little too goofy. With audiences gravitating toward more grounded comic book films over the last 20 years, it’s little wonder the foursome had trouble finding purchase. Even though outrageous superhero groups like the Guardians of the Galaxy blended perfectly into the MCU aesthetic I, like many, questioned whether Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm, and The Thing actually had a place in the MCU.

I’m overjoyed to report that not only do the Fantastic 4 have a place, they have a Baxter Building sized residence in this cinematic universe. Vibrant, colorful, and brimming with vitality and heart, director Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic 4: First Steps proves to be the creative shot in the arm the MCU needed. Anchored by excellent performances from it’s four main stars and a terrifying villain in Ineson’s Galactus, the “First Family’s” first foray into the MCU shines as the best post-Endgame film this side of Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Although this is only director Matt Shakman’s second feature film, he’s previously cut his teeth on shows like Wandavision, Game of Thrones, and The Great. While Shakman clearly has an eye for visual spectacle, he manages to do something I’ve been desperate for in Marvel phases four and five. Namely, he allows The Fantastic Four: First Steps to focus almost exclusively on its own story. Too often in the last half decade, it feels like the MCU concentrates their energy on setting up the next feature. Other than a mid-credits scene you won’t want to miss, First Steps eschews this tendency. Consequently, I was much more invested in the story. Considering the screenplay consists of four writers (usually a recipe for disaster) I was astounded at how polished and nuanced First Steps actually was. Additionally, at just under two hours with credits, Shakman’s pacing proves to be pitch perfect.

Despite how spectacular the story might be, First Steps would fall flat on its face if the primary protagonists didn’t possess great chemistry. Thankfully, Pascal, Kirby, Quinn, and Moss-Bachrach absolutely do. I know anyone mentioning “family” in a film often brings to mind Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto in the Fast and Furious films, but that’s exactly what these characters are. I was delighted to discover what a character driven film The Fantastic Four: First Steps actually was. Each of our heroes deals with their own insecurities and responsibilities. Sue struggles with being everything to everyone, whether that’s the best superhero, the best diplomat, the best wife, or the best mother. Ben contends with how disfigured his power has made him despite being loved by the populace. Johnny, unironically deals with the curse of beauty in that his intelligence and value is often overlooked because he’s the “pretty boy” of the group. Yet the one that struck me the most was Mr. Fantastic’s war with anxiety and perfectionism. He’s a man that’s constantly anticipating and thinking about the worst possible scenarios and how to prepare for them. This often comes at a cost to his own well being and how that negatively impacts his relationships. Throw a new baby into the mix and it becomes exponentially worse. As someone whose dealt with anxiety issues for decades I really related to his plight. Yet it’s important to note that First Steps possesses a light heartedness and humor that compliments rather than undercuts its serious themes.

However, you can’t have a great cast of heroes without a solid villain to pit them against. Thankfully, veteran actor Ralph Ineson delivers as the terrifying Galactus. Driven by an insatiable desire to feed on planets, his plight has driven all vestiges of empathy or compassion from his soul. He’s truly terrifying and outside of Thanos, maybe Marvel’s best villain to date. If anything I wanted more of him, but as my podcast partner Luke is fond of saying, “it’s a real estate thing.” Hopefully this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the planet eater. Julia Garner also shines as Galactus’s herald Shalla-Ball. She hides her own inner torment and Shalla-Ball’s relationship with Johnny proves one of the most pivotal and profound of the entire film. Also I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Paul Walter Hauser’s scene stealing and hilarious turn as Harvey Elder/Mole Man. He’s more like a likeable labor union leader than a villain. Hauser is quickly becoming the special seasoning in movies. Whenever he shows up he just makes things better.

The visuals in First Steps are stunning even by Marvel standards. Aside from a few wonky shots with Mr. Fantastic, I adored the retro-futuristic motif. I particularly enjoyed the quartet’s sojourn into space to learn more about Galactus. It felt equal parts Lost In Space and Interstellar from a visual standpoint. There’s even a moment I’m positive was inspired by Back to the Future. The effects are anchored by some truly inspired camerawork from DP Jess Hall and complimented by a dynamic and playful score from Michael Giacchino. It’s the polar opposite of his The Batman score in the best way possible.

While The Fantastic Four: First Steps might not be the box office juggernaut Disney was hoping for, it nevertheless delivers when it comes to story, characters, and spectacle.

My rating system:

1 God Awful Blind Yourself With Acid Bad

2 Straight Garbage

3 Bad

4 Sub Par

5 Average

6 Ok

7 Good

8 Great

9 Excellent

10 A Must See

Masterpiece