Fantastic Four: First Steps Thoughts/Review - A fantastic time
Fantastic Four: First Steps is my superhero movie of the summer! After more than 20 years of less-than-fantastic attempts, Marvel’s First Family finally gets the love they deserve. This film is absolutely worth watching.
Directed by Matt Shakman—who previously brought us WandaVision—this entry stands out as one of the most original and uniquely styled films in the MCU. Set on Earth-828, the retro-inspired universe is a visual treat. From the cars and buildings to the fashion and opening TV sequence, the world feels fresh yet nostalgic. The aesthetic is, simply put, fantastic.
Spoilers Ahead
Summarizing their origin story in the opening minutes and putting us 4 years into their superhero life - Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach all deliver strong performances, each leaving their mark. Their portrayals felt true to the characters in both tone and spirit.
The family dynamics were especially well done. Watching Reed and Sue’s lives change drastically with the pregnancy and birth of their first child was the emotional highlight for me. Their relationship felt authentic—balancing love, tension, and the immense pressure of parenthood with the fate of the world at stake. You can truly understand their struggle as protectors and parents.
Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben felt like a real family, and it was a beautiful thing to watch. Sue’s emergence as a fiercely protective mother was powerful and intense. Johnny may be the most immature of the group, but he ends up solving a critical language puzzle that essentially saves the planet. Without him, their world might not have survived.
The introduction of Shalla-Bal, aka the Silver Surfer, was also a standout. Her screen time was limited, but she left an impression. The scene where the family flees from Galactus while being pursued by the Silver Surfer was tense and thrilling.
I cant forget to mention the suits! They’re simple, elegant, and stylish. Honestly, more superheroes should have costume designers this good.
That said, the movie isn’t without flaws. Some parts of the script felt thin. I wanted more explanation: Why was this version of Earth marked for destruction? Why is Galactus so desperately hungry? And why is their child the key to saving the planet? These felt like underdeveloped plot points that could’ve used more attention. Sure, comics fill in the blanks, but for casual viewers, those elements needed more clarity.
Still, there were several moments where I was genuinely on the edge of my seat—something I haven’t felt in a Marvel movie in a long time. The pacing and tension worked really well in key scenes.
The most underwhelming part for me was Galactus. Marvel nailed the scale and threat of his arrival, but his third-act appearance felt rushed and lacked emotional weight. It starts off epic, with him stomping through New York, but quickly becomes repetitive. It unfortunately suffers from Marvel’s usual third-act battle fatigue.
I was also left confused by Ben Grimm’s unfinished love story. It felt like it was building toward something meaningful, but never quite landed. A bit more closure or intention would’ve been nice to see.
Honestly, the Fantastic Four would be perfect for a Disney+ series. The team dynamic, science-fiction adventures, and family drama could really shine in an episodic format. Give me an episode with Reed on a bizarre science quest and another with Ben and Johnny fighting aliens. The possibilities are endless—however, Marvel’s VFX budget is not.
With Thunderbolts* and now Fantastic Four: First Steps, it finally feels like Marvel is finding its footing again. I had a few criticisms, but this is still a top-tier MCU film for me. I truly hope we get more of this fantastic family soon.