The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) | Film Review

Let’s get one thing straight off the top, The Fantastic Four: First Steps feels like the first time Marvel’s “First Family” has actually been treated with the reverence and style they deserve. After years of cinematic misfires, this film doesn’t just course-correct, it launches the franchise with a confident stride that feels both classic and refreshingly new.

Set in Earth-828 (not the mainline MCU timeline), this version of the Fantastic Four lives in a vibrant, retro-futuristic world that looks like The Jetsons set up shop in 1960s New York. From the architecture to the cars to the gadgets and wardrobe, everything feels familiar but slightly off — in the best possible way. It’s nostalgic without being kitschy, stylish without trying too hard. Think Mad Men meets sci-fi pulp covers from the Atomic Age.

The story wastes no time on giving us their origin with a clever tool to remind us of what we already know and then we’re off. The threat? A universe-devouring entity from before time itself: Galactus. And just ahead of him? The Silver Surfer, his enigmatic herald. The setup could have easily leaned into the abstract, but instead, the film grounds it with emotional stakes, clever visuals, and an IMAX 3D experience that genuinely feels like its own character in the story. The scale of Galactus is jaw-dropping. At one point, there’s a sequence where the team is positioned in a way that visually communicates just how minuscule they are and how great the stakes are.

Speaking of brilliant, this cast. Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards with a calm authority that finally makes sense for the world’s smartest man. Vanessa Kirby is grounded and compassionate as Sue Storm, anchoring the team emotionally. Ebon Moss-Bachrach brings unexpected charm and humanity to Ben Grimm and his dynamic with Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm is a highlight. Rather than the hot-headed jerk we’ve seen in past versions, Johnny here feels like Ben’s witty sparring partner and they both share that “fun uncle energy”. Both he and Ben bring a warm, familial vibe that helps carry the film’s tone without dipping too far into melodrama or slapstick.

Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is handled with unexpected finesse and cosmic eeriness which is high-praise, especially when you’re dealing with one of the most difficult baddies to pull off. His presence is felt long before he fully arrives, and when he does, the visual storytelling truly earns its IMAX upcharge. Julia Garner’s role as Shalla-Bal is intriguing, though the film wisely doesn’t overplay her arc… likely saving more for what’s to come?

The score? Top-tier. Honestly, one of the best I’ve heard in the MCU so far. It pulses, it soars, and it actually adds to scenes rather than just filling the background. Combined with the jaw-dropping production and costume design, this film might earn Marvel Studios a few craft-category Oscar nods. For reals, the art department crushed it on this one.

There are plenty of subtle nods to the comics throughout, but they’re tucked in with just the right balance to please longtime fans without alienating casual viewers. That’s not easy to do. The emotional beats are also handled with restraint. Rather than trying to tug at your heartstrings or overload you with quippy humor, the film focuses on showcasing the familial bond — one that feels earned rather than written in. By the end, you walk away with something that feels satisfying and promising.

Director Matt Shakman’s (WandaVision) The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t try to be a game-changing, universe-resetting mega-event. It’s focused. It’s confident. And more than anything, it feels like the beginning of something really special. This is Marvel choosing quality over quantity, and it shows. If this is truly the “first step” for the Fantastic Four in the MCU, it’s a bold, stylish, and emotionally resonant one. And for once, it actually feels like they got it right.