Film Review: 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Is The Best Fantastic Four Movie We've Ever Had
In 1961, a writer named Stanley Lieber was tasked by his editor to create a comic book about a team of superheroes that could compete with the likes of Detective Comics’ Justice League of America, which was killing everyone in sales around this time. Finding the medium to be increasingly restrictive, Lieber felt that he needed to create characters that were not just their powers, but actual flesh and blood humans with insecurities, problems, and feelings just like the rest of us. They needed to be relatable. Teaming up with penciler Jack Kirby, the duo created a group of four unique superbeings that possessed those exact capabilities - The Fantastic Four. Marvel Comics was born. Stanley Lieber became Stan Lee. You know the rest.
For decades, Marvel’s First Family - Reed Richards, Sue and Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm - have been the subject of numerous film adaptations, dating back to the floptacular Roger Corman-produced effort. Two films from director Tim Story followed, along with an attempted reboot of the series in 2015 by Josh Trank. There were glimmers of hope in some of these films, while others flamed out with not a bang, but a whimper. The reasons why can be debated in another forum. Fantastic Four: First Steps finally gives fans of the superhero family - and the general moviegoing audience - a worthy film. It is inspired, captivating, visually stunning, and it is the film I’ve waited nearly two decades to see.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, yet anyone can jump in without worrying that they’re going to miss something important that would have needed to see in a film released a decade prior. It was established in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness that there is indeed a multiverse, and Marvel is now playing outside of its Main Universe - Earth 616. These stories will eventually be tied together in the upcoming Avengers films over the next two years, but for now, rest easy. You don’t need to go into Fantastic Four needing to do homework.
In fact, you really don’t have to do any homework. The movie doesn’t waste time retelling the origin story of Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), The Invisible Girl (Vanessa Kirby), The Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), or The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) - in about five minutes, the entire story is recapped, and we are thrust into their retro-futuristic world, the kind of setting that Walt Disney must have wished he could have modeled Tomorrowland after in 1955. The film never panders to its audience - you pick up on the characters, their powers, and their idiosyncrasies within minutes, with dialogue that doesn’t make you roll your eyes. Take out all of the superhero action, and you’d want to spend your time watching these people interact with one another.
I will try to reveal the most basic details of the plot without giving more than necessary away, for the spoiler-conscious. The Silver Surfer (Shalla-Bal, played by Julia Garner) arrives on Earth to let all citizens know that their days are numbered; the planet-devouring being known as Galactus has picked their world for consumption. Naturally, the Fantastic Four suit up to try and defeat Galactus. Things don’t go according to plan. With their days numbered, they must figure out how to defeat Galactus and save the Earth.
It’s a simple enough premise, but there is so much done well in First Steps that takes it from being a good popcorn movie to a film that will rank among the top echelon of Marvel’s filmography. The interaction between characters is outstanding and it’s no surprise to me that this is the case - the director here is Matt Shakman, who in addition to directing the pitch-perfect WandaVision several years ago, has cut his teeth for decades directing television shows like It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. His episodes are some of my favorites in the series, and he has an incredible capability for working with ensembles and knowing how to make each person stand out.
Marvel has been the subject of criticism over the years for delivering subpar and rushed visual effects in films post-Avengers Endgame, and it seems like they’ve been listening to and taking note of this criticism. First Steps delivers some of the best visual effects work I’ve seen in a superhero film in a very, very long time.
The final thing I will note here is Galactus (portrayed by the menacingly voiced Ralph Ineson). In an earlier Fantastic Four movie, the Planet Eater was an amorphous cloud. His presence never felt that threatening. In this film, we see Galactus destroy a planet. He feels like a terrifying presence, and we are given a real threat that our team of spandex-wearing heroes has to defeat.
I left this film elated. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has felt like it’s lacked a semblance of direction for quite some time, despite a few wins (Deadpool and Wolverine, Guardians Vol. 3). Earlier this year, it felt like the ship was beginning to right its course with Thunderbolts. With First Steps, we’re getting back to the quality that the Marvel Cinematic Universe became synonymous with in the 2010s: fun movies with interesting characters that can stand alone, yet they all thread themselves together as part of a bigger universe.
I have to say it. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is indeed….you know what, no. I’m not going to say it. Fill in the blank yourself.
Release Date: July 25th, 2025
Rated: PG-13 (for action/violence and some language)
Running Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Screenplay by: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer
Story by: Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Kat Wood
Produced by: Kevin Feige
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon-Moss Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson
