The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Film Review

We all know the old adage: the third time’s the charm. But in the case of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the fourth time’s the charm. Indeed, this is Marvel’s fourth attempt at bringing their First Family to the silver screen, after many failed attempts to successfully do so (namely 2015’s Fantastic Four, oftentimes referred to as Fant4stic).

Not only is First Steps the best Fantastic Four film by a long shot, but it’s also the best Marvel movie we’ve had in years. Between this and Thunderbolts*, it truly feels like the MCU is returning to its glory days that so many fans have been waiting years and years for. And much like Superman earlier this month, it’s nice to see that comic book films this year are finally embracing the comic book aspect, as both that film as this one feel like comic books brought to life.

In the grand scheme of the MCU, this film doesn’t just take its place — it blazes its own cosmic trail. Director Matt Shakman delivers a triumphant, exhilarating, and deeply human take on Marvel’s First Family, offering a fresh origin story that feels both timeless and urgently new. With a strong ensemble cast, visionary design, and genuinely heartfelt stakes, First Steps emerges as a soaring cosmic adventure grounded in love, family, and sacrifice.

Set in Earth-828’s 1960s-inspired retro-futurism, First Steps distinguishes itself aesthetically and thematically from its MCU siblings. From the opening frames, there’s an intentional charm and visual boldness — think Tomorrowland meets 2001: A Space Odyssey — that gives the film its own identity. Production designer Kasra Farahani and Cinematographer Jess Hall craft a sleek, colorful, and slightly surreal world that captures the wonder of early space-age optimism while grounding it in a recognizable emotional reality. This is a film that feels like a Silver Age comic come to life — stylized but never artificial.

Matt Shakman, best known for WandaVision, brings his keen understanding of tone, character, and genre-blending. He balances humor, drama, spectacle, and even existential dread with remarkable precision. It’s not just another superhero film — it’s a familial epic with cosmic consequences. It’s deeply embedded in the MCU’s DNA while simultaneously functioning as its own complete narrative. That rare feat sets First Steps apart.

Casting the Fantastic Four has long been a challenge for filmmakers, but here, every choice is pitch-perfect. Pedro Pascal brings an empathetic, cerebral gravitas to Reed Richards — a man as burdened by his intellect as he is driven by his hope. Reed is far from the cold, emotionless genius he’s often portrayed as; Pascal infuses him with warmth, humanity, and moral conflict.

But the heart and soul of the film belongs to Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. Kirby delivers a stunning performance — fierce, vulnerable, maternal, and commanding — that easily places her among the MCU’s best characters to date. Sue is not merely “the wife” or “the team’s emotional anchor.” She is the team. Her arc — from protector to hero to mother to savior — is awe-inspiring. Her quiet strength and explosive power are handled with reverence and nuance, making her one of the most memorable MCU leads in recent memory.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm offers a soulful and bruised performance that never loses its charm. His Thing is the most human version yet — deeply loyal, dryly funny, and surprisingly emotional. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm brings manic energy and cocky wit, but he’s also given meaningful growth, especially as the story leans into themes of family legacy and sacrifice.

And then there’s Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer. A revelation. Her portrayal is ethereal, tragic, and quietly powerful. Garner’s eyes do much of the acting — sorrow, fury, doubt, and a glimmer of hope — and she elevates the Silver Surfer mythos with poignant complexity. Shalla-Bal and Sue are easily the film’s standouts — two women of immense power, heart, and internal conflict, united by their determination to protect what matters most.

Ralph Ineson’s Galactus, meanwhile, is a towering and ominous presence. His deep, gravelly voice resonates with cosmic terror, and though he remains largely inscrutable, his motivations and threat level feel appropriately apocalyptic. Galactus is no longer just a force of nature — he’s a judge, an ancient entity with terrifying sentience.

The plot, while rooted in spectacle and MCU lore, is refreshingly character-driven. Yes, the universe is at stake, but it’s the stakes within the family — the impending birth of Reed and Sue’s child, the conflicting responsibilities of heroism and parenthood, the bonds of brotherhood between Johnny and Ben — that give the film its emotional heft.

Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer’s screenplay strikes a careful balance between high-concept science fiction and intimate personal drama. The writing treats its audience with respect, allowing its characters space to feel and falter. The film’s pacing is deliberate yet constantly engaging, moving from cosmic phenomenon to emotional revelation with clarity and momentum.

There are big ideas at play: What does it mean to be a protector? Is sacrifice ever justifiable? Can you reason with a force that sees humanity as insignificant? Yet the answers aren’t simply handed over — they emerge through character choices and consequences.

When it comes to the visuals, First Steps is a feast. Truth be told, this is easily the best-looking Marvel movie ever made. The cosmic set-pieces — from the destruction of alien planets to the kaleidoscopic interiors of Galactus’s domain — are breathtaking. Industrial Light & Magic’s visual effects are among the MCU’s best, seamlessly blending retro stylization with modern innovation. The battle in Times Square is a particular highlight, a dazzling combination of emotional tension and visual spectacle that never loses sight of the characters amidst the chaos.

Composer Michael Giacchino’s score soars, blending classic orchestration with cosmic synths to match the film’s retro-futuristic tone.

This isn’t just a retooling of the Fantastic Four — it’s a definitive statement. By placing the story in a different universe (Earth-828) and retro time period, the film gives itself breathing room, both narratively and stylistically. Yet it still ties into the greater MCU, especially with a chilling mid-credits tease involving a green-cloaked visitor that long-time fans will immediately recognize.

But more importantly, First Steps honors what the Fantastic Four were always meant to be — not just superheroes, but explorers, family, and torchbearers of scientific wonder. It brings humanity back to the mythos without losing the grandeur.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is an emotionally rich, visually stunning, and thematically resonant superhero story that revives Marvel’s First Family with intelligence, heart, and imagination. Matt Shakman and his talented cast and crew have crafted an origin tale that doesn’t feel like a retread, but rather a necessary evolution — one that stands tall alongside the best of the MCU.

For longtime fans, it’s a dream realized. For newcomers, it’s the perfect gateway. But for everyone, it’s a reminder that even in the face of galactic annihilation, the greatest power in the universe is family.