Original caricature by Jeff York of the main cast of THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (copyright 2025).
Just when filmgoers started to wonder whether the Marvel Cinematic Universe could find its full footing again after a range of missteps from dreadful film bombs like QUANTUMANIA and MADAME WEB to an oversaturation of ho-hum streaming TV, along comes their third reboot of The Fantastic Four to renew one’s faith. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is fittingly titled as it shows the MCU taking first steps to course correct and, quite simply, the results are fantastic. The third time’s the charm for this IP as director Matt Shakman and his five screenwriters tell a sharp story, employ a cast that gels well together, and strike an earnest tone throughout that makes the film fun yet substantial.
I was smiling from the moment the film began because it’s so savvy and moves with great confidence. The film doesn’t belabor its exposition either as it quickly tells us how the four astronauts achieved their superpowers in space via a streamlined TV talk show “package” introduced by the program’s host Ted Gilbert (Mark Gatiss). The genial emcee then goes on to explain how the four returned to Earth as superhero celebrities as the movie gets down to brass tacks and starts up its main plot. All within minutes.
Choosing to do this entry as a period piece during the 1960s was a wise move too as it allows a unique look with its gadgets, gizmos, and flying cars separating itself from modern fare. The film has a vibe similar to the animated series THE JETSONS that ran in the early part of that decade. Against a less techno-savvy backdrop as the 60s, scientist Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) is able to come across as a crackerjack inventor without having to compete with the Gates and Jobs types. The Sixties also prevents these heroes from having to compete with the overcrowded Avengers of today as well. True, the Four will join them for a new adventure in the near future, but for right now, this quartet stands alone and stands tall.
Despite being played by the “Internet Daddy,” Pascal brings a delightful earnestness to his patriarch role of Reed. He infuses the character with nerdy insecurities, far from the more arrogant takes on the role by predecessors Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is much better than Jessica Alba and Kate Mara were in their incarnations as well. Kirby gives the role a knowing maturity, with a sly sparkle present in her eyes at all times. The love story between Sue and Reed also excels with this duo as they have great chemistry and you can sense their affection for each other as actors and characters. That’s especially important as their couple in this film are expecting a baby. (Yep, those “first steps” in the title.)
Ben Grimm is more likable here as well, very down-to-earth and relatable despite his granite-like physique. Ebon Ross-Bachrach’s subtler take eschews gravel in his voice, and while he still cuts a tragic figure as he dresses in street clothes to go out and pass for a regular Joe, he is not pathetic, just working his way through significant changes. It helps too that his ‘family’ here treats him so warmly. His banter with both Johnny (Joseph Quinn) and H.E.R.B.I.E., the science servant robot that Reed has invented, keeps Ben feeling less the outsized outsider as well.
Quinn’s Johnny is still quippy and cocky, though he’s more boyish than Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan were in their films. And the British actor does a sharp American accent too. The quartet feels very connected here with plenty of banter and time shown together. That connection helps demonstrably when they get called into duty to save the planet from a godlike marauder named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) who wants to satiate his galaxy-sized appetite by gobbling up the planet.
His envoy is Shalla-Bal, AKA the Silver Surfer, and as played by Julia Garner she’s a formidable foil to the four all on her own. And when the Fantastic Four venture into space to try and negotiate a peace deal with her and Galactus, the stakes feel heavy. They’re up against a behemoth, on his territory, and our heroes are rendered all the more vulnerable because Sue is just about ready to have her baby. Do you think she will, right there in the space craft? (Ahem, does Reed know how to stretch a coffee break? Of course!) Watching the four multi-task in space, from fighting to delivering a tot, makes for the best set-piece in the movie and one of the better extended action sequences on film this year.
Saying anything more about the intense, rollicking plot would give away too many of the delights and surprises in store for audiences. Suffice it to say that it’s compelling world-building made all the more exciting by its retro vibe from composer Michael Giacchino to the production design by Kasra Farahani to the costumes by Alexandra Byrne. Cinematographer Jess Hall gives it all a lived-in look as well. All the actors are enjoyable, with special praise garnered for Garner. She doesn’t let loose with profanity like she did in her Emmy-winning turn in Netflix’s OZARK, but her simmering intensity is on display here even though she’s a shiny, CGI creation.
All in all, THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is a savvy move in the right direction for CEO Kevin Feige and his struggling MCU. This popcorn flick is not only witty, warm, and wise, but it maintains its breezy tone even with very intimidating villains. I kept waiting for the movie to stumble, but it never did, and I walked out feeling almost giddy. For me, the whole thing wasn’t just fantastic, but it serves as a phenomenal return to making the MCU must-see cinema once again.
