Earth finds itself marked for destruction in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Only the world’s greatest saviors, the Fantastic Four, can protect humanity from annihilation. But how can Reed Richards/ Mister. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/ Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/ Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/ the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) battle the indestructible Shalla-Bal/ Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), herald of the planet-eater, Galactus (Ralph Ineson)?
The Fantastic Four, beloved by Marvel Comics fans as the first family of superhero comics, is no stranger to the big screen. The quartet first appeared on film in 2005 and 2007, played by Ioan Grufford, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, joined by the late Julian McMahon as Dr Doom. The Latverian leader doesn’t appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but this installment is clearly leading to the introduction of Marvel’s next big bad.
Mild spoilers ahead for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Not that this film is at all set up for Avengers: Doomsday. In fact, The Fantastic Four: First Steps bypasses the team’s origin story, sending them hurtling into their next big adventure—parenthood. Reed and Sue aren’t the only ones excited for the birth of their child. Johnny and Ben are delighted to be uncles. Along with the whole planet. Because that’s how famous the Fantastic Four are. The whole world is involved in everything they do. And the same goes for the team—they regularly work together to protect humanity from enhanced threats and to make the world a better place.
But punching things is only one way to win. What happens when it is their very hearts that are in danger? Because Galactus brings with it more than just the destruction of humanity; it threatens the very family that the Fantastic Four hold dear.
I was surprised at how much The Fantastic Four: First Steps focuses on the family aspect of the team. There isn’t as much action or fighting in this film, which is very unlike Marvel fare, or the latest Superman film, which didn’t know when to stop throwing punches.
The flipside is that the film slows down a fair bit in the middle. There’s a lot of discussion about the philosophy of the team’s actions or inactions, much pondering about the science that can, or can’t, save humanity. It can be jarring following a first act that is packed with backstory and movement, and the setting up of character dynamics.
There’s also an unequal distribution of character development in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. With a team of four, some characters will get more of the spotlight than others. But the Thing is practically an afterthought in the film, which is frustrating when he’s played by an emotive actor like Moss-Bachrach. Kirby’s Sue Storm does an excellent job in her role, but the writing limits Sue to being nothing more than a mother trying to protect her child. We get brief glimpses of Sue’s work outside the team, but it’s so brief and vague, it feels shoe-horned in. Sue’s arc feels oddly regressive in 2025, and a bit of a rip-off of the 2007 film.
Reed and Johnny get the most to do and the most development. Reed Richards isn’t always a likable character in the comics, but in Pascal’s hands, Reed is a scientist with a heart who loves his family even when logic dictates otherwise. Quinn’s Johnny Storm is nowhere near as outrageous as Evans’ outing in his two films, but he’s delightfully funny, and is afforded more brains in this interpretation than in the comics.
The film is buoyed by the cast members giving it their all in every scene. They bring the chemistry even in quieter moments when there isn’t much to say or do. You will truly believe that the four of them are a family. And that is the crux of the film.
Story and characters aside, I can’t help dwelling on an aspect that I thought would be the weakest—the film’s 60s aesthetic. I adored it. I didn’t think I would because I’m not enamored with that era, but what The Fantastic Four: First Steps does with its aesthetic is unexpected and beautiful. I can’t stop thinking about it. The retro-futuristic vibe is so playful yet functional, I found myself immediately immersed in the world of the film. This is one of the most beautiful set designs I have ever seen in a Marvel film. It rivals Asgard and comes a close second to Wakanda.
With the Fantastic Four, the biggest challenge was Reed Richards’ power set. How do you make a man who stretches look cool instead of silly? The effects on Ioan Grufford worked for the time, but they haven’t aged well. I’m surprised at how well Mister Fantastic’s stretchy powers looked—surprisingly natural.
The special effects of this film are superb. One expects as much from superhero films, but in all honesty, some of the recent fare hasn’t delivered. Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness had some seriously janky effects, and, not to pile on Superman again, but a few of the effects there were laughable.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is an enjoyable ride. It’s a well-deserving entry for the team that so many fans have been desperate to see on-screen again. The film is full of heart and has some excellent character moments. Coupled with memorable set designs and great special effects, this is a superhero film that is going to bring people much joy on the road to Doomsday.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters on July 24!