The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Film Review: Believe the hype, it's that good!
- reeltalkin'
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, the titular Fantastic Four face their greatest challenge yet when the ravenous, planet-devouring space god known as Galactus threatens to consume Earth.
It is certainly no secret that the MCU has been on a rocky road over the past few years, with some notable hits here and there, but seeming to drop out of audience interest following the climactic, cinematic event that was Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Today's feature already had the difficult task of rebooting the popular comic book franchise following a disastrous attempt in 2015, as well as competing for the spotlight with James Gunn's highly anticipated take on Superman hitting theatres this year.
Miraculously, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is everything it needed to be and then some. A fun, crowd-pleasing summer blockbuster that offers a fresh, unique visual aesthetic and balances stunning superhero spectacle with heartfelt character drama to great effect.
The movie triumphantly stands on its own two feet, respecting both casual film fans and Marvel fanatics alike, and does not rely on any previous MCU baggage set up for audiences to understand the narrative. Instead, we are introduced to the team via super slick montages showcasing their origins as pioneering astronauts and how they gained their superhuman abilities through their cosmic adventures in space.
There is an endearing, campy, yet warm, nostalgic tone to these sequences, complete with grainy film filters and plenty of support from this world's citizens. The editing for this entry is truly praiseworthy, delivering a breezy sense of pace which does not sacrifice the important character drama at the core of its narrative, and as such, the movie never overstays its welcome.
The film genuinely feels like a well-needed breath of fresh air for the MCU and does not force in inappropriate humour or cringey one-liners, which the movies in this franchise are very well known for. The comedy feels much more natural here and matches the playful, light-hearted tone well. Admittedly, some jokes do go on a tad too long, but it is all harmless and further adds to the humanity of our leads, despite their superhero status. The characters of Ben Grimm, 'The Thing' (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm, 'Human Torch' (Joseph Quinn) do take a bit of a back seat in this adventure; however, they provide solid moments of comic relief and are given a suitable amount of screen time to establish their identities.
More focus is awarded to Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards 'Mister Fantastic', his wife Sue Storm 'Invisible Woman' (Vanessa Kirby), and their newborn son, Franklin, who may or may not have inherited his parents' powers. The inclusion of a baby becoming a major element of the film may, on the surface, appear as a cheap gimmick to easily sway viewers' emotional involvement; however, Franklin's addition is actually a significant part of the plot and further solidifies the solid family dynamic between the group.
The film's casing is top-notch, and despite the fact that Pascal is currently receiving some controversy regarding the 'fatigue' surrounding his public appearances, this role alone proves his phenomenal talents as an actor. His ability to conjure up genuine, raw emotion is splendid, and his role as a slightly socially awkward, eccentric scientist provides him with an interesting opportunity to tone down his usual charismatic, charming screen presence into something more nuanced and grounded. He also shares strong, believable chemistry with Kirby, whose powerful turn as Sue Storm showcases her wonderful ability to embody internal strength and conflicting emotions without needing to speak a word of dialogue.
Director Matt Shakma, known for the creative mind behind WandaVision (2021) and the man responsible for directing episodes for some of the highest-rated television shows of the 21st Century, such as Game of Thrones (2011-2019) and Succession (2018-2023), brings a delightful visual flair to the film.
The vibrant, colourful world of this retro-inspired alternative version of Earth is very well realised and provides an original edge over the more recent outputs of the superhero genre, including great attention to detail regarding costumes and production design. The special effects are equally as strong, introducing an imposing cosmic threat in the form of Galactus, with Ralph Ineson providing a very intimidating voice to the character, whose colossal scale serves to deliver a genuinely threatening, dark presence for our heroes to face and overcome.
The one and only Michael Giacchino, a composer who is no stranger to crafting catchy themes for the superhero genre, returns with another brilliant score. The usage of an ethereal heavenly choir matches the epic, grand scope of the film's narrative, with quieter, more delicate pieces complementing the intimate character drama perfectly. The inclusion of the iconic Fantastic Four fanfare was also an entertaining addition to the soundtrack, serving as a cheeky, tongue-in-cheek, yet respectful nod to the classically vintage source material.
Overall, this latest entry into the MCU is the full, complete package of what makes a terrific superhero movie. The Fantastic Four is an earnest, engaging action/adventure romp with a surprising amount of heart, which forms solid foundations for its fantastical narrative. The film is sincere in its optimistic storytelling surrounding themes of parenthood, family, and the ability to show compassion against all odds. It is truly the best Marvel film in years.
Hopefully, this will redeem the previously failed attempts at bringing these characters to the big screen and spark new interest and excitement for future MCU installments. Only time will tell if the creators manage to match the quality achieved by this standalone gem in the franchise.
Check out the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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