The Fantastic 4: First Steps

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-review-marvels-first-family-finally-gets-the-film-it-deserves/

"The Fantastic Four: First Steps not only introduces a team with the potential to lead the MCU's new era, but also establishes its own distinct identity: heartfelt, visually striking, and emotionally grounded.

Between Michael Giacchino's chilling score and the immersive retro-futuristic aesthetic - not to mention the undeniable chemistry among the four leads - there's a rare cohesion in this origin story, despite a few secondary issues.

The emotional weight in Vanessa Kirby's expressions, the intimate dilemmas faced by Pedro Pascal, and the vulnerability shown by Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach reveal an uncommon care for human detail.

If these are the first steps, they're sure-footed - and full of soul."

Rating: B+

Fun sci-fi fantasy that features a solid cast, good visual effects and okay enough story. Not great but well worth the price of admission. That said, can't say I have a desire to revisit for a long while. 3.75/5

"Unlike the last dozen-or-so MCU plods, which turned derring-do comic book heroics into endurance tests, THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS spins a ripping yarn that soars not only on spectacle, but also smarts and sentiment..." Read the full review here: https://bit.ly/4o5P6rP

Well good news, after ages and having given up trying “Sue” (Vanessa Kirby) and boffin “Reed” (Pedro Pascal) are going to have a bairn! This is great news for her brother “Johnny” (Joseph Quinn) and the stony fourth member of their gang “Ben” (Egon Moss-Bacharach). The news is greeted enthusiastically by their adoring fans too, but those celebrations are cut short when a mysterious woman descends from what looks like a meteor shower to forewarn them that their planet is doomed. Her (Julia Garner) boss “Galactus” (Ralph Ineson) is on his way, and he is hungry for not just some rare earths, but all of it! Blessed with their array of super-powers, the quartet embark in their warp-capable rocket to meet this chap and he offers them an alternative to global destruction. It’s one hell of a sacrifice for the would-be parents though, but with the fate of humanity hanging on their decision - what will they choose? Perhaps they can think of a scientific alternative? There is a slightly retro-look to the production, with their flying car looking like a converted Citroën that belonged in a Jacques Tati film, and there is plenty of inter-galactic adventure with some effective visual effects, a decent degree of menace and it stays sufficiently devoid of sentiment, and the multiverse, until the denouement. Though they do gel well together, none of the acting isn’t really anything special, nor is the writing, but “Ben” looks good with his beard and Quinn probably steals the show with his engagingly flaming character and his spray-on white 501s. There are loads of gadgets and gizmos and anyone who has ever had to argue with a child seat and a car might empathise, too. It’s an old-fashioned save the world movie that hasn’t sold it’s soul to the CGI, and I enjoyed it.

Much of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is built around Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) getting pregnant and having their child, Franklin. Everything seems to be built around baby proofing and preparing for someone new to enter their lives until The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives to let everyone know that an enormous cosmic being named Galactus plans to swing by and eat the entire planet.

The superhero film feels like a sci-fi film from the 1960s, which makes sense since Fantastic Four #1 debuted in 1961. Maybe it’s the bright colors or the fact that H.E.R.B.I.E. is featured so prominently, but the first half of the film feels like a multi-episode arc of The Jetsons.

Things are lighthearted and fairly silly until The Silver Surfer shows up. But The Fantastic Four and James Gunn’s Superman seem to be honoring the silver age of comic books, which is a welcome change for superhero films.

Oddly, the marketing makes it seem like the family bond amongst The Fantastic Four is so strong because it doesn’t seem that great while watching it. The film isn’t an origin story, as you only get a brief montage of how they got their powers. But there’s a lot of indecisiveness amongst the team with Franklin on the way. The way time passes in the film is weird. Sue’s pregnancy and Franklin’s age (apart from a certain time jump) seem accelerated, and it’s difficult to decipher if that much time has passed (nine months for the pregnancy, plus however many additional months Franklin is supposed to be) or if it’s fast-tracked because they all have powers.

The casting in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is fine, but they still seem to be finding a rhythm as a team. Reed’s brain works in a way that has him thinking of the worst scenarios, while his plans and logic stem from building everything around the most horrible solution. Sue just wants her baby to thrive in the presence of a loving family. She doesn’t want to give him to Galactus or deci...

I like drama, but i don't like action

Not bad!!

Because of the crap Marvel has been pumping overt the last decade, I went to watch this movie with very low hopes.

It was a surprising experience that the movie turned out to be pretty OK. Storyline is not too complicated. It is a simple predictable story without too much twisted plots or surprises. Nonetheless, the storytelling is captivating and you don’t realize how the 1:30 hr passed. Acting is pretty decent, Pedro Pascal shines in his acting. There is no typical Marvel BS in this movie.

If I had seen this movie about 15 years ago, I would have called it an average. But I am so sick and fatigued with crap movies these days, that even a normal movie like this feels good.

Overall it is worth watching.

There’s a distinctive charm to “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” a refreshing, visually inventive take on the MCU formula. Director Matt Shakman brings Marvel’s First Family into a retro-futuristic 1960s setting that makes the movie stand out from the typical summer superhero fare. Shakman delivers a world of bold colors, bubble-helmeted scientists, and sleek, sci-fi tech that’s unexpectedly delightful, if a bit slow moving.

Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) have their first baby on the way. They, along with Reed’s brother-in-law Johnny (Joseph Quinn) and best friend Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), are excited to welcome a new bundle of joy into their home. But when a mysterious woman known as Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) shows up with a dire warning from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson), Sue and Reed are given an impossible choice: give up their newborn son to save Earth, or let the entire planet be destroyed.

This conflict sounds compelling, but it’s also where the film stumbles. Galactus is more of a looming concept than a compelling villain, with motivations that feel too impersonal and very vague. Silver Surfer is a terrific character with an interesting back story, but the movie never quite gives her enough to do. The Four aren’t bogged down with an elaborate origin story either, and it works well here. They’re already established by the time we meet them, which allows for more time spent on character dynamics. I could see how casual audiences who are less familiar with the comic book characters could find the lack of an origin story disappointing, but the actors and their chemistry more than make up for it.

The film leans into its “found family” theme with heart and sincerity, placing an emphasis on character over spectacle. The strong performances from the cast boost the film’s overall credibility, and the special effects are (admittedly) top notch. The themes lean heavily on the idea that family is...

Look I am a huge Marval Movie fan and I thought this movie was one of my favorite movies of 2025 and one of my favorite Marvel Movies ever!

80/100

Our 4 heroes must save the world from a being that eats planets. This was a really fun and nostalgic entry in the MCU lexicon. Taking place in the 60s in a different universe, it perfectly blends the 60s feel and aesthetics with advanced technology. The family dynamics were nicely presented with depth, heart and humor. The action is top notch and the special effects were awe inspiring in scale. Galactus made a great omnipotent being and the Silver Surfer was also very well portrayed. We've waited far too long for a good F4 movie and I'm so glad to finally see it. -- DrNostromo.com