Review By Jon Donnis
It feels like we've been waiting forever for Marvel's First Family to finally land in the MCU. There have been reboots before, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the one that tries to get it right by going back to the beginning, but not quite the way we expected. With Matt Shakman directing and a full tilt into a 1960s-inspired retro-futurist setting, this latest take finds its voice in optimism and spectacle rather than snark or franchise fatigue. It's a surprisingly earnest and often engaging story of four brilliant but flawed individuals trying to save not just the world, but each other.
Set on Earth-828, a separate reality from the mainline MCU, the film doesn't rely on prior continuity, and that turns out to be one of its strengths. We're introduced to Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm in a brisk and colourful opening that sees them on a space mission that quickly goes sideways. After being exposed to cosmic rays, the group gains their iconic abilities. Four years later, they're full-fledged heroes and beloved by the public. For once, the Fantastic Four aren't struggling for acceptance or hiding in the shadows. They're celebrated. Even their home at the Baxter Building is a beacon rather than a bunker.
Pedro Pascal brings a subdued confidence to Reed Richards, playing him not as an emotionally unavailable genius but as a man trying to build a future for his family. Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm is quietly commanding, with a sense of focus that carries many of the film's more grounded moments. Joseph Quinn, meanwhile, channels Johnny Storm's recklessness with a sharp mix of charm and frustration, (yes he has been neutered somewhat compared to the Chris Evans portrayal, some wokeness had to creep in). Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm is the emotional heart, bringing humour and pathos without turning his rocky exterior into a joke. You believe these people care about each other, even when they're at odds.
Their camaraderie is tested early when the Silver Surfer arrives on Earth with a warning. Galactus is coming. And it's not just another big CGI villain this time. Ralph Ineson, with that gravelled voice of his, gives Galactus real menace. The scale of destruction feels massive without turning into a completely impersonal battle. The twist is that Galactus doesn't just want to eat the planet. He's interested in Sue and Reed's unborn child, sensing a power that could rival his own. That personal angle drives the second act, and it's where the film finds something a little different.
Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer in this version, gives the story a deeper emotional spine. Her motivations are rooted in desperation, and when the film lets her speak in her own way, through action, expression, and, eventually, broken conversation with Johnny, there's a genuine sense of tragedy to her role. She isn't a full villain, but she isn't exactly a misunderstood hero either. The ambiguity works.
Some of the strongest moments come not from the action sequences but the quieter beats. A family dinner turns into a philosophical debate. A failed press conference shows how quickly public perception can shift. Even the evacuation of New York, with Mole Man surprisingly helping out, feels less like a world-ending spectacle and more like people doing their best under impossible circumstances. Paul Walter Hauser's take on Mole Man brings oddball energy without tipping into parody.
When it comes to the visuals, First Steps is bold and vivid. There's a gleam to everything, from the curved lines of the Baxter Building to the swirling energy of the black hole escape sequence. The action is clean and easy to follow. There's real clarity to the choreography, especially when the team fights as a unit rather than four individuals. The final confrontation in Times Square manages to blend sci-fi stakes with emotional payoff.
Not everything lands, though. Some of the dialogue in the early scenes is stiff. There's a handful of exposition dumps that could have been more gracefully woven into the story. And at just over 110 minutes, the pacing feels slightly baggy in the middle. The setup is strong, and the climax delivers, but there's a lull where too much time is spent recapping what we already understand.
Still, those flaws don't undo what the film gets right. There's a genuine sense of fun here. It doesn't rely on nostalgia or multiverse gimmicks. It's just a solid superhero story told with colour, heart and a little imagination. The tone balances awe and warmth, never dipping into cynicism. It's nice to see a Marvel film that believes in its own world again, and doesn't feel the need to wink at the audience every ten minutes.
It helps that this feels like a complete film. No cliff-hangers, no mid-credit bait and switch. Yes, there's a clear door open for the future, especially with Franklin's powers, but it doesn't feel like a commercial for a dozen other projects. That alone is worth applauding.
In the end, The Fantastic Four: First Steps might not break any new ground, but it doesn't have to. It delivers a smart, heartfelt take on the Fantastic Four with just enough spectacle to thrill and enough character to care. It's more than just a reset. It's a reminder of how good these stories can be when they're told with a little sincerity.
Not revolutionary, but refreshingly straightforward. A colourful, competent step forward for Marvel's cinematic universe.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
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