The Fantastic Four: First Steps
★★★ 1/2
Marvel has been in need of a fresh start, and Fantastic Four: First Steps just might be it.
This reboot isn’t your typical CGI-heavy, multiverse-jumping extravaganza. Instead, it leans into character over chaos—and for the most part, it works. While the Fantastic Four have always leaned a bit more sci-fi than I typically enjoy, this story stays mostly Earthbound, focusing on the relationships that define this team of unlikely heroes.
What sets this film apart is its emotional core. Without giving too much away, the story hinges on a pregnancy that reshapes how we view these characters. It raises the stakes in a surprising, human way—and makes this Marvel outing feel more intimate than epic.
The casting is strong across the board. Vanessa Kirby is a standout as Sue Storm, and the actors behind Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) bring personality and depth. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards is an interesting choice. While he’s always charismatic, Reed is famously more brain than charm—which slightly mutes Pascal’s natural screen presence. Still, the team dynamic works well, and no one character overshadows the others.
Visually, the film plays in a retro 1960s sandbox, and it’s a style that fits. It adds flair without feeling gimmicky, even if we can sense the green screens doing heavy lifting in a few scenes.
Is it perfect? No. There are moments where the plot skips forward a bit too quickly, and the sci-fi elements—telepathy, black holes, you name it—aren’t always fully explained. But like a good comic book, the film doesn’t get bogged down in logic. It trusts its tone, and we go along with it.
I watched this with my family—including my daughters, who were drawn in by the movie’s buzzy trailer and surprising emotional stakes—and we all had a great time. That might be the best thing about First Steps: it doesn’t assume prior knowledge or demand MCU expertise. It’s a clean entry point, and that’s something the franchise sorely needed.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is more about people than powers. It's not Marvel's flashiest film, but it’s one of its more heartfelt entries. If you’re looking for a superhero movie with genuine emotional beats and a fun retro vibe, this is a great place to start.
