The Fantastic Four: First Steps review – Marvel’s year has just got a whole lot better

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

In a delightful twist, 2025 has significantly improved for Marvel fans. Following the mediocre Captain America: Brave New World and the decent-yet-unremarkable Thunderbolts, we now have The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which stands as one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s finest films in recent memory.

Previously, Marvel Comics’ original superhero team had already made an appearance on the big screen. The early 2000s featured two movies, with Chris Evans – before he became Captain America – portraying the confident Johnny Storm in these films.

Afterward, the 2015 reboot by Josh Trank failed to thrive, standing independently of what’s known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

At long last, I’m thrilled to share the arrival of the incredible Fantastic Four into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But wait, could it be six? Initially, I find myself in the shoes of Sue Storm, portrayed by the exceptional Vanessa Kirby from The Crown. In a momentous turn of events, she discovers that she is expecting, a revelation that will undoubtedly play a pivotal role as our story unfolds.

Similar to James Gunn’s recent take on Superman, the story of First Steps skips the traditional origin tale. Instead, we join four years after the events of Storm, with her brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn), partner Reed (Pedro Pascal), and friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, portrayed by The Bear) already in possession of their mysterious space-derived powers, as they journey back to Earth together.

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I’m absolutely thrilled about the current wave of movie premieres! With blockbusters like Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist, and Moana 2 creating quite a stir in UK theaters, it feels like the perfect moment to catch a fantastic flick!

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Bearing what Reed refers to as “cosmically flawed genetic material,” this group of four has taken on the role of planetary guardians instead.

Reed is exceptionally gifted in mathematics, his limbs being flexible as putty. Sue possesses the ability to control and manipulate energy fields, much like an invisible force. Johnny, on the other hand, has the power to generate and control fire from his hands, resembling a living torch.

Later on, we have “Grimm,” now known as “The Thing.” This sturdy, block-constructed character is famous for his signature phrase (“It’s time for some smashing!”) due to a beloved animated TV show – a clever wink at the numerous animated series from days gone by.

In an alternate version of our planet named Earth 828, the story unfolds as the group encounters an extraterrestrial intruder.

The radiant Silver Surfer, skillfully portrayed by Julia Garner from Ozark, gracefully glides into sight, suspended above on her unique interstellar surfboard (trust me, it’s more awesome than you might imagine). She delivers a warning from Galan the Destroyer, an ominous cosmic menace who relishes in consuming planets for breakfast.

Galactus, ominously spoken by Ralph Ineson (remember, he’s Finchy from The Office), threatens to devour Earth. However, upon seeing that Storm is pregnant, Galactus halts his destructive path. He offers a deal: sparing Earth in return for the baby of Reed and Sue.

In a situation that feels incredibly intense, I find myself grappling with an ethical dilemma of profound proportions: saving humanity or my yet-to-be-born child. With every fiber of my being, I declare, “I choose to fight for both.” This struggle is not just global, but deeply personal as well.

In a major cinematic appearance, Kirby delivers impressively, balancing the challenges of an action-packed film and a heartfelt narrative centered around parenthood. Pascal exudes his customary charm, casting somewhat of a spell over both Quinn and Moss-Bachrach, whose innate charisma is largely camouflaged by computer-generated imagery.

In the narrative, Paul Walter Hauser plays an intriguing minor role as Mole Man, an underground antagonist summoned during Earth’s critical moment.

One of First Steps’ standout advantages lies in its unique design, a blend of retro-futuristic elegance that appears to feature an Eames chair in every room.

Kasra Farahani, the production designer for Disney+’s Loki series, does an outstanding job creating space-age living environments reminiscent of The Jetsons. The technology is intriguing, blending traditional elements like gold-toned vinyl records with advanced features such as HERBIE, the F4’s loyal robot companion.

Indeed, this seems to serve as a precursor for the upcoming spectacle, Avengers: Doomsday, where we can expect this foursome, alongside others, to engage in a fight against Robert Downey Jr’s character, Doctor Doom, next year.

First Steps maintains its balance gracefully. With an independent narrative that stands tall, it offers a vibrant, skillfully illustrated, and generally delightful comic book experience. It seems Marvel was in need of exactly this kind of production.

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2025-07-22 19:34