As Somebody Who Has Never Watched A Fantastic Four Movie He Didn’t Like, Here’s Why I Think The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is Finally The Marvel Movie Of My Dreams

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Wow, I’m a huge Fantastic Four fan! Seriously, I’ve never met a movie fan bigger than me. Even before The Fantastic Four: First Steps came out, I hadn’t seen a single movie in the series that I didn’t enjoy-and that includes both the films with Chris Evans, and even the one with Michael B. Jordan, which a lot of people didn’t like.

With that being said, as soon as I saw the first trailer for First Steps, I got the feeling this was exactly the Fantastic Four movie I’d always wanted. And thankfully, it lived up to my expectations! I really enjoyed almost everything about it, and I’m thrilled it’s now available on VOD so I can rewatch it.

There are many reasons why this is considered the greatest Fantastic Four film. Here are a few of them.

Oh, and some spoilers ahead.

This Is My Favorite Cinematic Version Of Team, Bar None

I’ve seen a lot of Fantastic Four adaptations over the years – yes, even that Roger Corman one that never really saw the light of day – and it’s easy to think, of course a cast led by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach would be the definitive version of Marvel’s First Family. However, hold on a moment – it’s not quite that simple!

It’s funny, even though I’m a fan of Pascal, I’ve seen people say he doesn’t quite measure up to Ioan Gruffudd. The same idea applies to Kirby – many think she lacks the same star power as Jessica Alba. And let’s not even talk about Quinn versus Chris Evans. Evans was just phenomenal – he even went on to play Captain America! Also, no disrespect to Moss-Bachrach, but Michael Chiklis was absolutely outstanding.

However, even though the actors from the early 2000s might have been better on their own, I believe the First Steps cast represents the best portrayal of the team collectively. Their strength lies in their teamwork!

This Mister Fantastic is rather reserved, and he depends on his outgoing wife, Susan Storm, to communicate their ideas. Johnny Storm isn’t quite as funny as the portrayal by Evans, but he still contributes significantly to the group, often saving the day. Also, this version of Benjamin Grimm feels more like a true family member than we’ve seen before. Because of all this, this is the strongest team dynamic we’ve gotten, and it’s noticeably better than previous iterations.

I Love That The World Truly Does Feel Built Around Them

I think First Steps really shines when it comes to its setting. The retro-futuristic feel is unique, making it seem like no other Marvel characters could realistically inhabit this world. In contrast, the Roger Corman version feels quite simple, with a standard early 2000s New York setting. And the 2015 adaptation primarily unfolds within a laboratory.

However, this film feels incredibly special. What I particularly enjoy is that while it’s not strictly a historical drama, it appears to be one. The world it creates features cars reminiscent of the Kennedy era, alongside powerful spaceships capable of long-distance travel and safe returns. This blend makes the setting feel like a character in its own right, and as I said before, it’s perfectly suited to this group of characters.

As a lifelong cinema fan, I think this is the best Fantastic Four movie, and honestly, one of the best Marvel films overall. What really sets it apart for me is that it feels completely unique. It doesn’t try to copy what came before. In fact, it feels like it actively wants to be different from the older versions, and I really appreciate that. It’s refreshing to see a take that doesn’t feel beholden to past interpretations, and it makes for a much more compelling watch, in my opinion.

This is especially evident in just how cosmic this movie is, which I’ll get into next.

This Is The First Fantastic Four Movie That Actually Nailed The Cosmic Elements From The Comics

I still remember the reaction when this film initially came out – there was a lot of talk about the Silver Surfer being reimagined as a woman. A lot of people labeled it “woke”, which always struck me as a bit much. It’s easy to forget that Shalla-Bal is actually a character from the original comics! Plus, it was great to hear that the actor who previously played the Silver Surfer, Julia Garner, gave their full support to the recasting. It just seemed like a positive change to me, honestly.

Almost everyone who’s seen this movie agrees that a standout scene is when Shalia-Bal pursues our heroes across space as Sue is in labor. This Herald of Galactus actually rides a wormhole, and watching it, I genuinely felt this was the first Fantastic Four movie to really nail the cosmic side of things.

While past movies showed the team going to space to gain their powers, this film is unique in how it emphasizes space as a key part of their story following that initial event (which, like Spider-Man’s origin in the MCU films, is quickly summarized). When Galactus appears, the team heads to space as if it’s routine, and some of the most exciting scenes actually take place among the stars.

Don’t worry, there isn’t a massive cloud creature headed for Earth. Instead, our heroes bravely venture into space to confront the threat, and that makes the situation even more exciting. It’s a much cooler approach.

Having A Movie (Mostly) Without Dr. Doom Was The Right Call

Let me clarify – I’ve come to really like the idea of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, and I’m genuinely excited to see him in the next Avengers movie. However, I’m also glad we avoided another Fantastic Four movie featuring that character. If that had happened, it would have been the fifth film to include him, and that just would have been too much.

No, choosing Galactus as the villain was a great decision, and it’s just one more reason why this is the best Fantastic Four movie ever. Galactus really makes the movie feel new and different, and besides Doctor Doom, he’s likely the next most famous villain from their universe.

Furthermore, he and Silver Surfer are the highlights of the story. Giving Galactus a voice and allowing him to act independently (instead of just being a mindless force) makes him a genuinely frightening villain. We clearly understand his motivation – he wants Sue’s baby! – and the devastating consequences if he’s denied (the destruction of Earth!).

Bringing back Doctor Doom as the main villain again would have felt repetitive – like we’d already seen that story. Instead, holding him back for the scene after the credits was the perfect choice. Absolutely, one hundred percent.

I Also Love That Sue Storm Is The Team’s M.V.P

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I really appreciate that First Steps focuses on empowering women. Shalla-Bal is essentially what kicks off all the trouble in this story, and Sue Storm is the one who takes the lead in fighting Galactus.

Actually, Sue is the true standout performer in this movie, which is a welcome surprise. Her child is the reason Galactus issues the team a final demand, and Sue is the one who calms the people of Earth, ultimately inspiring them to fight back. On top of all that, she even DEFEATS Galactus.

That’s correct! She actually uses her unseen abilities as a way to force him – a being capable of consuming entire planets! – into the snare that brings his time on earth to an end.

Honestly, Sue Storm is fantastic in this film, and it’s just another reason why it’s the best Fantastic Four movie ever. She really shines, and I’m happy she’s finally recognized as the team’s most valuable player in a movie.

Just curious – did you happen to see First Steps? Are you thinking of watching it through video on demand? I’m really interested in what you thought of it!

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2025-10-01 13:11