A Promising Yet Imperfect ‘Rebirth’ for Marvel’s First Family
After several previous attempts to bring Marvel’s First Family to the big screen with mixed results, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision), premiered on July 25, 2025.
Set against a vibrant, retro-futuristic 1960s backdrop, this iteration distinguishes itself by skipping the traditional origin story and introducing an already established superhero team.
While garnering generally positive reviews, the film presents a blend of strengths and lingering weaknesses.
A Fresh Start, Not an Origin Story
One of the most praised aspects is its decision to forgo a lengthy origin tale.
A brief “film-within-a-film” montage quickly brings audiences up to speed on how the four astronauts gained their powers, allowing the movie to dive straight into the action and focus on team dynamics.
This self-contained story, largely free from the broader MCU’s intricate connections (except for a mid-credit scene), offers a refreshing change for those suffering from “superhero fatigue.”
The film’s setting in an alternate 1960s Earth (Earth 828) is another standout feature.
This retro-futuristic aesthetic, complete with flying cars and a visual style reminiscent of classic sci-fi like The Jetsons, creates a unique world.
Production designer Kasra Farahani has received praise for meticulous detail, making the environment feel nostalgic and fresh.
The Heart of the Team: Family Dynamics and Relatable Themes
At its core, First Steps is a family drama. Shakman prioritizes the interpersonal relationships among the lead quartet.
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing have all received acclaim for performances that genuinely feel like a family, allowing for both emotional moments and humor.
Kirby’s portrayal of Sue Storm is noted as a significant improvement, presenting a proactive, pragmatic character crucial to the team’s survival.
The film explores Reed and Sue’s challenges as expectant parents, with their soon-to-be-born son Franklin becoming central to the plot.
This exploration of parenthood against a cosmic threat adds emotional depth, with themes of hope, teamwork, sacrifice, and parental protection woven throughout.
The Cosmic Threat: Galactus and Silver Surfer
The central conflict involves the arrival of Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), herald of the planet-devouring Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson).
Garner’s performance showcases a character who has made a difficult bargain, while Ineson’s Galactus is given moments that elevate him beyond a typical villain.
The stakes are incredibly high, as Galactus intends to consume Earth, and his proposal to swap the planet for baby Franklin adds a deeply unsettling dimension to the conflict.
Areas for Improvement: Pacing and Action
While excelling in character work and visual design, some criticisms point to pacing issues and action sequences.
Some reviewers felt the story occasionally lags in its middle section. Though the focus on character over constant CGI action is appreciated, a few critics felt the action sequences lacked visually striking comic-book-worthy images.
Despite Galactus and his planet-grinding spacecraft being impressive, the camera work doesn’t always capitalize on the visual potential.
Additionally, some found the script occasionally clunky, with certain plot conveniences or character decisions that strained logic.
Reception and Box Office
The Fantastic Four: First Steps received generally positive reviews, earning a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes (85%) and a Metacritic score of 64.
Critics lauded its distinct retro-futuristic aesthetic, strong cast chemistry, and family-focused themes. Its ability to stand alone from the broader MCU was also significant praise.
At the box office, the film performed well, earning $368 million globally.
Domestically, it opened with $117.6 million and maintained the top spot for its second weekend, despite a significant drop.
Its performance in India was respectable, though it faced stiff competition from local blockbusters.
Conclusion: A Solid First Step
The Fantastic Four: First Steps largely revitalizes Marvel’s First Family.
It benefits from Shakman’s character-driven direction, a strong ensemble cast that genuinely feels like a family, and a visually distinctive 1960s-inspired world.
While not flawless, with some narrative and action elements that could have been stronger, the film delivers a compelling and emotionally resonant superhero adventure.
It’s a solid, intelligent, and occasionally inspired comic book movie that feels like a confident “first step” for the Fantastic Four, leaving audiences excited for their future within the Marvel universe.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10676052
