The Wasteland Reviewer

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Written Review

Is this it? Will this be the time that they finally get it right? The Fantastic Four has been such a challenging property to get right on the big screen. One so atrocious it never got released in theaters. A pair that was underwhelming and indicative of a lesser time for superhero films. One was a trainwreck and wasted a fresh new take. But Matt Shakman is riding high off Wandavision success and takes the reins of this fourth attempt. But The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a completely unique version of Marvel’s First Family. Retro-futurism and a comic book feel to its course…. that sounds like the right canvas to tackle this beloved team of superheroes. 

How does Shakman bring this specific vibe and atmosphere to life on screen? The whole atmosphere, design, and visual experience of First Steps are perfect. The production design is so authentic and detailed based on retro-futurism. The buildings, furniture, vehicles, and costumes are all fully realized and work perfectly together to build this specific and engrossing cinematic experience. The use of blue and white pop on screen for sure. The music does plenty of heavy-lifting for sure as Michael Giacchino crafts a wondrous, charming, and rich score that brings the retro-futuristic vibe to life. The use of “Fantastic Four” as vocalizations in the score might seem silly but they give the film an epic film. The visuals effects in the film are aplenty for sure. You have whole characters who are computer generated and that is always a challenge. Ben Grimm looks amazing in his big rock “The Thing” form. H.E.R.B.I.E. is tons of fun zipping around on screen as well. The Silver Surfer looks great as well, especially as she flies into action throughout the film. The biggest challenge was Galactus but he looks enormous and terrifying with the scale of his size. The design is fantastic as well and Ralph Ineson comes to life as “The Devourer of Worlds”. The special effects generally look good as well (despite some blips along the way with some shaky visuals). 

Does the film do justice to this large ensemble of characters? The film could have afforded an extra 20 minutes or more to flesh out these characters but in general, this script efficiently crafts this team out well. Reed Richard is a compelling leader to this team with his immense genius (which he is fully aware of) but struggles to comprehend when he cannot solve a problem. His neuroticism and anxiety shackle him to over-preparing and doom-planning, which adds layers to both the impending arrival of Galactus as well as the birth of his son. He is a loving and loyal person but does frustrate those around him due to his hyper-fixations. His connection with Sue Storm is warm, loving, and vulnerable. Sue is probably the least fleshed out of the four, but her love, loyalty, and leadership make her probably the strongest (emotionally) of the bunch. There are subtle beats that show her leadership, command, and presence and the story gives her the ultimate hero moment in the final act. The film also gives the audience the opportunity to see her priorities evolve right in front of us as she becomes a mother. Johnny Storm is a fun and goofy member of the crew. He utilizes humor to cut tension but cannot avoid his own feeling of inadequacy. Johnny thirsts for a purpose (which puts him at odds with Reed) and to show his worth and the film gives him an interesting subplot as he develops a connection with the Silver Surfer and takes ownership in discovering who she is and how to gain her assistance. His dynamic with Sue is loving and playfully ribbing on the other members of the team. This might not be quite the same womanizing Johnny of Chris Evans, but he does have a penchant for the ladies (and especially trying to find one interesting enough for him). Ben is the real standout as a loving, loyal, intuitive, and supportive individual. He has a strong and supportive connection with both Reed and Sue while having a fun brotherly dynamic with Johnny. He would have benefited from more screen time especially because the film teases a romance for him (which shines in its limited moments. Shalla-Bal has interesting parallels to Reed and Sue as the impossible choice laid in front of them is one that Shalla-Bal already gave into (becoming the Herald of Galactus). Then you have the big bad himself. Galactus is the ancient and all-powerful force in all of existence that represents Reed’s greatest fear…a problem he cannot solve. There is not much characterization in him, but Galactus is a terrifying and devouring force that finds a purpose to come to Earth that opens the film to some morally complex and compelling elements. 

Does the story these characters inhabit engage the audience? For this film to work in under two hours, it really needs to be efficient. The team who wrote accomplished that mostly well. A fun and engaging television broadcast opens the film and provides plenty of background and world-building in a unique way. We have a good understanding of the team from the jump and the journey they went on. There are plenty of other elements of the world to enjoy including Harry Elder’s (Mole Man) Subterranea (which has some purpose in the grand scheme of the film). Galactus is introduced as an entity that needs to feed, and the hunger is insatiable. What makes his interest with Earth more interesting is when he finds a new entity to pass his curse onto…Franklin Richards. This morality case study is the key to the film. Give up your child or let your whole world die? That is the impossible decision that Reed and the team try to avoid at all costs. We are introduced to a world fully behind and trusting the team, but this choice sews contention and frustration. This choice also challenges Reed’s fear of his child being mutated from his perceived failure that mutated the team in the first place. This also challenges Sue as a new mother who will do anything to protect her child. The story moves fast and effectively threads the team, Franklin, Galactus, and the Silver Surfer together in this story that culminates in a final confrontation of immense scale in The Big Apple. There are threads that could have been used more time but overall, this is a film that moves well, makes you feel, makes you laugh, and makes you feel the real weight of this conflict. 

Does this stacked cast deliver the goods as well? Pedro Pascal is in so much nowadays that it can feel a little oversaturated but here he delivers a unique performance that shuns his natural charm and charisma for his more natural anxiety and neuroticism. Vanessa Kirby has great presence and strength as she brings dignity to Sue Storm. You can feel a natural chemistry between Pascal and Kirby which makes their marriage feel so natural. Joseph Quinn is high energy and fun (and you can tell he is having a blast). Ebon Moss-Bachrach feels so authentic and naturalistic as he brings a warmth and loving presence to Ben Grimm and just a raw physicality that is needed to sell The Thing. Julia Garner brings depth and emotion to The Silver Surfer, which makes her arc feel so believable and authentic. Ralph Ineson brings presence and intimidation to Galactus which is the most essential piece to his whole character. A funny and unexpected addition to the film, Paul Walter Hauser steals every moment he is on screen as Harvey Elder (Mole Man). 

Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps the adaptation that we have all been waiting for? This is leaps and bounds the greatest Fantastic Four film to date (if you don’t count The Incredibles). This is not a high bar but First Steps certainly sets a new high bar. This latest addition to the MCU is not perfect either. There could have been 20 more minutes of character interactions (especially for Ben Grimm) to really flesh out the team. The script is impressive and efficient though as it fills the film with a great story without much flab at all. The special effects are there, especially bringing The Silver Surfer, The Thing, and Galactus to life. The team has great chemistry and gives us hope for more adventures with them. This is a moving family drama dropped in an epic science fiction tale and Shakman ties it all together so well.