2025 Summer Movie Season - Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four First Steps: Review & Analysis

 

Fresh and Fantastic!!!!! 3rd Times The Charm As Marvel’s First Family Delivers Strong Beginning Of Phase 6!!!!

Review By BJ Porter

 

Welcome to the family

The Story

The vast realms across the multiverse have their own unique collection of defenders. For one particular universe, the defenders of the planet have never been more beloved. Years prior, a brave collection of explorers and scientists embarked on a cosmic mission that forever changed who they were. The ensemble includes brilliant scientist and researcher Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), his loving and headstrong wife Susan (Vanessa Kirby), Susan’s brilliant yet overly ambitious brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn), and a talented pilot physically altered into the form of indestructible rock Benjamin Grimm (Ebon Moss Bacharach). Together, they are known as the Fantastic Four, individuals who are seen by all as Earth’s most trusted and mightiest heroes. Highly regarded as Earth’s best line of defense against threats unknown, the planet soon gets issued a grave warning of an impending apocalyptic event that would decimate the world as they know it. Facing an enemy unlike anything they’ve seen before, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben must stand together as a family to protect what they hold dear, no matter the cost.

The family just got bigger

The Review

 The most iconic family in the history of Marvel finally comes to the MCU in the opening film of Phase 6 of the multiverse saga. Led by WandaVision creator Matt Shakman, the Fantastic Four First Steps brings Marvel’s first family to the forefront in a 60s-inspired period piece, aiming to deliver the large-scale cinematic experience that fans have been waiting for. After teaming with this collection of Marvel Comics royalty, The Fantastic Four First Steps is the long awaited home run that fans have waited for. So many attempts to bring the iconic quartet to life has proven to be below average at best and abysmal a worst. With the characters now in the hands of Marvel Studios, hope came shining in as many believed that we were finally going to get an iteration of these characters that was true to their world and true to them. I'm happy to say that the film delivers on both fronts. Fantastic Four First Steps presents a world that is engrossing and easy to get lost in. Every corner of it is filled with incredible detail and character that breathes life into every scene. While the atmosphere does a good job of adding life to the world, the characters give it a soul. Every member of the ensemble brings the iconic quartet to life in a way that makes you connected to them not just as characters but as a family unit. Everybody was on point but I believe in highlighting each member individualy and spotlighting what made their presence such a joy to see. Pedro Pascal is terrific in his role as Reed Richards. Pascal does such great work in crafting a version of Reed that has all the quirks the character should but with plenty of soul and emotional vulnerability underneath. Reed's approach to problem solving is always proactive and there are times where it puts him in compromising positions emotionally and psychologically which in turn put him at odds with his loved ones. I really enjoyed seeing a Reed Richards whose heart is in the right place but has to think with more than just his mind to solve the task in front of him. His on screen wife isn't too shabby either. I think its safe to say that Venessa Kirby's Sue Strom trancends those that came before. In areas where Reed lacks emotional and situational awareness, Sue has this strong motherly aura about her that makes her a powerful force both when she's using her powers and when she isn't. She brings such life to the screen and the character and I am thrilled to she her rise as one of the MCU's best new additions. As for our matchstick and clobber machine, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss Bachrach are an absolute delight as Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm. Speaking on Bachrach's portrayal of Ben, right when i saw the first scene in the first trailer, I was 100% convinced he perfectly captured the essence of the character. Looking at the full picture now, I can say without question, Bachrach IS Ben Grimm. His look, his voice, his overall presence brought me so much joy everytime he appeared on screen. This is exactly how the character is supposed to be portrayed and Bachrach gets full marks for doing the pride of Yancy Street justice. As for Joseph Quinn, he equally delivered as Johnny Storm but did it in a way I was not expecting. Don't get it twisted, this is still the snarky, sarcastic, and lovable firecraker we know, but he's got a little extra this go around. Johnny displays a side of himself that showcases that underneath the hotshot bravado is a man who is willing to go the distance to protect those he loves. That combined with the irresistible charm put on display by Quinn's performance make this one of the best iterations of the character I've seen that puts him above just the womanizing and firey playboy we are used to seeing. I'm excited to see more of him and the rest of these characters and how they progress moving forward in this new phase. In addition to our leads, the others in the ensemble delivered as well. While not seen on screen much, Julia Garner's turn as Shalla-Bal is solid as the character's arc is effectively excecuted with her truly making the most of her time given. In addition to her, Ralph Ineson is an absolute presence as Galactus in a portrayal that is everything you want from this larger than life force of nature. Others like Paul Walker Hauser are unsung standouts with Hauser really delivering some of the films best comedic moments especially near the end. 

One big thing comin' up

While the performances are great across the board, what makes this movie such a treat is the investment you have in the characters and what they go through. When you are doing a movie about Marvel's first family, nailing the family aspect was probably the most important thing to accomplish. I've have mentioned it in the past in regards to large scale cinematic stories like these. If you are not invested in the characters on screen, no amount of action set pieces will save the film from being unengaging, unmoving, or forgettable. The Fantastic Four First Steps makes it its mission to ensure these are characters you want to get to know and want to see succeed. Little things like the way they throw playful jabs and tease each other, build each other up, seeing how they approach problems and come up with solutions in their own way or as a group, and ultimately choose to stand by each other no matter the situation even when they disagree are all elements that do wonders for making this a group of people you want to see overcome the mountains they are facing. Chemistry plays a huge part in that and the tandem of Pascal, Quinn, Kirby and Bachrach are the best example of a well oiled machine regardless if they are all together or in pairs. Ben and Johnny as the goofy and bickering uncles is just as great to watch as Reed and Sue's differing world views on parenting and problem solving. That combined with the production design, musical score and period aesthetic allows for the world to feel more alive and so much credit goes to Director Matt Shakman and the work he did in shepherding this story in that way. Additionally, keeping things separate from the rest of the MCU played a big role in the enjoyment factor for it allowed for more freedom to build out this world with these characters before we inevitably bring them into the madness that awaits us in the culmination stage of the multiverse saga. The best part is the end result has me giddy with excitment to see how these characters not only interact with other members of the MCU in next year's assembling, but also how they will shape the next few formative year's of this universe's phase of storytelling. It's a lot to think about, but it’s a future that is exciting to ponder. Overall, The Fantastic Four First Steps is the cinematic victory lap that we have been praying for for quite some time. While the bar was never to high, Shakman and company did everything possible to deliver a Fantastic Four story worthy enough to be considered amongst the best the MCU has to offer. It took a long time to mix the right combination of ingredients to make it work, but the end results signals a strong start to the new phase in the MCU's latest cinematic chapter.

Final Score Rating

Filled with fun action, plenty of heart, and a collection of characters worth following
and growing with, Marvel's First Family arrives with an abundance of cinematic goodwill
as the open up the final phase of the Multiverse saga.

All roads lead to Doom.