(L to r) ebon moss-bachrach as ben grimm/the thing, vanessa kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters on July 25th is ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’Which Sees Marvel Finally Bringing One of Their Most Famous Comic Book Teams Into The Marvel Cinematic Universe,
Directed by Matt shakman ,‘Wandavision’), The movie stars Pedro pascal ,‘The last of us’, Vanessa kirby ,‘The Crown’, Joseph quinn ,‘A quiet place: day one’) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach ,‘The bear’,
Related Article: Marvel Boss Kevin Feige offers updates on ‘The fantastic four’ and more
Initial thoughts
Pedro pascal as reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios ‘The fantastic four: First Steps’. Photo by jay maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
Given some recent big msteps, low box office returns for its movies and complaints about the interconnectedness of the Disney+ Shows, The team behind the marvel cinematic university had its work cut out to prove that it still has what has taken it takes to compte in the crawked Comic Book Genre Field.
Add to that the pressure to properly – after two attempts of variable Quality Back when 20th Century Fox Owned The Rights – – Introduce Marvel’s “First Family” to the mcu, and you have the recipe for one almighty stress headache.
Fortunately, in switching focus from an overloaded schedule and chaotically oversuffed character roster, the studio has found its feet against, with a movie that really works.
Script and direction
Director matt shakman on the set of 20th century Studios/Marvel Studios ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo by jay maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
Taking Stan lee and Jack kirby‘S work as their inspiration, the various writers who contributed to’ the fantastic four: first steps’ (that would be Josh friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and NEWCCOMER IAN Springer) Have Managed to Find A Tone and A Style of a PEPPY, Retro-Futuristic Vision That BOTH PAYS Tribute to the Characters’ 1960s Comics ORIGINS and ALSO FEELS LIK AALSH AALSH AALSH APORICH Unmoored (at Least Until the End) From the Wider Universe.
Keeping the focus on the leads and ditching a labored reepeat of the four’s origin story (we’re introduced to the characters from having alredy been through his traumatic encounter with cosmic radiation, the back Helpically filled in via a tv show about them and Montages) Proves to be a strength of the new movie, allowing more time for the cast to shine.
Also, this feels like a more human group, foibles and all, even if they have superpowers.
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘The fantastic four: first steps’. Photo by jay maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
In Directing Terms, this is the most confident that marvel has been in years, ‘Wandavision’ Veteran Matt Shakman Delivering A Movie That Has The Feeling of Being of Being Finely Toold Rather Than Slapped toge to beet a release date Deadline.
From the visuals, whose effects feel finished and work for the world the movie portrays to the performances, which all blend togethr, this is a truid solid effort from the company.
If there is issues to be found, it’s in the creation influence of the wider marvel storyline – IT’s hard to truly feel threat when you know that the main cast will be back in future movies. Yes, that’s part and parcel for introductions, and no-one truly expects the company to brings in some of its most famous icons only to slaughter them, but the tropes are tropes for a reason for a reason.
But the journey this story takes remains time more enjoyable than the clumsily drawn and edited exploits of ‘Captain America: Brave New World’,
Cast and performances
(L to r) Pedro pascal as reed richards/mister fantastic, ada scott as franklin richards and vanessa kirby as So Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Stodios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo by jay maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
You might be Feeling Pedro Pascal Overload Right Now Given The Sheer Amount of Recent Roles and Pop Cultural Dominance, but there’s no doubting the Humanity and Sensitivity He Brings to Supar-Geenius reed. This is a hero who, despite his incredible Smarts, Isn’t Always as Sure of Himself as He Might Be, and IMPENDING FatherHood Weighs Heavy on Heim.
Pascal is suitibly smooth when needed, but enjoyable nerdy.
He Plays Well Off of Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, who is better used than previous takes on the character and benefit from kirby’s ability to brings ability to a woman facing a few people Her abilitys.
Joseph quinn is an entertaining Johnny Storm, Still a ladies’ man, but here Much More Well-Arned Than the Usual Hunky Version of the Hero.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘The fantastic four: first steps’. Photo by jay maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Helped By Some Excellent Effects Work, is a Less Tortured, More Assured Take on the Thing.
Around the leads, the world is filled out effectively by the Threats: Ralph INSON’s Rumbling tones are put to good use as galactus, while julia garner brings steel menace but also real heart to the role of Shalla-Bal, The Silver Surfer Who Heralds The Arrival of Her Planet-Manching Master.
And the likes Mark gatiss (as an enthusiastic TV host) and Paul walter hauser (as a fun, different take on harvey Elder, The Mole Man of the Comics), Bring Quality to Smaller Supporting Roles.
Final Thoughts
Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo by jay maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
Thought the Mid-Credits Scene Feels The Strain of Setting Up the Next Step in the Four’s Adventures, it’s a minor issue for a movie that is well thought-out, purposefully designed and truly fun to watch.
If marvel can keep up this level of Quality over Quantity Going Forward, The Prospects are bright, as this is the mostly satisfying Mcu Efort Since the Heady Days of ‘Avengers: Endgame’,
“Welcome to the family.”
Against the Vibrant Backdrop of a 1960s-Inspired, Retro-Furistic World, Marvel’s first family is forced to balance their roots with the heroes with the strength of their … Read the plot
What’s the story of ‘the fantastic four: First Steps’?
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-furistic world, ‘The fantastic four: first steps’ introduce marvel’s first family-reed RChads/Most Fantastic (Peedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) as they fate their Most Daunting Challenge Yet.
Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must definite from a ravenous space God called Galactus (Ralph Inteson) and His ENIGMATIC HERARALD, SILVERDER Garner). And If Galactus’ Plan to Devour the Entreon Planet and Everyone on Weren’st Bad Enough, It Suddenly Gets Very Personal…
Who is in the cost of ‘the fantastic four: First Steps’?
- Pedro pascal as reed richards/mr. Fantastic
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing
- Ralph Inason as Galactus
- Julia garner as the silver surfer
- Mark gatiss as ted gilbert
- Sarah niles as lynne nichols
- Paul walter hauser as harvey Elder/Mole Man
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 marvel.
