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Synopsis
In an alternate universe set in 1964, Earth is protected by The Fantastic Four, a superhero team endowed with extraordinary powers. There’s Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). With their celebrity status, the team has also made significant contributions to scientific advancements and helped promote global peace. Sadly, that peace is threatened with the arrival of The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), who declares Earth’s destruction is imminent. The four follow her to figure out what they’re up against, and they meet her master, Galactus (Ralph Ineson). He’s chosen Earth as his next target for consumption, but will spare them if they surrender Sue’s unborn child. Despite the citizens’ pleas, the four stand firm in wanting to fight Galactus and not sacrifice a baby. Will they successfully save the world, or will Galactus devour the Earth?
Review
After years of mediocre to downright awful adaptations, we finally have a good Fantastic Four movie. While I admire the 1994 film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is objectively better in almost every way. Oley Sassone’s version had tons of ambition but a lackluster budget, which doesn’t necessarily make for a bad movie. However, this new adaptation demonstrates that providing creatively talented individuals with the right resources can lead to something truly remarkable. The decision to set this film in an alternate 1960s universe was a genius idea that helps it stand out. You can tell from the production design, visual aesthetics, and score that 2001: A Space Odyssey was a huge influence. From the Baxter Building to the streets of New York City, the world feels lived-in and fully realized. It helps that the filmmakers employed as many practical effects and sets as possible.
While I think he’s a great actor, I wasn’t sure if Pedro Pascal was the best choice for Reed Richards. That said, he delivers a strong performance as a conflicted man with the world’s weight on his shoulders. For as intelligent and confident as Reed is, he still struggles when things get tough, and you feel for him. Vanessa Kirby is a great Sue Storm, displaying a motherly quality that perfectly fits the character. It helps that she has fantastic chemistry with Pascal, and they complement each other well. Joseph Quinn is a solid Johnny Storm, still acting like a brash womanizer while also showing self-awareness. Although I admire Michael Chiklis’ portrayal of The Thing, Ebon Moss-Bachrach brings a great deal of humanity to the role. Julie Garner is striking as The Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson is downright terrifying as Galactus.
Admittedly, there isn’t a ton of action, but that is strangely a positive rather than a negative. Rather than bogging down the movie with endless CG-filled fights, the focus is on developing the characters and story. You care about the Fantastic Four and are with them as they try to figure out how to stop Galactus. When the action kicks in, the movie succeeds at building tension and suspense that keeps you on edge. It also helps that, unlike other recent MCU movies, this one knows when to dial back on the humor. Granted, there are a few gags that go for too long or don’t land, but they’re few and far between. Even still, this film moves at a lean pace and doesn’t overstay its two-hour runtime, which is welcome. Overall, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will entertain both newcomers and MCU completionists alike.
Buy The Fantastic Four: First Steps from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3K2FVJo.
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Where to watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
