Film Review: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

5 Stars

By Joseph Beyer | Aug. 2, 2025

In a culture where AI can create spectacular visual effects at the tap of a button on our phones, at a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become as complex as our own galaxy, within a summer movie season already stockpiled with superheroes, The Fantastic Four: First Steps might be easy to dismiss as yet another predictable blockbuster trying to make a buck.

Instead, supported by an astonishingly talented cast of performers, a smart script, and a retro-futuristic art direction that lovers of midcentury-modern will never want to leave, The Fantastic Four not only lives up to the hype of something fresh, it surpasses it in my opinion by becoming an almost visual art piece homage to comics themselves.

And while the stellar sets, iconic costumes, and clever CGI that created this Jetsons-esque analog mashup are nothing short of dazzling, it’s the simple story of an unlikely family at the heart of the film that will ignite your emotions and draw you in. (And their fight to stay together may have you sometimes choking back tears. I had to let mine go during one of the most intense “mom-energy” sequences I’ve ever seen.)

As American astronauts who were altered in space with special powers, the Fantastic Four have returned to Earth where they use their smarts and skills to defend and serve humanity. Reed Richards can stretch his body as far as his brilliant scientific mind; his wife Susan Storm can generate powerful force fields and invisibility; Susan’s brother Johnny can fly like a flaming meteor; and their friend Ben Grimm has superstrength and a rock-like skin.

Nerd alert: The familiar cast of Fantastic Four characters is appearing here with a fresh start, but technically it’s their fourth onscreen appearance in the sixth phase of the MCU after migrating across three studios. The good news is, none of that matters to thoroughly enjoy the current 1 hour and 55 minute cinematic adventure, rated PG-13 for intergalactic violence and villains.

This particularly well done Fantastic Four adventure begins with a scene that lays out the film’s entire premise in less than a minute: Reed and Susan are unexpectedly … expecting. And even as they long to have children, their altered DNA makes the outcome unknown.

Played by Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Reed is an analytical mess of worry and pragmatism. Played by Vaness Kirby (The Crown), Susan is a longing mother-to-be who tries to calm him. Their chemistry as a couple should grab you from the start, but their joy of pregnancy is put on hold when they must suddenly risk their lives again to save the planet from The Silver Surfer and a demon named Galactus.

Actors Joseph Quinn (Gladiator II) as the hot-headed and flame-throwing Johnny, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) hidden in plain sight as the vulnerable Ben, are both equally great as the sidekick expectant uncles and supporting cast.

Add to the ensemble an adorable robot named H.E.R.B.I.E. with special tools and powers, and later, a perfect newborn baby (also with special tools and powers), and there’s a lot to like about hanging out with this crew.

Inventive, clever, fast-paced, and genuinely fun (child carseat haters will be in stitches), I found myself delighted with the movies when I left, and grateful they still exist to whisk me away to worlds like this.

Now available in the full depth of digital/theatrical formats, get to the theater early and stay late for a special advanced extended trailer for the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash, a truly fun custom Fantastic Four Dolby countdown, and of course two hidden “stingers” or teaser scenes within the credits for future installments.