'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review: A Retro-Futuristic Launch for Marvel’s First Family
- Jack Ransom
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
By Jack Ransom - July 26, 2025
The 37th(!) film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Fantastic Four: First Steps sees the team (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach & Joseph Quinn) forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Jennifer Garner).
After years and years of fan demand and gradual inevitability after the Mouse’s acquisition of Fox, Marvel’s first family has finally arrived in the MCU in the centre of somewhat of a tumultuous mixed bag of a time. 2025’s franchise output has included the crushingly disappointing Captain America: Brave New World, the solid, darker tinged character focus of Thunderbolts* and Matt Murdock’s return to the small screen that with Daredevil: Born Again didn’t quite live up to the masterclass Netflix show.
Marvel’s First Family Finally Joins the MCU in Style
First Steps is certainly the best cinematic adaptation of the Four so far (though I can’t deny there are a couple of elements I actually prefer in the Tim Story 00’s efforts, which I’ll get to), and it is absolutely miles better than the atrocious, depressing slog that is 2015’s Fant4stic. Its swift recap of the Four’s origin and instead centring on their core family relationship and public perception is welcome. Easily some of the strongest aspects of the plot are the quieter, slice of life moments between the team members (Reed’s baby precautions montage is a laugh), the cooky immersive setting of the Baxter Building, and the effortless source material homering (love that narrated montage of the team’s heroics).
The overarching stakes will be very familiar to fans of Kirby & Lee’s classic The Coming of Galactus and parts of 2007’s Rise of the Silver Surfer. Whilst it is a superior adaptation to the latter, it does feel undeniably rushed and a tad undercooked at points. It’s somewhat refreshing in its simplicity, however the speed that the team encounter the Surfer/Galactus, return to Earth, deal with the panicked public and then formulate multiple plans to stop him (one in particular reminded me of the very speedy plot convenient moment in Avengers: Endgame where Tony invents time travel). It just feels like they are flooring the accelerator, when I wanted even more time in this world.
There also really is only two major action set pieces. Both are very solid: with the Silver Surfer wormhole chase being a chaotic, high-speed and stakes blast (especially with what is occurring on board the ship) and the final act blowout when Galactus arrives on Earth showcases his humongous scale and all the team’s power sets. Speaking of Galactus, his first appearance brought the biggest grin to my face and his appearance alone is worthy of an IMAX viewing. Stylistically, the retro-futuristic sets, costumes and props are stellar, H.E.R.B.I.E. is a practical little joy and whilst admittedly some of the CGI is a tad ropey at times (it’s to be expected at this point), there are some stellar shots and moments that look like a splash page come to life. Lastly, Michael Giacchino’s triumphant score will ring in your ears for a while after.
The cast chemistry is absolutely nailed here and the established sense of family is palpable. Part of me wasn’t 100% on the Pedro Pascal casting of Reed initially, but he’s good here and captures the constantly over-thinking and protective nature of the character, but it might just be my own perception of Reed (and the comics I’ve read) that’s holding me back a tad from me still fully seeing him as the character. Vanessa Kirby is the heart and soul of the team, from her charming calming demeanour, biting snappiness and epic power struggle in the finale, alongside the genuine peril, fear and love she has for her family its palpable. Whilst the 00’s outings perfected the Ben/Johnny squabbling, both Bachrach and Quinn nail the traits and tropes. Bachrach’s dry tone, quiet reflection and tinge of sadness to Ben (alongside his gleeful enthusiasm to punch things) is a strong voice performance and Joseph Quinn’s reckless, cunning, courageous and brash outgoings fit Johnny. Julia Garner’s dramatic, mysterious Surfer could have had a bit more to do points, but she does a top job in her moments on screen and lastly Ralph Ineson’s thunderous, echoing, deep tones perfectly suit Galactus. Lastly, Paul Walter Hauser’s quirky, egotistical yet good natured Mole Man brings the chuckles.
A Fun, Faithful Debut That Could’ve Used More Breathing Room
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a welcome homecoming (in the similar vein of Spidey’s MCU return) that takes us to a gloriously well realised, alternate universe with ahem fantastic set designs, props, a fittingly bopping tone and a quickly likeable cast. Seeing Galactus on screen (not as a cloud) is epic and the film clearly loves its source material. It is however held back by familiar story rethreads of its predecessors, action that is good, but not mind-blowing and pacing and plot beats that feel on fast forward at points.
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is out now in cinemas
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