The Fantastic Four: First Steps

the fantastic four: first steps

★★★★★

starring: pedro pascal, vanessa kirby, joseph quinn, and ebon moss-bachrach

REVIEWER: Lyall carter

Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer.

In WandaVision, director Matt Shakman crafted a TV series that was unlike anything that had come before in the MCU in film or in television. It was wholly unique in all aspects - its storytelling, character development, and production design along with its steadfast commitment to its sci-fi, comic bookness made it a breath of fresh comic book air. And he’s done it again. Filled with wonder and joy, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a breath of fresh air from the main characters that you fall in love with to the unique, colour-filled highly detailed production design and the themes that ring so true, you ain’t seen nothing like this before. One of my favorite films of 2025 and one of the best films in the MCU. Ever.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

With break neck speed we’re shown how our four heroes got to where they are today, never getting bogged down in exposition or origin stories. This, as well as a simple storyline, allows for the character development to breathe, drawing us into the hearts and lives of Marvel’s First Family. And the time that we get to spend with each character helps to build this deep connection where, especially in the last action-stacked, high stakes final act, you are literally on the edge of your seat, heart in mouth, hoping that the Fantastic Four will all make it through unscathed.

This has got to be the best looking films of the year, the best production design in the MCU. Every corner of the screen is stacked with retro-futuristic detail and popping, vibrant colours to die for that begs for multiple viewings just to soak in more of this world. Thematically The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits deep, exploring themes from parenthood to the human in superhuman and even civic duty which all resonate deeply. Also H.E.R.B.I.E has to be the sweetest robot around.

But a Fantastic Four movie all comes down to the four actors playing the title characters. They’re all phenomenal with incredible, thoroughly believable chemistry. Pascal disappears into the role of Reed so much so that you forget the other roles that made him famous, Vanessa Kirby is an utter powerhouse of strength and vulnerability, Joseph Quinn is incredibly likable, pumped with energy, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach brings the soul of The Thing alive which is no easy task behind all that stone.

Filled with wonder and joy, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a breath of fresh air from the main characters that you fall in love with to the unique, colour-filled highly detailed production design and the themes that ring so true, you ain’t seen nothing like this before. One of my favorite films of 2025 and one of the best films in the MCU. Ever.