The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Yeah, I liked this movie but in a strange way.

No doubt it's a different take on recent Marvel movies: retro and conventional, yet elegant. There's just enough action, depth, and climax, though nothing exceptional. It's gentle and centered around family, making it enjoyable for anyone not just hardcore comic fans. The plot, characters and acting was done very well in my opinion and what sets this movie apart from most marvel movies out there.

Then come the parts that only comic fans might question. How Sue managed to handle Galactus in the final battle, and the portrayal of Galactus's own capabilities, felt a bit questionable. A little too light, I'd say.

I give it an 8, not because it's great, because in the current struggling landscape of marvel movies, it somehow worked and managed to stand out by avoiding any major faults. And you have to look at it from a marvel comics lens. But in some other ways, it's more of a 7.

Hopefully, Marvel is on track to gradually bring back the glory, intense and climax of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame to the big screen. Fingers crossed!

When it comes to adapting The Fantastic Four for the big screen, there have been 4 previous failed attempts (including the unreleased 1994 rights retaining film). So with the bar already pretty low, the MCU had a big challenge not only in these characters' interpretation but also the step off entry for Phase 6. Because if even Marvel Studios couldn't faithfully adapt this family for the silver screen, then no one honestly can. And I'm happy to report that I really enjoyed First Steps.

What's really refreshing about the film is that you can jump into this movie without prior MCU knowledge as this film stands on its own in Earth 828 (numbers used as an homage to Jack Kirby's DOB). Even with the aesthetics of the 1960's, director Matt Shakman throws us into an intrepid and exciting universe with little time spent on the Fantastic Four's origin story. The origin story still gets the exposition hand out there but within the confines of a news montage celebrating the team's heroics early on.

The Fantastic Four here, feel very fleshed out and realized with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss Bachrach's portrayals all uniformly coexisting with excellent banter that the other films tried but skipped out on. Their family dynamics are also on full display in the both quieter moments and the action sequences.

Galactus was the character I was the most worried about. Because thai could have easily been another MODOK situation. Thankfully that's not the case as Ralph Ineson's iteration as the planet harvester. For one, he's not a damn cloud, and two he is very menacing and can cause some serious damage. His herald Silver Surfer is also great and has the best action sequence in the whole film.

The music from Michael Giacchino is great as well as another great superhero score. Alongside the brooding tune for The Batman, his cheery tune for the Fantastic Four is instantly synonymous with them and recognizable.

With Thunderbolts, Superman and now Fantastic Four First Steps, I feel more hopeful than ever before for superhero flicks especially with Marvel back on their winning streak and DC starting their fresh new universe.

The movie is set in the 1960s, and I really liked the retro vibe. The visuals, costumes, and music all felt fresh and different from other Marvel movies. Pedro Pascal did a solid job as Reed Richards, and Vanessa Kirby was great as Sue Storm.

The story was okay, nothing too deep. It felt more like an introduction to the characters than a full, exciting story. There wasn't a strong villain presence either-Galactus didn't feel dangerous at all, and Silver Surfer barely had any screen time.

There were a few fun moments and some nice character scenes, but the pacing was off sometimes. Parts of the film felt slow or a bit disconnected. Not much tension or emotion overall.

In short: it's a decent movie to kick off the new Fantastic Four era, but nothing special. I'm curious to see what comes next, but this one didn't blow me away.

Visually, this film was a standout with stunning cinematography, impressive CGI, and a unique retro aesthetic that felt refreshingly different from the usual superhero fare. The story was fairly basic and the short runtime didn't allow enough depth to fully explore the villain's motivations. The casting was nearly perfect, with every actor bringing their character to life in a way that made you love the team not just as a whole but as individuals. Overall, I'd rate it a solid 7.2 out of 10. It's a fun, visually rich ride and I'm genuinely excited to see where the story goes next. The post-credit scene was a 9 out of 10, one of the most dramatic and thrilling I've seen in years.

This film stands out as one of the finest entries the Marvel Cinematic Universe has delivered in years. In an era where superhero fatigue is often discussed, it manages to feel fresh, engaging, and surprisingly well crafted. The only notable drawback is its relatively brief runtime, which, while keeping the pace brisk, also leaves you wishing for a little more breathing room to explore certain moments in greater depth. In fact, it occasionally feels as though certain scenes or connective sequences were trimmed or removed.

Within this tight framework, the balance of elements is remarkably effective. The humor is sharp without feeling forced, adding levity at the right points to prevent the narrative from becoming overly heavy. The moments of seriousness carry genuine emotional weight, offering stakes that feel both personal and impactful. While the action is somewhat limited compared to other MCU installments, what is present is well choreographed, visually appealing, and integrated into the story rather than serving as mere spectacle.

The performances across the board are commendable, with each actor bringing nuance to their roles. That said, one lingering wish is for more focus on certain characters. Reed Richards and Ben Grimm in particular could have benefitted from additional screen time to deepen their arcs. Likewise, Galactus, though imposing, is largely confined to narration; a flashback or more direct involvement would have heightened his menace. Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer, is compelling, but additional sequences exploring her homeworld, its culture, and the dire circumstances that forced her sacrifice would have enriched her arc. Seeing the emotional weight of her decision to become Galactus's herald, torn between saving her planet and surrendering her freedom, could have created a more powerful audience connection.

By the end, you may still hope these elements are expanded in a sequel, but you will not resent their absence here. And yes, it is most certainly rewatchable and thoroughly enjoyable.