The Fantastic Four: First Steps Review
While the Fantastic Four has been a staple in Marvel Comics for years, this group of superheroes has struggled to be adapted on the big screen. From the classic 2005 films to 2015’s massively tragic outing, Marvel has gone through several ups and downs to make this superhero team into something memorable like the Avengers or the X-Men. Now that the rights for the team are under Marvel Studios’ banner, there is this new potential to be explored. For MCU fans, we get that exploration through The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which feels like another win for Marvel Studios following Thunderbolts.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows the iconic team, featuring Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Susan Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Set in a retrofuturistic parallel Earth, the Four have established themselves as the world’s protectors under the Future Foundation. However, when the almighty Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) demand too high a price, the heroes must do everything they can to stop the impending invasion before the Earth is devoured.
Perhaps what makes Fantastic Four: First Steps work is the cast chemistry, which has this genuine realism. Pascal’s Reed is witty and a ‘smart alec’ at that, but he invests so much emotion into protecting the thing Galactus demands: his son, Franklin. There are specific moments where Pascal is able to give this empathetic side to Reed despite all the odds stacked against the Four, especially when he’s trying to understand Franklin’s physiology.
Pascal is paired well with Kirby, who is simply the star of this movie. In every scene Sue’s in, Kirby really captures this passionate love for Franklin that reasons itself out as to not feel self-righteous. Particularly, there’s one moment where Sue gives an inspired speech about protecting what you love and how Sue and Johnny’s past play a role in that. It’s a very strong moment that highlights this motherhood that Sue is trying to fit into, which is only emphasized when Galactus actually invades.
Meanwhile, Quinn and Moss-Bachrach play their particular roles as Johnny and Ben to a tee. Particularly, Johnny’s role sees him trying to unravel the Silver Surfer’s language in a way that’s kind of romantic, yet feels straightforward. On the other hand, Ben feels like he’s relegated to being the humorous figure of the team. Although, the film does have Ben actually develop a relationship with a friend, Rachel (Natasha Lyonne), albeit lingering. Fortunately, both Johnny and Ben do lighten up the mood and some moments of bantering they share are legitimately funny.
As for villains, it’s hard not to admit that Ineson’s Galactus is extremely intimidating, which is only further emphasized thanks to the effects and sound editing. His voice will reverberate throughout any watch no matter which theater you’re in and his colossal stature feels like it has that shakes you up. Garner’s Shalla-Bal, aka Silver Surfer, nearly has that threatening aura as well, but the way Fantastic Four: First Steps builds on her character later on actually makes you want to root for her. Much like Sue, the film slowly treats Shalla-Bal to be this character to have sympathy for because of her circumstances. Given how she was forced to become Galactus’ herald to protect her daughter, it’s hard to not see why she tries to stop the Four even if she hides her true emotions.
That’s the thing (get it?) with Fantastic Four: First Steps: it’s a family-centric movie that happens to be a superhero movie. Through the perspective of the Four, we get to understand how the dynamics of family work around hope and sacrificing for the ones you love. It’s much like the recent Superman film in the sense where their protagonists seek to do what’s emotionally right even though their worlds might turn on them. Matt Shakman and his team showcase this idea perfectly as they infuse the grandeur of the MCU into it. Albeit, the first act does try to rush the Four’s origins and fights with their Earth-based villains, making you think of how much they cut out initially.
Speaking of the grandeur, the visual effects team of Fantastic Four: First Steps really gets put to the test. There are so many visually poppy action sequences, from the Four trying to escape the Silver Surfer through a wormhole to the third act confrontation with Galactus. Some of these effects, from the pre-birth Franklin to Reed getting stretched out extremely thinly, might put some off. However, this doesn’t necessarily feel like a big problem thanks to how Shakman and his team integrate the retro-futuristic aspect of the visuals. This is apparent in some optimistic montages about the world uniting to stop Galactus through these light bridges.
All in all, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a big win for Marvel’s first family as they finally get the cinematic treatment they deserve. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach bring these characters to life wonderfully under Matt Shakman’s vision. This makes me very excited for what Avengers: Doomsday has in store for them and, hopefully, this doesn’t mean that the Fantastic Four won’t be back for more after this event.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in theaters on July 25.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.