The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) is the best film that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done in years, even ever since its start. The four characters are beautifully embodied by both strong castings as well as the actors bringing their best to the role.

Going in, my expectations for this film couldn’t get any lower. I wasn’t even going to go into theaters to watch it, but after seeing Superman (2025) a third time I figured…why not. To my surprise, this film was quite fantastic. Pun intended. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach truly embody the family beautifully- both as individual well-written characters, and in the bonds between all four of them.

Visually, the film has two elements. For one, it has beautiful set design and a 60s retro sense of space- onset its truly a beautiful piece of art. Galactus, he looks great too. However from a technical standpoint, there could’ve been more to be done in terms of also having interesting shots in terms of composition, coloring, and lighting- especially during the final stand against Galactus which would definitely be the most difficult part of the film, visually speaking. For that visually, I’d give the film a 3/5. It had the right pieces but the tools used, not enough was put into it.

The story of how the four family members got their powers and became the global icons, is quite nicely narrated and showcased throughout the exposition of the film. Unlike previous Fantastic Four adaptations, this one is not an origin story but rather jumps right into the tale of the fantastic family; starting with Sue Storm and Reed Richards finding out that they are now expecting a child. So without further ado, let’s jump right in.

Sue Storm and Reed Richards

Vanessa Kirby is a prolific actress and as Sue Storm she embodies her role beautifully. Not only as a wife or “the girl in the middle of boys” stereotype but coming into her own to truly be the heart of this film. With Reed Richards taking on the tactical/science side of things, Sue Storm beautifully embodies the matriarchal and emotional side of things as she leads people to hope in a world that has lost it. When things seem hopeless, she uses everything in her power to bring that light back; even if it is the size of a mustard seed.

Pedro Pascal does a brilliant job portraying Reed Richards who as usual is the smartest man in the world but this time, is also incredibly characterized in that he feels both the deep responsibility to protect his family and the burden that comes with quite literally carrying the weight of the entire world on your shoulders. Especially when it comes a problem you can’t solve, the includes both your child and the world as a whole. I admit I was quite skeptical to see Pascal be cast in the role given how he has been cast in quite a lot of blockbuster Hollywood projects, but he won me over with this film.

Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm

Joseph Quinn nicely plays the role of Johnny Storm. He is the charismatic uncle, with a heart of gold and equally valuable a member to the team as Sue Storm, Reed Richards, and Ben Grimm. Usually in past adaptations of the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm is seen as a joke with nothing else to the character. While this is not inaccurate to the character per-say, it is also reductive to say he is only the joke and that is it. This time however, he is not just this comic relief character but a smart one as well that has his strong passion for space and deep love for the other members of his family. So deep in fact, that it is not difficult for him to be the one to want to make the sacrifice play. Ebon Moss-Bachrach truly plays the role beautifully.

Ben Grimm’s story is the most tragic. While Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and Johnny Storm’s lives are indeed forever changed due to their superpowers, Ben Grimm simply became made of rocks and has super strength. In previous adaptations of the Fantastic Four, his character would be depressed and truly hate himself for it. It is fair that such massive tragedy would take a toll on your mental health, and it is just as important for you to overcome that tragedy by growth. The film doesn’t overcorrect that flaw, but rather shows the trauma that comes with such change as well as being at peace with it and living despite any challenges. Ebon Moss-Bachrach truly did a good job playing the character, which must’ve been hard given how much makeup and CGI this character would require.

The Arrival of Shala Bal

Quickly into the film, we get the arrival of Shala Bal aka Silver Surfer who announces the imminent arrival of her Galactus. He is the destroyer of worlds, choosing to eat planets as chosen by her. Shala Bal is portrayed by Julia Garner who does a strong job in her role, we actually get quite the great backstory. Galactus is portrayed by Ralph Ineson, who does a strong job as well being the menacing gigantic villain.

There was initial controversy as to the casting of Silver Surfer being of a lesser known female version called Shala Bal instead of Norman Reed as usual, however given the plot of the film it did make sense why they didn’t go down the traditional route. Being the charismatic uncle with a heart of gold, Johnny Storm is quick to form a connection with Shala Bal that is almost romantic and truly plays a great job not as some joke but is also key to the plot all the way to the third act of the film.

Hoping to get answers, the Fantastic Four are quick to go to space for the first time since they got their powers in order to negotiate with Galactus’s plans for their world. When they do come face to face however, the target changes quickly which shocks the family to its core. Galactus agrees to spare Earth from destruction, only if Sue and Reed hand over their firstborn child. Of course refusing, we get a truly beautiful chase sequence on foot and through space that gives us what is honestly my favorite on-screen birth scene of all time.

The Sacrifice Play

The adoring public who simply assumed Galactus was easily defeated just as the Fantastic Four defeat all other bad guys they faced, are shocked to find out that for the first time…they have encountered a threat they can’t defeat. Furthermore that they don’t know if the Earth is safe. Many protest wanting them to sacrifice their child to save the world, and others are terrified assuming that it is now the end of the world. All hope is lost.

Inside the giant tower, the family is shocked and struggling to find answers. Reed Richards is panicking over having a problem he doesn’t know how to solve, and burdened with thinking of every possible outcome including…what if handing over their newborn son Franklin to Galactus would save the world. Sue Storm is there for all members of the team as she navigates this while being a mother. Johnny Storm having connected with Shala Ball tries using his passion for space to decipher her language, and Ben Grimm takes care of them by being the one to go out and bring things back home.

Faced with massive protests, Sue Storm bravely holds Franklin in her arm and walks through the crowd. Her speech is something that is truly beautiful, strong to inspire the public with a sense of hope; one that they have lost now that the world is seemingly coming to an end.

“I will not sacrifice my child to protect this world. And I will NOT sacrifice this world to save my child. We will face this together. We will fight this together. And we will defeat this together. As a family.”

Sue Storm

From then on, the Fantastic Four did everything in their power to protect both. The importance of protecting all life; adult and young, is the true thesis of this film. Even if you the only way to protect your family and the world is to move Heaven and Earth (metaphorically), damn it you find a way no matter what.

This is echoed beautifully for the rest of the film as they get into the third act and once and for all defeat Galactus. The third act isn’t easy nor is it rushed, and it wastes no moments to flesh out the characters and how they feel. Reed Richards peaks at being the true genius leader who seeks to accomplish the impossible, Sue Storm at being the heart and soul of the film even if it means sacrificing herself for both the world and her child, Johnny Storm the fun loving uncle willing to do everything he can as well even if it means sacrificing himself, and Ben Grimm as the man with a million reasons to be angry yet he does everything he can as well to save both the child and the world.

Conclusion

★★★★1/2

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) is a beautiful film filled with heart and hope, starring a family that you can’t help but love. Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are the definitive Sue Storm, Reed Richards, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. If you only love superhero films or only love family films, this film is still for you because it is something that is truly phenomenal. It doesn’t shy away with the dark side of family and squabbles, yet it also shows a truly incredible family throughout the film. The world can use more films like this.

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