The Fantastic Four: First Steps review

The Fantastic Four: First Steps does something no other entry in this storied franchise has achieved: it makes the world’s most famous super-family feel not only vital, but visionary. Marvel Studios, under the steady hand of Matt Shakman, doesn’t just breathe new life into Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny—they build an alternate 1960s playground rich in possibility, tension, and aesthetic joy. The result is blockbuster cinema that fuses dazzling invention with genuine soul, proving that style and substance can propel superhero storytelling into new orbits.

A Universe Where Progress Feels Possible

From the outset, the film’s world-building is energetic and immersive. Shakman’s alternate New York gleams in hues of aquamarine and haze-gold. Skyscrapers bristle with satellite dishes, and the Baxter Building stands like a temple to human ingenuity—an axis where city planners, scientists, and world leaders meet. The cityscape is alive with Future Foundation parades and retro-futuristic detail: spiral monorails, lab-coated schoolchildren, and billboards preaching cooperation through science. There’s a heady optimism that feels audacious in today’s superhero landscape and refreshes the genre’s sometimes stagnant palette.

The Four as Icons—And as Flawed People

The chemistry between the leads is nothing short of revelatory. Pedro Pascal portrays Reed Richards as a paradox—exhilarated by creation, yet quietly wary of what his inventions could mean for humanity and his soon-to-arrive child. Kirby’s Sue Storm is resolute and multifaceted, capturing both the sensibility of a peace-seeking scientist and the honest anxieties of someone at the heart of world events.

Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is both heart and shield, his gruff exterior masking a deep need to belong. Moss-Bachrach deploys humor and hurt in a careful balance, making The Thing the glue of the team. Johnny Storm, brought to vibrant life by Joseph Quinn, is as mature in his ambitions as he is immature in his need for attention; his rivalry and affection for the others ring true, not forced. Together, these four move, fight, and argue as only family can.

Villains That Echo, Not Overwhelm

Ralph Ineson embodies Galactus with palpable gravity, letting the cosmic threat land with weight rather than spectacle alone. Instead of flattening him into a faceless force, the film treats Galactus as a symbol of nature’s impartial devastation—huge, relentless, and strangely mournful. Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer stands out as a tragic figure divided between loyalty and awakening conscience, her movements across city and space imbued with vulnerability and poise.

Conflicts feel planetary and personal. Every confrontation with Galactus mirrors Reed and Sue’s internal debate: Is it wise—or fair—to build a future when so much is uncertain? The script stirs relatable anxiety into its wildest sequences, anchoring the cosmic scale in emotional struggle.

Craft & Sound: Details That Resonate

Set and costume design blend 1960s optimism with pop-modern flourishes. The Excelsior and Fantasticar are feats of analog design, glittering with dials and spinning turbines. Labs burst with functional anachronism—a vision of the future as imagined by dreamers of the past. Jess Hall’s cinematography lingers on tactile surfaces, from city canyons to the swirl of interdimensional energy.

Michael Giacchino’s musical score is tastefully eclectic—brisk jazz punctuates the team’s rapid-fire debates, while warm strings chart their more vulnerable moments. H.E.R.B.I.E. is a crowd-pleaser, a robotic sidekick rendered with both practical charm and knowing, deadpan quips.

Final Impression

The Fantastic Four: First Steps isn’t just a new take—it’s a confident reimagining that draws on Marvel’s traditions but never feels beholden to them. It spotlights the risks and joys of invention, the fragility of hope, and the glorious mess of family ties—offering fans and first-timers alike a rare kind of wonder. If you watch, stream, or download it online, you’ll experience a film less about powers than about the courage to shape a better future, even when tomorrow is terrifyingly uncertain.

How to watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps online

After theaters on July 25, 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will stream on Disney+ (with subscription and download access). The film will also be available for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, both offering download and streaming.The Fantastic Four: First Steps will likely appear on Hulu or Peacock later. Early digital access will not be free or unblocked. The US age rating is PG-13, keeping it suitable for most teens and adults.