Alright, I’ll be real with you: I didn’t walk into Fantastic Four: First Steps with sky-high hopes. The franchise’s history is… rough. “Fan4stic” still haunts me like a ghost of bad comic book movies past. But when early access reactions started hyping this one, I had two thoughts: “Wait… is this actually good?” And also, “Oh no, they’re overhyping it. It’s gonna suck.”
Turns out, it doesn’t suck. In fact, it kind of rocks.
My Honest Expectations vs Reality Of Fantastic Four
I expected cringe. I got compelling. I expected another mess. I got a focused, emotionally grounded story with characters that actually felt like family. That was a nice surprise.
Rating: (4.0/5)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Fantastic Four: First Steps |
| Release Date | July 25, 2025 |
| Director | Matt Shakman (WandaVision) |
| Main Cast | Pedro Pascal (Reed), Vanessa Kirby (Sue), Joseph Quinn (Johnny), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben) |
| Runtime | 1h 55m |
Another Universe, Already Established
One of the smartest decisions this movie made? It didn’t drag us through another origin story. We already know who Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben are. And in this universe, they’ve been the Fantastic Four for four years.
There’s no rocket ship crash, no discovery of powers montage. They’re seasoned heroes. That allowed the story to dive into bigger things—like family, loyalty, and Galactus-level threats—without wasting time on what we already know.
Instead of exposition dumps, they did this clever in-universe talk show montage to get new viewers up to speed. It was slick, stylish, and didn’t feel forced. That alone should earn points.
Visual Aesthetic – A Mid-Century Sci-Fi Dream
This film’s look is a chef’s kiss. It feels like someone in the 1960s imagined what 2025 would be like. Think Jetsons-style tech with a gritty modern filter.
It’s refreshing. We’ve seen New York get demolished a hundred times. This world had style—retro, futuristic, weirdly timeless. Perfect backdrop for a superhero team trying to stop a cosmic planet-eater.
The Cast – Everyone Brought Their A-Game
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards – Mustache and All
Pascal owns this role. Sure, the mustache might not scream “Mr. Fantastic,” but he plays the burdened genius with enough weight to make it work. You believe he’s the guy who thinks he’s responsible for saving the world, and you believe he just might be right.
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm – Underrated Yet Powerful
Kirby gives Sue Storm a grounded strength without overselling it. She’s passionate, smart, and she gets involved in every step of the mission. She doesn’t feel like the leader (despite what the promos said), but she definitely feels like the heart.
- Ben Grimm – Heart of Stone, Literally
Ben has his moments. He’s a big, rocky brawler who plays it cool with kids and cracks buildings like peanuts. But the movie doesn’t go as deep into his emotional core as it could have. Still, he’s got soul.
- Johnny Storm – Flame On, With Personality
Joseph Quinn nailed the vibe. Johnny feels like Johnny—confident, cocky, but layered. They didn’t completely neuter the womanizer in him, but he’s also not reduced to a walking punchline. It’s a tough balance, and they mostly pulled it off.
Chemistry and Dynamics In Fantastic Four
You believe these four have been through some things together. The family vibe is strong. There’s banter, conflict, warmth—it’s all there. And that’s crucial for the Fantastic Four. Without that chemistry, the whole thing falls apart.
Galactus – A Cosmic Threat That Actually Felt Scary
Finally, they didn’t make Galactus a cloud. They didn’t just tease him. He shows up, and he’s terrifying. Galactus has this looming, ominous presence. The glowing eyes. That voice—Ineson absolutely nails it. You feel the stakes. You believe this guy eats planets. This is how you do a god-level villain.
Silver Surfer (Shalla-Bal)
They gender-swapped Silver Surfer this time, and honestly? It worked. She had presence and pathos, and there was one moment with her that genuinely hit me in the gut. I kind of wish they explored her more.
Visual Effects – Trailer vs Final Cut Fantastic Four
I saw this on IMAX and… yeah, it looked way better than the trailers suggested. That scene with Reed warping reality mid-fight? Crazy good. VFX actually hit this time.
Remember the memes about bad CGI Silver Surfer? They fixed it. She looks stunning on screen. Johnny’s fire effects? Way better than what the trailers showed. Seems like Marvel actually listened.
The Emotional Core, Pacing, and Runtime Of Fantastic Four
Here’s what I loved: when something emotional happened, they let it sit. No undercutting with quips. No Marvel joke-fest right after a death scene. Just… emotion. It worked. It felt earned.
If I have one major gripe, it’s this: the movie needed 20 more minutes. There’s a moment where it feels like they just wrapped things up too quickly. Like someone pulled the curtain early.
MCU Fatigue vs Standalone Relief
Let’s be honest. Keeping up with the MCU lately has felt like doing taxes. Fantastic Four? This movie doesn’t care what you’ve watched before.
You don’t need to know what Kang is doing. You don’t need to remember that show from three years ago. This movie exists in its own bubble, and I think that’s exactly what the MCU needs right now.
The Marketing & Misdirection – Can We Stop the Rage Bait?
Here’s the thing: before the movie dropped, there were interviews trying to push certain narratives—Sue’s the leader, Johnny’s reformed, etc. But the movie didn’t really back those up. It felt like marketing bait. And I hate that. Just let the film speak for itself.
Mid-Credit and End-Credit Scenes – Worth It?
Yes, and kinda. The mid-credit scene is actually cool—totally worth staying for. The end-credit scene is fluff. It’s fine. You can skip it and not miss much.
Also Read: I Watched The Hunting Wives—Here’s Why I Couldn’t Stop
Pros & Cons of Fantastic Four
| What Worked | What Fell Short |
|---|---|
| Skipping the origin story was a great move | Could’ve been 15-20 minutes longer |
| Mid-century aesthetic is refreshing | Ben Grimm deserved more character focus |
| Pedro Pascal absolutely nailed Reed Richards | Shalla-Bal arc felt slightly undercooked |
| Galactus actually felt terrifying | Some marketing claims don’t match the film |
| Great chemistry between the cast | End-credit scene was forgettable |
| Standalone story — no MCU homework required |
Conclusion Of Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t reinvent the superhero genre, but it finds its own lane and sticks the landing. It’s stylish, heartfelt, and surprisingly coherent. And in an MCU full of cluttered timelines and continuity overload, that feels like a breath of fresh cosmic air.
Final Verdict Of Fantastic Four
Would I call it “fantastic”? Nah. That pun’s going to be in every YouTube title. But it’s a genuinely good time at the movies. A fun, emotional, stylish superhero flick that remembers to care about its characters. That’s enough for me.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to watch any previous MCU movies to understand this one?
Nope. This one stands completely on its own.
Q2: Is Galactus actually in the movie, or just teased?
He’s in it. Fully. And he’s terrifying.
Q3: Is Pedro Pascal a good fit for Reed Richards?
Yes. He brings depth, seriousness, and charm—even with the mustache.
Q4: Is this better than Fan4stic (2015)?
That bar is low. But yes, significantly better in every way.
Q5: Should I wait for streaming or see it in theaters?
If you can swing IMAX, go. The visuals are worth it. Otherwise, still worth watching later.
