In Review: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Synopsis: Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, the Silver Surfer.

The Story

The Fantastic Four: First Steps picks up four years after the cosmic event that gave the team their extraordinary powers. The story opens on an emotional note, with Sue Storm discovering she’s pregnant and sharing the news with Reed Richards. It’s a deeply significant moment for the couple, who had long given up hope of having a child and had made peace with that reality.

The media within the film highlights this personal milestone by revisiting the team’s origin story and celebrating how they’ve come to represent the very best of humanity. One notable detail is the absence of any other superheroes in this universe — a creative choice that mirrors the early Fantastic Four comics from the 1960s, which is also when the film is set.

As the team prepares for the arrival of baby Franklin Richards, Earth receives an unexpected and ominous visitor: the Silver Surfer. His appearance signals the impending arrival of Galactus — a cosmic entity who devours entire worlds. With the fate of the planet at stake, the Fantastic Four launch a daring mission to confront Galactus and attempt to negotiate for Earth’s survival — hoping to keep their home from becoming his next galactic snack.

The Acting

To be honest, I went into this movie a little unsure about the casting of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards. But my doubts were quickly cast aside within the opening scenes, thanks to the convincing chemistry between Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, who plays Sue Storm. Their dynamic feels authentic and emotionally grounded, anchoring the film from the start.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach delivers strong work as Ben Grimm, bringing heart and weight to the character, while Joseph Quinn turns in a solid performance as Johnny Storm. Notably, this version of Johnny has more emotional depth than we’ve seen in previous adaptations — even playing a key role in uncovering a pivotal piece of information that helps drive the story forward.

Ralph Ineson lends his distinctive voice to Galactus, bringing a sense of gravitas and ominous power to the villain that helps elevate the threat level throughout the film.

Overall

To be honest, the Fantastic Four have never been a personal favorite of mine. I never disliked them — I just always preferred the X-Men. That said, I wanted to see this film because the Fantastic Four are Marvel’s First Family — the original superhero team that truly broke through into pop culture.

I loved that the filmmakers chose to set the story in the 1960s, staying true to the tone and spirit of the original comics. Before the film began, I chatted with the guy sitting across from me, who shared a fond memory from the comics: the sense that the Fantastic Four existed in a world where they were the only superheroes. The movie absolutely benefits from this approach. It raises the stakes — knowing that it’s up to this one team to save the planet. No Spider-Man. No X-Men. No ground-level heroes to call in. Just Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm — the best that humanity has to offer.

The visual effects are impressive throughout, particularly in the climactic sequence where Galactus storms through New York, tearing down buildings as he closes in on his prize. The visuals used for the team’s final strategy against him are also striking and inventive.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or have only a passing interest in Marvel’s First Family, Fantastic Four: First Steps delivers a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience. You’re going to have a good time.