The Fantastic Four 2025

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

A Retro-Futuristic Homecoming for Marvel's First Family

★★★½☆

A complete triumph of hope and wonder that finally does Galactus justice.

The FIRST superhero family of Marvel Comics finally comes home to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After several mediocre iterations, First Steps succeeds by leaning into a retro-futuristic alternate Earth. This aesthetic choice makes the optimistic, loving, and hope-filled nature of the family feel refreshing rather than old-fashioned.

"To see an effective, formidable, comic-accurate Galactus on screen is a bucket list item that many comic book fans can now cross off their list."

— Review Perspective

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Matt Shakman
• Starring: Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm)
• Antagonists: Ralph Ineson (Galactus), Julia Garner (Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer)
• Music: Michael Giacchino

The Vision

Director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) creates a jaw-dropping production design reminiscent of a futuristic 1960s "Tomorrowland." The film is supported by an incredible, world-building score from Michael Giacchino that serves as a triumph for the genre. The special effects are top-notch, seamlessly integrating a comic-accurate Galactus and a breathtaking space-chase sequence.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Musical Legacy: Michael Giacchino composed a "Fantastic Four Theme" well before filming began, which was used to set the tone for the production.
• The Thing's New Look: Ebon Moss-Bachrach's performance as Ben Grimm utilizes high-end performance capture to ensure he feels like a tangible, solid rock presence alongside his human teammates.
• Retro-Future Brooklyn: The film's 1960s alternate-NYC was heavily inspired by the "Space Age" architecture and "World of Tomorrow" concepts of the era.

✅ Pros

• Arguably the best musical score ever for a superhero film.
• Breathtaking, comic-accurate execution of Galactus.
• Infectious, non-cynical optimism that lands perfectly for families.

❌ Cons

• Suffers slightly from proximity to other "optimistic misfit" projects like Thunderbolts and Superman.

🏆 Final Verdict

As a father, seeing the joy and wonder in my kids' eyes while watching this film makes it impossible to be cynical. First Steps is a hopeful, fantasy-filled journey that finally gives the Fantastic Four the MCU entry they deserve.

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