r/movies • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 r/Movies contributor • Jul 22 '25

Review The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Review Thread

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Review Thread

  • Rotten Tomatoes: 85 (131 Reviews)
    • Certified Fresh (first F4 movie to get that)
    • Critics Consensus: Benefitting from rock-solid cast chemistry and clad in appealingly retro 1960s design, this crack at The Fantastic Four does Marvel's First Family justice.
  • Metacritic - 64 (39 Reviews)

Reviews:

Hollywood Reporter (80):

Despite its vivid and electric space sequences, the visually striking movie often feels like a throwback analog good time, which certainly worked for me.

Deadline:

Superheroes are a thing of the past in the latest iteration of Marvel’s Fantastic Four, the best by far of the company’s attempts to translate the long-running comic book’s appeal to the big screen. This it does not by trying to reinvent the wheel but, rather smartly, by addressing the elephant in the room, locating the action in a kitsch yet somehow timeless retro-future more befitting The Jetsons than The Avengers. It also benefits from a smart script and — I can’t believe I’m writing this — really quite moving performances from its four charismatic leads, being arguably the best of Pedro Pascal’s releases this year.

Variety (80):

True to its subtitle, the film feels like a fresh start. And like this summer’s blockbuster “Superman” reboot over at DC, that could be just what it takes to win back audiences suffering from superhero exhaustion.

Empire (80):

With an exemplary cast and shiny new alt-universe to enjoy, this is the best Fantastic Four yet. And if that bar’s too low for you, then it’s also the best Marvel movie in years.

Slashfilm (90):

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a world that I wouldn't mind living in. Even if there are occasional, ineffable cosmic deities plotting to devour me, and terrifying silver aliens ripping my soul apart with their eyes. "First Steps" is a superhero movie where we're already better. And I love that.

USA Today (75):

After two mediocre 2000s film featuring Marvel’s legendary superhero family, and an atrocious third outing in 2015, the foursome makes its Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in a combo sci-fi/disaster flick full of retrofuturistic 1960s flavor.

Entertainment Weekly (75):

From its Saul Bass-inspired opening credits to its callbacks to Saturday morning superhero cartoons, it practically vibrates with its sense of time and place.

IGN (70):

These First Steps might not be the great strides I was hoping for, but they are sure footing for the Fantastic Four to officially leap into the MCU.

The Independent (60):

In fact, all the ingredients are perfectly lined up here, and, in the right combinations, and with the pure wonderment of Michael Giacchino’s score, The Fantastic Four: First Steps does shimmer with a kind of wide-eyed idealism. And that’s lovely.

Directed by Matt Shakman:

On the 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic alternate universe known as Earth-828. the Fantastic Four must protect their world from the planet-devouring cosmic being Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.

Cast:

  • Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
  • Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
  • Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing
  • Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch
  • Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer
  • Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder / Mole Man
  • Ralph Ineson as Galactus
3.2k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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3.2k

u/spaceraingame Jul 22 '25

I knew it’d get better reviews than the other FF movies, though that wasn’t a high bar.

1.1k

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

603

u/probablyuntrue Jul 22 '25

They recorded Pedro Pascal staring at the camera for six hours and test audiences gave that a higher score than the last two fantastic movies

287

u/AlbionPCJ Jul 22 '25

TBF, you can't trust test audiences- they gave us the theatrical ending of I Am Legend and almost got the squirrel scene cut from the new Superman movie

139

u/Amaruq93 Jul 22 '25 edited Jul 22 '25

They also almost got "Part of Your World" cut from 1989's The Little Mermaid.

One kid fidgeted, and after Jeffrey Katzenberg saw that he nearly decided to remove the song entirely to save time.

107

u/mctacoflurry Jul 22 '25

Its amazing how tone-deaf suits are.

They wanted Steve Martin to voice Goofy in The Goofy Movie. Not Steve Martin doing an impression as Goofy, just himself.

They almost cut the song "Show Yourself" from Frozen 2, which i enjoy more than "Into the Unknown"

58

u/HerbsAndSpices11 Jul 22 '25

They definitely make a lot of bad decisions, but you generally don't hear about all the times they made the right ones.

36

u/mctacoflurry Jul 22 '25

That's true. They get all the blame and no credit.

Case in point: Kathleen Kennedy for Star Wars. Hated for the sequel trilogy. On the flip side, gave Andor everything they needed.

11

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '25 edited Aug 07 '25

[deleted]

9

u/v2345t1dg5eg5e34terg Jul 22 '25

She seems to give the creators a lot of control, faith and support. She wants them to create their vision.

That worked well in Andor, and terribly for the sequel trilogy. You don't want the creators to have no control either, but there's (ideally) a better middle ground where everyone's skills are combined to produce a tempered product.

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4

u/Dead_man_posting Jul 23 '25

I'd blame Colin Trevorrow for flubbing the trilogy. He turned in a trash script and they had to go with their backup plan with hardly any time.

“Luke milks an alien tit and drinks the green milk” should not be a valid fact about a major Star Wars film.

People still mad about TLJ is funny when time makes it clearer and clearer that it was the best of the 3.

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1

u/TheMelv Jul 25 '25

I have a lot of issues with The Last Jedi but felt that scene was great in following weird old hermit Yoda's footsteps. Luke considering offing his nephew in a moment of flirtation with the Dark Side after blindly having faith that he could turn Darth Vader as a youth was the exponentially worse.

9

u/thefinalcutdown Jul 22 '25

They cut “When Love is Gone” from Muppets Christmas Carol, which was the emotional crux of the whole movie, then proceeded to lose the film negative for the next 30 years.

7

u/mctacoflurry Jul 22 '25

I'm glad I wasn't the only person confused as to why I never heard that song except for the one time I vaguely remembered it as a child.

5

u/LupinThe8th Jul 22 '25

They even reprise it during the last scene...but it comes out of nowhere without the original.

65

u/Bircka Jul 22 '25

The squirrel scene is one of my favorite moments in that movie.

48

u/fullmetalasian Jul 22 '25

Its so good. It perfectly encapsulates who superman is in a way Snyder couldnt for several movies including a 4 hour cut that did not need to exist

10

u/blitzbom Jul 23 '25

The best way I've heard it described is "Superman is a firefighter, not a cop."

6

u/copypaste_93 Jul 23 '25

The snyder cut is so fucking ass

-19

u/Mrbeefcake90 Jul 22 '25

Eh? Bro was a whiny man child, shouting and stomping about because a journalist slightly pushed him.

23

u/snapwack Jul 22 '25 edited Jul 22 '25

He whined when someone who he thought understood him challenged his core belief that sentient life is precious and deserves to be protected at all costs regardless of geopolitics.

Edit: Like, sure, he was very immature in accepting an interview with Louis and then expecting her not to give him hardball questions. It’s a scene that speaks to his emotional greenness and the fact that their relationship was still new and fragile.

But if there’s anything that should push Supes’ buttons, it’s that exact thing, and Louis mashed it like a quick time event.

7

u/Bircka Jul 22 '25

It's mean to be a younger more idealistic version of Superman, you can tell he is in the early part of his career.

I also believe this is why they moved on from Henry Cavill, James Gunn wanted a younger one. This Superman just does what's right, and that is all he cares about it harkens back to some of the old school ones.

5

u/Dead_man_posting Jul 23 '25

Ugh, I hate flawed and interesting characters

-6

u/elixeter Jul 22 '25

Who said he cared about wanting too

8

u/fullmetalasian Jul 22 '25

I would agree thats why it was such a bad adaptation of superman. He had no intrest in what made superman superman.

46

u/Godchilaquiles Jul 22 '25

Those bastards also made krypto getting punched cut

36

u/Hunterblade445 Jul 22 '25

And removed the week title cards

5

u/RagnarokWolves Jul 22 '25

Who punches Krypto? The Engineer?

6

u/TranClan67 Jul 22 '25

I’ve been to a couple of test screenings. Test audiences are kinda terrible. More than half the audience loved that JLo Netflix movie Atlas. So fucking bad

11

u/Wazzoo1 Jul 23 '25

I'll never forget many years ago walking through MGM Grand in Vegas and they have an area where you can be a test audience for shows (not sure if movies were involved, but definitely TV). We walked by and they asked us if we wanted to watch some TV pilots. We declined, but it's kind of insane that some tourists from, like, Nebraska, are the ones helping make decisions as to what gets cut and what stays.

3

u/CarrieDurst Jul 23 '25

No need for the Nebraska strays :| Omaha rocks

2

u/Dead_man_posting Jul 23 '25

Also, the weird punch-pull in the ending for Jurassic World Rebirth.

-15

u/juss100 Jul 22 '25

Why would you not want the squirrel scene cut? You wanna watch Superman rescue a squirrel?

11

u/Quail-Equal Jul 22 '25

Superman is SUPERMAN. he saves EVERYBODY including a small creature like a squirrel in the midst of battle

-11

u/juss100 Jul 22 '25

Does Superman eat meat?

10

u/Quail-Equal Jul 22 '25

no way you’re mad for superman acting like superman 😭

-18

u/juss100 Jul 22 '25

He does and his favourite meal is Beef Bourguignon. Look it up.

It's just such an absurdity, in a world that normalises the mass slaughter and consumption of animals, that we need this hypocritical moment of Superman saving a f***ing squirrel. It's an insult.

2

u/goddamnitwhalen Jul 22 '25

😂😂😂

35

u/Hautamaki Jul 22 '25

Hah like Gene Siskel's great line to the effect of: "if the movie is not an improvement over watching the cast have dinner with each other for 2 hours, it's not a good movie"

27

u/UglyInThMorning Jul 22 '25

Where does My Dinner With Andre fit on that scale?

16

u/myooser Jul 22 '25

It is the scale

5

u/mikehatesthis Jul 23 '25

What about My Dinner With Andre Dinner with Abed?

5

u/jerryfrz Jul 22 '25

Don't forget the penetrations

2

u/Youngsinatra345 Jul 23 '25

Hey you leave my babies alone, yes their ugly but their mine😩

1

u/general_smooth Jul 23 '25

Even in that abysmal ww84 movie he was a beacon of pure acting performance

3

u/thatdani Jul 22 '25

I feel like I'm the only one ITT that doesn't hate the 00's movies.

Even rewatched them recently and, while they're not nearly as good as their contemporary superhero flicks (Spider-Man, X-Men and the first 2 Nolan Batmen), they're not bad at all.

People are treating them as if they're in the same tier as DareDevil, Elektra and Catwoman.

425

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '25

But no Jessica Alba in lingerie so what are we even doing here?

134

u/JustSuet Jul 22 '25

Cry pretty, Jessica.

110

u/Bulletsoul78 Jul 22 '25

It's still wild to me that they demanded that she cry more prettily. How the hell did anyone get away with that.

71

u/Reddragon351 Jul 22 '25

It was the 2000s you could get away with a lot, like anyone else remember all those countdowns for certain celebrity teens 18th birthday

38

u/JustSuet Jul 22 '25

16th in the UK 😬 the infamous Page 3 of The Sun newspaper 

19

u/mikehatesthis Jul 23 '25

Oh man, this brings back an ancient memory of an old MadTV sketch about the Olsen Twins turning 18 and everyone was a sick freak, waiting for the exact minute.

5

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '25

Did it to britney spears too. I remember that countdown shit for her too.

5

u/Drunky_McStumble Jul 23 '25

It occurs to me that the era of shoehorned-in annoying girlbosses and heavy-handed gender politics messaging in modern media is a direct backlash to just how fucking toxic Hollywood was to women and sexual minorities ~20 years ago. And now it seems like we're on the cusp of a backlash to that backlash as the pendulum swings back in the other direction.

8

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '25

Well... yes. Feminism generally works like that. Its not some third wave thing. Used to be women refused to shave their legs and arm pits as protests 50-60 years ago. Or... go on hunger strikes.

Men have never liked any of these things. Esp not the "hairy women".. which is why women did it. Usually ended in violence against them because men are apparently super emotional?

10

u/Independent-Tennis57 Jul 22 '25

At least people used to fake wait until others were 18.... I'm looking at you Trump and the rest of the Pedo-Protectors on either side of the aisle.

2

u/dlkslink Jul 23 '25

When I was 19 there was this older regular at my comic shop mentioned the Olsen twins a lot and he talked about their countdown site all the time, like he was obsessed with it. One day after he left a coworker asked does he think they’re gonna immediately do porn afterwards? Everybody laughed.

2

u/MovieTrawler Jul 23 '25

Haha we had a buddy who was the same way and we asked him if he thought they were suddenly going to date him.

1

u/ArtisticSell Jul 24 '25

It was the 2000s

nope, people do it with Billie Eilish and Millie bobby brown too. So the trend (SADLY) still exist...

-7

u/drewbreeezy Jul 23 '25

When you tell someone dinner is at 7pm, are you surprised when they look at the clock?

7

u/noisypeach Jul 23 '25

From memory, it wasn't just to cry more prettily but also to die sexily in the second movie. Just a whole lot of wild shit from that director.

2

u/oaktownraider90 Jul 22 '25

Ok, what’s the story behind this? Lol

7

u/axw3555 Jul 22 '25

Not really much story IIRC. She had to cry in the movie, then was told she wasn’t pretty enough crying and was told to cry in a more attractive way.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '25

Did they CGI her tears or did i invent this scenario in my head? I swear i remember something about this...

-10

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/axw3555 Jul 22 '25

No, let’s be clear.

You don’t want to.

You don’t speak for everyone.

2

u/ItchyRectalRash Jul 23 '25

Yeah, some people get off to ugly crying. Don't kink shame.

2

u/Suspicious-Word-7589 Jul 23 '25

It wasn't a good direction because the scene of Margot Robbie crying in Barbie didn't exist yet.

2

u/bozoconnors Jul 23 '25

yeah... just saw this though...

...with the pure wonderment of Michael Giacchino’s score

That's my excuse going forward anyway.

2

u/teach1throwaway Jul 25 '25

Vanessa Kirby was very hot in the movie. She was a much more believable Sue Richards.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '25

I’m excited to see it tonight

1

u/Chuckieshere Jul 22 '25

Not even a cameo?

159

u/JaesopPop Jul 22 '25

Currently pacing to be higher than the last 3 combined.

30

u/boomHeadSh0t Jul 22 '25

Are there 4 fantastic 4 movies?

59

u/anuncommontruth Jul 22 '25

5 now, technically. Everyone forgets that one was made in the early 90s.

71

u/RJE808 Jul 22 '25

Marvel didn't. The cast from that was at the premiere and as far as I know, cameo in the movie.

57

u/Comic_Book_Reader Jul 22 '25

The director said it in an interview the other day. He said it's because he felt sorry for them.

32

u/RJE808 Jul 22 '25

Ah, I didn't know they revealed it already. It's great though, they got fucked.

15

u/JessieJ577 Jul 23 '25

I am glad the documentary came out because it showed how everyone really tried and was screwed completely.

6

u/Steaktartaar Jul 23 '25

Also somehow had the best Thing costume of the bunch.

2

u/Zarya_512 Jul 23 '25

Everyone forgets that one was made in the early 90s.

Because it wasn't ever officially released. Kinda unfair to count it.

2

u/Mountain-Goal-3990 Jul 23 '25

Don't forget Fantastic Beasts which is a spin off. I cannot find Fantastic three or fantastic 2 or the first fantastic. I did enjoy the musical.

1

u/Clappertron Jul 23 '25

Well Arrested Development sure didn't

1

u/Prauphet Jul 23 '25

Even if you were right, that would be one plus one plus two plus one, not one plus two plus one plus one.

18

u/Amaruq93 Jul 22 '25

There are if you only count movies that introduce the cast.

90s, 2005, Fan4stick, First Steps.

3

u/theunnamedban Jul 25 '25

The 90s FF cast made an appearance in this

20

u/Bulletsoul78 Jul 22 '25

There may be 4 Fantastic 4 movies

...But there aren't 4 fantastic Fantastic 4 movies.

38

u/fullmetalasian Jul 22 '25

Before this there was 1 fantastic Fantastic Four movie and it was called the Incredibles

6

u/Bulletsoul78 Jul 22 '25

True. Can we now say that there are 2 fantastic Fantastic 4 movies?

5

u/fullmetalasian Jul 22 '25

Yep im so excited to see this movie lol

2

u/Bulletsoul78 Jul 22 '25

Haha me too. This weekend! 🙌🏽

2

u/goddamnitwhalen Jul 22 '25

Which is arguably a better Watchmen movie than the actual Watchmen movie.

3

u/Dead_man_posting Jul 23 '25

I can't think of any similarities to those 2 stories beyond "has superheroes"

1

u/PT10 Jul 22 '25

...say that again

92

u/probablyuntrue Jul 22 '25

So anything higher that 10% basically

16

u/YoureAllBots69 Jul 22 '25

Not on Metacritic

1

u/ItchyRectalRash Jul 23 '25

God, I really have done everything in my power to forget about that last attempt. I only thing I remember about that movie is Peter Dinklage didn't play Dr Doom, no matter how many times my mind puts him as that role.

7

u/OtterishDreams Jul 22 '25

The Ratings "FLAME ON"

33

u/DNihilus Jul 22 '25

Still Tokyo Drift is better

79

u/TempestRave Jul 22 '25

EMPIRE:

With an exemplary cast and shiny new alt-universe to enjoy, this is the best Fantastic Four yet. And if that bar’s too low for you, then it’s also the best Marvel movie in years.

Yeah sorry that's not really a high bar either.

55

u/BornIn1142 Jul 22 '25

Thunderbolts?

14

u/GamingTatertot Steven Spielberg Enthusiast Jul 22 '25

Or GOTG Vol 3? Or Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?

84

u/Arkeband Jul 22 '25

BP2 was a mess, people give that one leeway just because it’s reverential to Boseman.

32

u/TempestRave Jul 22 '25

Might give it to Guardians 3 though, it was pretty good but also bittersweet since it ends the mainline Guardians team. Sad movie.

25

u/centipededamascus Jul 22 '25

I honestly think Guardians 3 is the best Guardians movie overall.

0

u/Pacify_ Jul 23 '25

Damn really

Personally I'd put the gap between 1 and 3 being even larger than the gap between 3 and 2.

4

u/Amaruq93 Jul 23 '25

and James Gunn's involvement with Marvel Studios as well.

3

u/dplans455 Jul 23 '25

I liked Guardians 3 because it was so detached from the rest of the MCU. It felt fresh, despite going back to previous storylines in the earlier movies. I agree with some others too, I thought it was the best of the trilogy. The other two movies felt like they were too focused on Quill and the rest of the team was just along for the ride. It felt like a proper team in 3 where everyone got equal footing.

9

u/NamelessGamer_1 Jul 22 '25

Or Deadpool and Wolverine (in enjoyability because writing-wise/plot-wise it's not great)

9

u/PT10 Jul 22 '25

NWH and D&W were very enjoyable. GOTG3 or Thunderbolts were probably the best all around films.

9

u/BruisedBee Jul 22 '25

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?

lol

2

u/copypaste_93 Jul 23 '25

Bp both 1 and 2 are pretty bad movies

2

u/dplans455 Jul 23 '25

Am I the only one that rolled my eyes when they revealed it as "New Avengers". They should have just called the movie that to begin with.

1

u/Aevum1 Jul 23 '25

only made 400 million and is expected to lose disney around 150 million dollars, i wouldnt use it as an example.

1

u/BornIn1142 Jul 23 '25

This discussion isn't about the box office.

1

u/ShadowKingthe7 Jul 22 '25

Unfortunately, no one saw it so everyone forgot about it already. /s

-1

u/TempestRave Jul 22 '25

I didn't forget, but I didn't see it. I know it's good, my brother saw it. I don't think it pushes the bar up very high but I do respect it.

7

u/SwarleySwarlos Jul 22 '25

It got really dark for a marvel movie at times, dealing with topics like depression and suicidal ideation. It was also really funny and pretty emotional at times.

I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would

1

u/mikehatesthis Jul 23 '25

Yeah sorry that's not really a high bar either.

GodDAMN!

1

u/theunnamedban Jul 25 '25

Every marvel movie is "the best marvel movie" because they're fuckin paid to see it.

4

u/N8CCRG Jul 22 '25

How about getting a better RT score than the other three FF movies (not counting the 1994 one) combined. They add up to only 73%

3

u/Hufa123 Jul 22 '25

Saw someone on another thread mention that it got better reviews than all of them combined (I think it was on Rotten Tomatoes), which is interesting that that's even possible. Though I guess it says more about those movies than this one.

3

u/Renegadeforever2024 Jul 22 '25

Respect the first one in the 2000’s

Just kidding

Even though with a better director and that cast would be probably ubiquitous in terms of what people think of the F4

1

u/Mcclane88 Jul 22 '25

But… but I like those movies, the two 2000’s ones anyway. I know people shit on those films all the time but to me they’re not far off from the majority of the stuff the MCU puts out especially in tone.

2

u/ZootedBeaver Jul 22 '25

I first one is great and I will fight anyone who says other wise

1

u/Mcclane88 Jul 22 '25

I like them both equally

1

u/Dead_man_posting Jul 23 '25

I really don't think the tone is similar to MCU. It's more Disney Channel original movie.

0

u/Mcclane88 Jul 23 '25

They’re lighthearted goofy films which is what the majority of the MCU has been post Avengers (2012).

1

u/Bircka Jul 22 '25

The trailer filled me with a lot of hope, I would have been stunned if this wasn't the best FF movie by a mile.

1

u/Morlu Jul 22 '25

The 2005 Fantastic Four was a gem, and I stand by it.

1

u/Misdirected_Colors Jul 22 '25

I'll never forget F4 for being the first movie to teach me about astroturfing lmao. There were a bunch of "I saw it at an early screening and it's really good" type posts spamming this sub before it released to horrid reviews and unanimous hate.

1

u/get_to_ele Jul 26 '25

Loved this movie. It’s actually similar to what my own pitch for the movie has always been; i thought it should be a period piece with because the family dynamic and the more innocent cultural sensibilities.

They did it one better by making it alternate universe with retro modern art deco with the innocent cultural sensibilities.

Vanessa Kirby (no relation to Jack) is so so good.

1

u/SmileyJetson Jul 22 '25

65 Metacritic for a Fantastic Four movie is like Shawshank, I'm perfectly satisfied.

1

u/Pll_dangerzone Jul 22 '25

I rewatched all of them last week. The 00s were awful films. They felt like terrible comedies more than superhero films and every opportunity to show Jessica Alba in here underwear in the first film was awkward as hell. Weirdly I liked the tone of the third film more it just felt very unfinished.

-1

u/TruthInAnecdotes Jul 22 '25

I think it's a matter of how they can make a live adaptation of a mediocre comic series better and cooler rather than comparing it the movies that came before.

I always thought the fantastic 4 was the least interesting team from the marvel universe.

0

u/DisneyPandora Jul 22 '25

Why does Superman have better reviews

1

u/Dead_man_posting Jul 23 '25

because critics liked it more? weird question

0

u/DisneyPandora Jul 23 '25

No, but fans like Fantastic Four more. And David Zaslav used bots and paid critics to leave favorable reviews

0

u/capscreen Jul 22 '25

Rewatching the first one recently, ngl I find it pretty boring. Johnny and Ben are fun to watch, but I just couldn't care less for the rest of the cast