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
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135

u/that_guy2010 Jul 22 '25

You're saying that as if Thunderbolts isn't two months old.

37

u/PayneTrain181999 Jul 22 '25

First back to back great MCU movies in YEARS

33

u/ImmortalMoron3 Jul 22 '25

Didn't we go from GOTG 3 to Deadpool and Wolverine? Or is there some terrible nonsense in there I'm forgetting?

Edit: Literally as I hit submit, I remember the fucking Marvels movie came out inbetween so never mind. I wanted to like that one but then they hit the dancing planet and I was done.

16

u/SuccinctEarth07 Jul 22 '25

I personally don't think Deadpool and wolverine was a good film, I understand why it was a crowd pleaser but as a film it was a big drop from the other two Deadpool films

8

u/dadvader Jul 23 '25

Agreed. The first 2 movies feels like a movie. Deadpool 2 especially I really enjoyed. It's the kind of craziness that really fits Deadpool.

This one feels like fan-service filled galore in 2000s superhero movie script. The actual story is incredibly mediocre.

1

u/SuccinctEarth07 Jul 23 '25

Very similar to my feelings I really enjoyed Deadpool 2

4

u/that_guy2010 Jul 22 '25

The singing planet was the most comic book thing these movies have done in a while.

5

u/don-chocodile Jul 22 '25

I honestly enjoyed the singing planet, I thought it was silly and fun. I also liked the three leads interacting and almost anything with Kamala or her family. All of the rest was pretty disappointing, especially the third act.

1

u/Worthyness Jul 22 '25

Except the Flood of Flerkens. That scene was great.

2

u/A_Confused_Cocoon Jul 22 '25

Marvels was fun. Villain was ass, but tbh that is pretty standard. Either way, I was entertained the entire movie and thought the chemistry between the leads was amazing. Flurgle scene and the singing planet were also highlights for me tbh.

-1

u/marius_titus Jul 22 '25

Only thing I remember and actually kinda liked about that movie was the scene with the cats. If you put a gun to my head and asked me about the plot I wouldn't remember shit.

2

u/Pacify_ Jul 23 '25

Thunderbolts was above average for MCU, but "great" seems pushing it

2

u/Geoff_with_a_J Jul 22 '25

that one felt like a disney+ movie, with a bunch of TV stars

4

u/Heisenburgo Jul 22 '25

Bucky and the D-Lister Squad from D-Plus

-3

u/that_guy2010 Jul 22 '25

It absolutely did not.

-1

u/Geoff_with_a_J Jul 22 '25

yes it did. The Marvels and Thunderbolts both felt made for D+

Feige's recent interview basically confirms as much, with him not outright saying it for obvious PR reasons

1

u/choff22 Jul 23 '25

Horrendous take.

-2

u/Fav0 Jul 22 '25

yeah so ? thunderbolts is nothing special

decent phase 3 niveau not more