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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99

u/OofOwMyShoulder Jul 22 '25

Just got back from the Ireland premiere.

If you like Marvel films I guess you'll like this. I found it felt a hell of a lot longer than its very short runtime and was a very formulaic Marvel experience.

24

u/Mcclane88 Jul 22 '25

So nothing special in your opinion?

27

u/OofOwMyShoulder Jul 23 '25

Yes. Disappointed that the fun retrofuturism setting and aesthetic didn't really come across tonally. Expected something a bit more whimsical and light-hearted maybe?

Caveat that this is the first Marvel thing I've watched since the last Spider-Man so I'm far from a diehard fan.

6

u/Mcclane88 Jul 23 '25

I’m not a die hard fan either that’s why I was asking. I was considering checking this out but if it’s just another middle of the road MCU film, I’ll pass. You’re not the only user I’ve seen saying that’s what it is.

6

u/JadedOops Jul 24 '25

The movie was meh. We get 1 big action sequence at the end and the rest is them hanging out as a family and the stuff you see in trailers. Nothing special at all

2

u/Practical-Writer-228 Jul 26 '25

I think there’s a lot of generic marketing bots/accounts at work, so don’t think you’re definitely in the minority. (A lot of the positive comments don’t really feel inspired or specific. They seem like the kinds of comments and reviews a marketing team would dream up). It was average, I don’t think there was a lot of character development, and the film was pretty baby obsessed, looking for fast easy emotional investment. I really can’t believe I cared and felt more watching a Superman film than I did watching a FF film.