Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Review – The MCU Reboot Finally Gets It Right

Marvel’s first family returns in a stylized, emotional, and surprisingly effective relaunch.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)

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Fantastic Four: First steps

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Written by: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Jonathan Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner

Release Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

Not a Disaster — And That’s Saying Something

When it comes to the Fantastic Four, “not a disaster” already feels like a miracle. After the 2015 catastrophe, any successful reboot was going to be a win. Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, is more than just “not terrible”—it’s good. Sometimes, it’s very good.

With a powerful third act, striking retro-futuristic visuals, and real emotional stakes, director Matt Shakman has finally cracked the code. It’s not just a comic book adaptation—it’s a movie about family, sacrifice, and hope.

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A Family Four Years In

Instead of rehashing the origin story, First Steps drops us into the team’s fourth year as global heroes. Through a retro talk show hosted by Mark Gatiss—playing a Steve Allen/Jack Paar type—we get the backstory: the Four went to space, got blasted with radiation, came back changed.

Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Jonathan Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) now protect Earth while navigating fame, family, and politics. Sue is especially prominent, uniting nations through a reimagined United Nations.

But things change when Sue learns she’s pregnant with Reed’s child—and just as the family prepares to celebrate, a silver figure descends from the sky.

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Enter the Silver Surfer… and Galactus

Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer appears like a cosmic ghost, warning of a being named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) who intends to consume Earth. After a near-deadly encounter with Johnny Storm, she vanishes, leaving only dread in her wake.

To understand what they’re up against, the team heads back into space—despite the danger to Sue’s unborn child. When they confront Galactus, he makes a chilling demand: give him the child, and Earth will be spared.

The Four refuse. Upon their return, Reed tells the world the truth—and public opinion turns. Heroes become pariahs. And a once-unthinkable debate begins: sacrifice one life to save billions?

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Retro-Futurism Done Right

Fantastic Four: First Steps looks unlike anything else in the MCU. Drawing on Loki-style design, production designer Kasra Farahani infuses every scene with soft pastels, rounded angles, and mod-inspired minimalism.

The Baxter Building feels pulled from a 1960s sci-fi dream, while the space scenes evoke classic 2001: A Space Odyssey imagery without feeling derivative. The aesthetic is stylish, fresh, and fully realized.

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Who Shines — and Who Doesn’t

Jonathan Quinn steals the show as Johnny Storm. He’s brash, funny, and cocky—but also shows real growth. His subplot with the Silver Surfer leads to some of the film’s most surprising and touching moments.

Pedro Pascal brings gravitas, but his Reed Richards feels too emotionally distant. We don’t get enough of Mr. Fantastic in action, and Reed never quite reveals what makes him tick outside of genius-level exposition.

Vanessa Kirby anchors the film emotionally, giving Sue Storm strength and sensitivity. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is charming as ever, even if Ben Grimm gets a bit sidelined this time.

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A New Beginning for the MCU

Fantastic Four: First Steps feels like more than a reboot—it feels like a quiet, steady reintroduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Where Iron Man (2008) was all swagger and post-9/11 confidence, First Steps reflects a post-pandemic fragility. It’s about protecting what matters most—family, home, and hope—and it leans into those themes with sincerity.

This isn’t a loud blockbuster. It’s something rarer these days: a thoughtful one.

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Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 Stars

Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best Fantastic Four movie ever made—and it’s not even close. While not without its flaws, it sets a strong foundation for the next era of the MCU. Heartfelt, bold, and beautifully designed, this is a reboot worth rooting for.

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Tags

Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pedro Pascal, MCU 2025, Marvel Movie Review, Vanessa Kirby, Silver Surfer, Galactus, Jonathan Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Matt Shakman, MCU Reboot, Superhero Movies, Retro-Futurism, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Vocal Review