Fantastic Four: First Steps – Marvel’s First Family Soars!
Marvel’s latest entry into Phase 6 of its Cinematic Universe, Fantastic Four: First Steps, written by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, and Jeff Kaplan, directed by Matt Shakman, and starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, and Julia Garner, is everything you wanted it to be. Sure to win the praise of comic book fans and the general audience alike, this film is a triumph that returns to the classic Marvel standard we have so desperately missed.
The casting is impeccable. Any concerns I may have previously had about Pedro Pascal as Dr. Reed Richards are quickly washed away. His portrayal is nuanced and commanding, embodying the brilliant yet grounded leader of the Fantastic Four. The chemistry between the main cast is undeniable and saturates every frame, bringing heart and authenticity to this iconic team. Joseph Quinn is a standout as the charming and hot-headed Johnny Storm. His “brotherly” relationship with Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm/The Thing is endearing, relatable, and spot-on for the characters. Not to mention, Moss-Bachrach is the PERFECT Ben Grimm, delivering humor, grit, and soul in a performance that feels ripped straight from the comics.
Vanessa Kirby exudes warmth, gentleness, and motherly strength as Sue Storm. She is Sue Storm in every way, balancing grace with fierce determination. Equally captivating is Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer. Garner deftly captures Shalla-Bal’s lack of free will, yet still brims with quiet depth and humanity. Her performance nails that sense of being a pawn driven by duty, making her a mesmerizing presence on screen. Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is spectacular and larger than life—frightening and fantastical, he commands every scene with a chilling, otherworldly gravitas.
Visually, the film is a marvel. The atomic-age, retro-futuristic aesthetic is superb, making Fantastic Four: First Steps one of the most stunning films of the last ten years. Every frame pops with vibrant colors and imaginative designs that pay homage to the source material while feeling fresh and modern. The screenwriters—Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, and Jeff Kaplan—have penned an engrossing, emotional, heart-warming, exciting, and incredibly entertaining story that balances spectacle with character-driven moments.
Director Matt Shakman has earned his stripes as a blockbuster Hollywood director, orchestrating a film that feels both epic and intimate. Composer Michael Giacchino elevates the film with a score that perfectly captures the film’s atomic-age, retro-futuristic aesthetic while infusing it with heart, wonder, and grandeur. From the opening notes, Giacchino sets the tone, blending nostalgic optimism with cosmic scale in a way that feels both timeless and innovative.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is exactly what it needed to be—the Fantastic Four film we’ve deserved all along. It’s a love letter to fans and a welcoming entry point for newcomers.
I cannot recommend it enough. It is officially my favorite movie of the year, and I cannot wait to see it again!
Fantastic Four: First Steps
In Theaters Everywhere July 25th
