The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Movie ft. Pedro, Ebon, and Vanessa
Marvel Studios finally brings the beloved First Family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a superhero adventure that marks the 37th film in the MCU. Directed by Matt Shakman, this 2025 release features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm.
The film operates as both an origin story and family drama, exploring how these four individuals navigate their newfound powers while maintaining personal relationships. Set against a vibrant 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic backdrop, it aims to balance superhero spectacle with intimate character moments.
Plot and Storyline
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens with a bold narrative choice that immediately sets it apart from previous versions. The story begins with Sue Storm discovering she’s pregnant with Reed Richards’ child, establishing the family dynamic that becomes central to the film’s emotional core.
The plot follows the familiar cosmic accident during a space expedition led by Reed Richards. When their spacecraft encounters a cosmic storm, their lives are forever changed. However, the film quickly moves to explore how these changes affect their relationships and responsibilities.
The main antagonist, Galactus, presents a cosmic-level threat that forces the newly powered team to work together. The screenplay effectively weaves together themes of family, responsibility, and sacrifice while the pregnancy subplot adds emotional weight to the proceedings.
Cast Performance
Pedro Pascal delivers a compelling performance as Reed Richards, bringing his characteristic charisma and vulnerability to Mister Fantastic. His chemistry with Vanessa Kirby creates a believable romantic partnership that serves as the film’s emotional anchor.
Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Storm, delivering a performance that balances strength and vulnerability. Her portrayal goes beyond traditional characterization, presenting Sue as a capable partner who can hold her own in both scientific discussions and combat situations.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach brings depth to Ben Grimm/The Thing, a role that could easily become one-note. Despite the physical transformation, he manages to convey Ben’s humanity and pain through voice work and subtle physical acting.
Joseph Quinn rounds out the core quartet as Johnny Storm, delivering the cocky younger brother energy while showing growth throughout the film. The cast’s chemistry feels genuine, creating the family dynamic essential to making the Fantastic Four work on screen.
Visual Effects and Production Design
The visual presentation stands as one of the film’s strongest elements. The retro-futuristic aesthetic creates a unique visual identity that sets it apart from other MCU entries. The 1960s-inspired design elements create an immersive world that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
The power effects for each character receive careful attention, with particular success in rendering The Thing’s rocky exterior and Human Torch’s flame effects. The cosmic sequences featuring Galactus showcase impressive scale and scope while the world-devourer’s design maintains his iconic appearance.
I found the production design extending to costumes, vehicles, and set pieces particularly impressive, creating a cohesive visual language throughout the film.
Direction and Screenplay
Matt Shakman’s direction demonstrates clear understanding of what makes the Fantastic Four unique within the superhero genre. His approach emphasizes the family aspect over typical superhero tropes, creating more intimate moments between action sequences.
The screenplay successfully balances multiple narrative threads without feeling overstuffed. The pregnancy subplot provides emotional stakes, while the cosmic threat offers spectacular action opportunities. The pacing maintains engagement throughout the nearly two-hour runtime.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Professional critics have responded positively to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with the film earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 64 score on Metacritic. Critics praise the film’s focus on family dynamics and character development, with many noting it successfully addresses previous adaptation failures.
The Hollywood Reporter praised the film for breaking Marvel Property’s Six-Decade Curse, while Deadline described it as a Satisfying And Stylish Marvel Adventure. Critics appreciate the decision to start with established relationships rather than extensive origin material.
Audience reception has been similarly positive, with viewers responding well to cast chemistry and visual spectacle. Many fans express relief that the Fantastic Four have finally received a worthy adaptation within the MCU.
What Works and What Could Be Better
What Works: The film’s greatest strength lies in its character relationships and family dynamics. The decision to focus on established relationships allows for deeper character development. Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby’s chemistry anchors the film emotionally, while the supporting cast creates believable family bonds.
The visual design and retro-futuristic aesthetic provide a unique identity within the MCU. The pregnancy subplot adds genuine emotional stakes that elevate the material beyond typical superhero fare.
Areas for Improvement: While the film succeeds in many areas, some elements feel underexplored. The cosmic threat of Galactus could benefit from more development to match the personal stakes. Some pacing issues in the middle act slow momentum.
I noticed the film occasionally struggles to balance its intimate family drama with expected Marvel spectacle, leading to some tonal inconsistencies. A few action sequences rely too heavily on CGI, losing some of the grounded feel that works well in character moments.
Rating: 4/5
