by ECI Released : 2025-07-25
Fantastic Four: First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman and stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human-Torch. This bold, imaginative entry marks a triumphant new chapter for Marvel’s First Family — and thankfully skips the origin story to jump right into the action.
Pascal is excellent as the elastic genius Reed, effortlessly balancing intellect with emotional weight. Kirby’s Sue Storm is the heart of the film — strong, driven, and deeply human. Moss-Bachrach’s Thing is a standout, grounded by a gruff but tender core. Quinn infuses Johnny Storm with wit and warmth, updating the hothead with welcome depth and self-awareness.
Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal, a gender-flipped Silver Surfer, commands every scene she enters, delivering an ethereal and haunting performance. Her arc, which quietly anchors the film’s cosmic stakes, is beautifully executed. Meanwhile, Paul Walter Hauser’s Mole Man is an inspired surprise — equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. He brings an unexpected humanity to the role that makes you wish he had more screen time.
The film occasionally drags in the middle, and a subplot involving Red Ghost (John Malkovich, now cut) might have given the story some early momentum. Still, it never loses sight of what matters: a team forged through love, sacrifice, and family.
Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s, the world-building is lush, from the Baxter Building to the teleportation bridges. The visual effects — particularly Galactus and the interdimensional sequences — are dazzling but never overpower the emotion at the core. And Michael Giacchino’s score soars with hopeful grandeur.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is a thrilling, heartfelt, and fresh take that finally does justice to Marvel’s original icons. One of the year’s best — worth seeing at a drive-in near you.
