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Fantastic Four: First Steps is finally here, and while it brings plenty to love (Galactus! Herbie! A real sense of family!), it also stumbles in spots. This is Marvel’s first real crack at giving the First Family their due inside the MCU and it’s a better ride than anything Fox ever managed. But is it the definitive Fantastic Four story? I am not entirely sure.
Here’s my breakdown of what worked – and what didn’t – in Marvel’s latest cosmic swing.
1. ✅ The Family Dynamic Felt Real
The early 2000s movies had charm, but the team never felt like more than coworkers that were forced to work together. This one finally nailed that dynamic. You totally buy that Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben are a family with all the bickering, support, and emotional investment that comes with it. Their banter doesn’t feel forced, and their heartfelt moments land because the groundwork is laid properly, albeit quickly. For once, the Fantastic Four felt like a unit instead of four solo acts.
1. ❌ Silver Surfer Swap
Shalla-Bal as the Surfer was fine, but Norrin Radd is easily one of Marvel’s most iconic and tragic characters, and leaving him out was a gut punch. His story of sacrifice and loss has always been one of the most emotionally rich in Marvel lore. By swapping him out, the movie sidestepped that depth. It’s not that Shalla was bad, it’s that her presence – just plopped into Norrin Radd’s story – highlighted the absence of a character who could’ve elevated the movie.
2. ✅ Ben Grimm Was Perfect
Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm is easily the best Thing we’ve ever had. The design was spot-on – bulky, rocky, yet still expressive – and the performance nailed both sides of the character. He carried the gruff exterior but made you feel the pain of being trapped in that form even though it wasn’t ENTIRELY expanded upon. It balanced perfectly with moments of humor and loyalty. For fans who’ve waited years to see The Thing done justice (myself included), this should feel like redemption.
2. ❌ Rushed Surfer Arc
Even setting aside the Norrin debate, the Surfer’s story felt undercooked. Her motivations were thin, her emotional beats half-baked. Instead of feeling like a fully fleshed-out character, she ended up more as a plot device to shuttle the story from one cosmic set piece to another. It wasn’t unwatchable, but for fans who know how much weight the Surfer can carry, this felt like a missed opportunity.
3. ✅ Sue Storm Kicked Ass
Sue Storm has often been sidelined in adaptations, but here she’s the backbone of the team. Vanessa Kirby may not be the perfect casting choice in everyone’s eyes, but I think that the script finally gave Sue the respect she deserves. She’s decisive, powerful, and has some of the best action beats in the movie. Sue’s always been the heart of the Fantastic Four in the comics (and the strongest), and this film made sure that shone through.
3. ❌ Pacing Went Off the Rails
The first hour and fifteen minutes? Solid. After that? Things went into overdrive. One moment we’re getting Sue’s heartfelt speech to the world, the next we’re teleporting planets and flinging Galactus across space. It wasn’t incoherent, but it was rushed. An extra 20 minutes would have let the story breathe. Instead, it felt like Marvel wanted to keep runtime down at the expense of depth.
4. ✅ Galactus Was a Cosmic Force
Let’s just say it: Galactus finally looks like Galactus, not a gaping hole in the sky. No smoke cloud, no half-measure. He’s towering, terrifying, and grim. Even better, they gave us his Worldship, which helped sell the scale of his presence. He isn’t treated like a stock villain but like the cosmic force he’s supposed to be — something beyond morality, more elemental than evil. Fans who’ve waited decades to see him realized on screen finally got the payoff.
4. ❌ Casting Nitpicks
This cast was mostly strong, but it wasn’t perfect. Vanessa Kirby did well with what she had, but she didn’t scream “Sue Storm” to me — not yet, anyway. Pedro Pascal gave Reed some much-needed gravitas, but there’s still a part of me that wants to see John Krasinski stretch into that role. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny was charming, but it’s tough not to compare him to Chris Evans, who brought a different kind of energy. It’s not bad casting, but I am not entirely sure that it is the dream lineup either.
5. ✅ Visual Highlights Worth the Ticket
If you’re going to put Marvel’s First Family back on screen, you need spectacle and this movie delivered. The wormhole chase with Silver Surfer was breathtaking, mixing tension and beauty in a way few Marvel set pieces manage anymore. Herbie’s inclusion was a nostalgic nod for long-time fans, grounding the cosmic story with a touch of fun. Even the design choices from Galactus’ ship to the team’s costumes carried that perfect mix of retro and modern flair.
5. ❌ Not Much New Mythos
This film nailed the homage. The 60s vibes, the cosmic energy, the family-first storytelling — all of that worked. But it didn’t add much to the Fantastic Four canon. It felt like a faithful update more than a bold reinvention. That’s not a crime, but for fans hoping Marvel would bring something new to the table, this may feel like treading water.
Verdict
Fantastic Four: First Steps is a solid 7.2/10. It’s a fun, faithful adaptation that finally gives us a proper Galactus and nails the family vibe, but it stumbles with pacing, character depth, and casting nitpicks.
If you’re looking for cosmic popcorn fun, this will scratch the itch. If you’re expecting MCU Phase 3 magic, you might be left wanting.
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