Rated: PG
My Rating 9/10
Fantastic Four: First Steps is not just a great Marvel movie. It is a great movie full stop. After years of lacklustre entries and messy tone shifts (besides thunderbolts* and Guardians Vol 3), Marvel has delivered something that feels bold, fresh and cohesive. This is a film with a clear visual identity, sharp performances and an emotional core that sticks with you. I give it a confident 9 out of 10.
The story sees the Fantastic Four facing a massive threat to humanity. Galactus, the planet devourer, is heading for Earth. With only limited time, the team must figure out how to stop a being so colossal it almost feels like a force of nature. Their journey takes them from labs to the far reaches of space. The film finds the right balance between spectacle and humanity, making it easy to invest in both the characters and the stakes.
Pedro Pascal is brilliant as Reed Richards. He brings calm control and emotional weight to the role. His Reed feels grounded but commanding and it is easy to imagine him as a key figure in the future of the MCU. He never overplays the intellect or leans too hard into the arrogance that often defines the character in the comics. Instead, he plays him as a man burdened by brilliance and responsibility.
Vanessa Kirby delivers a fierce and layered performance as Sue Storm. She is powerful, intelligent and emotionally grounded. Kirby’s Sue has a quiet intensity and becomes the heart of the team. Her relationship with Reed and her protective nature over her family gives the film much of its emotional weight.
Ebon Moss‑Bachrach is fantastic as Ben Grimm. For a fully CGI character, The Thing feels tangible and deeply human. His gruff humour and physicality are perfectly balanced with vulnerability. It is easy to forget he is not physically there on set. The animators and performance capture team have done a brilliant job and Moss‑Bachrach makes every line count.
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm is a genuine highlight. He is effortlessly charming, funny and surprisingly thoughtful. Quinn’s comedic timing is spot on but he also gets a few quiet emotional beats that land well. He adds energy to every scene and never falls into caricature.
Jennifer Garner’s performance as Shalla Bal, this universe’s Silver Surfer, brings pathos and tension to the story. She is not just a cosmic tool of destruction. She is torn, conflicted and quietly desperate to do the right thing. Marvel’s new take on its villains has clearly made an impact here. Shalla Bal is complex and sympathetic without ever losing her threat.
Ralph Ineson as Galactus is terrifying. His voice is deep, and guttural and his physical presence feels overwhelming. The way the film visualises Galactus is astonishing. He does not feel cartoonish or too abstract. His scale is captured with precision and there are multiple moments that will make your jaw drop. You feel the dread in every scene he is in. He does not just show up at the end for a quick third act twist. He is woven through the film as a looming presence and the main driver of tension.
Visually the film is a treat. The sixties aesthetic blends perfectly with modern sci fi and superhero elements. From costume design to production sets it looks unique and confident. It does not try to mimic the look of every other Marvel film. It has its own tone and style. This retro futurist approach is not just window dressing either. It informs the way the characters talk, dress and interact with the world around them.
Michael Giacchino returns to score the film and absolutely nails it. The music is sweeping, heroic and emotional. His main theme is instantly memorable and will absolutely become one of the defining musical identities of this new phase of the MCU.
The visual effects and CGI are top tier. There are no rubbery characters (besides Reed) or awkward action cuts. Every element feels polished. The action sequences are creative and well staged.
The film has heart, humour and genuine tension. What stands out most is that it treats its audience with respect. It does not lean on constant winks or forced references. It builds its own story. It stands firmly on its own but still feels like a natural part of the MCU.
Fantastic Four First Steps is not just a return to form. It is a step forward. It introduces these characters with confidence and clarity and gives them a story worth telling. This is one of Marvel’s best in recent years. It is fun, emotional and visually distinct. The performances are excellent, the score is unforgettable, and the villain is a true cosmic threat. It is the kind of superhero movie we have been waiting for, that is why I give the film a 9/10.