The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Man, the return of Marvel's First Family is beyond super

It always takes First Steps to get somewhere great.

With Disney’s recent (and very deliberate) ‘refresh’ of the MCU, Marvel has tried to rediscover the magic that they once held in the palm of their infinity gauntlet. Disconnected projects and wild variations in quality within projects forced the House of Mouse to slow down and refocus their cinematic universe in an effort to regain the consistency that brought audiences to the theatre in droves. And, after the success of Thunderbolts+, the question remained whether they could continue their upward trend.

Now, with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it continues to become clear that the magic is officially back.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (re)introduces the world to the Fantastic Four. Led by Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), the team of Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) serve the people of Earth 828 as their protectors against otherworldly villains. However, when the mysterious Silver Surfer (Julie Garner) arrives to herald the arrival of the diabolical world-eater, Galactus, the Four find themselves out of their depth, especially with the arrival of Reed and Sue’s impending child. Banding together, the team must fight to find a way to save the world and, of course, their family.

In many ways, this vision of The Fantastic Four truly does live up to its name. (As a matter of fact, with a nod to other summer blockbusters, one could even say that the film is ‘beyond super’.) With a solid script and delightful performances, First Steps fires on all cylinders. Shakman infuses the film with an infectious charm that showcases what Marvel can do when they allow themselves the freedom to experiment with (and even break) their own trends.

Visually, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the film is nothing short of stunning. With its retro 60s-style technology and pastel colours, First Steps is simply a marvel to behold. After directing the exquisitely retro WandaVision, Shakman shakes up the MCU once again with a film that feels like it was torn out of the comics and cartoons from a bygone era. From the lovably-awkward robot H.E.R.B.I.E to the sleek, flying FantastiCar, First Steps leans entirely into its nostalgic tones with adorable results. Even with its impending world-destroying threat, the soft glow of this world makes you want to stay for family dinner. (Promptly at six. And they’re never late.)

But what truly sets the film apart are some wonderful performances from its cast. Unlike the strained relationships of Thunderbolts+, the Richards family feels genuinely like… well… a family. In previous onscreen incarnations of the Four, relationships between the stars often felt forced (and even awkward) at times. (Even if they were funny, did we really believe in the chemistry between Ioan Gruffold and Jessica Alba?)

But that’s not a problem here.

(L-R) Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

In First Steps, every moment that the team spends together breathes familiarity in the best of ways. Through gentile teasing and free-flowing banter, there’s a sense that these characters (and performers) actually like one another. As the central couple, Pascal and Kirby seem to have a genuine connection. Glances between them contain affection and subtle, human moments such as applying lotion to her pregnant belly are embedded with sweetness and care. What’s more, despite his rocky exterior, Moss-Bachrach’s Thing seems almost at peace within himself while Quinn’s Human Torch showcases his brain on multiple occasions (even if his family isn’t always listening).

As a result, there’s a certain joyfulness that fuels First Steps. With a glint of hope in their eyes, one cannot help but fall in love with this vision of Marvel’s first family. They’re always ready for a fight. However, when they’re not on the battlefield, they’re there for each other at home. Especially with a new baby on the way.

And, without giving spoilers, it is fascinating to watch as Reed and Sue attempt to navigate the coming arrival of their child. Through a ferocious performance by Kirby, Sue views the birth with courageous optimism. To her, nothing could possibly go wrong. But Reed isn’t so sure. Running every conceivable test, Reed focuses his attention on securing the safety of their newborn.

In short, Reed wants to ‘baby proof’ the world.

But, in doing so, First Steps uses its family-focus to ask what it’s worth to save the world. While it doesn’t contain the poignant subtext of Thunderbolts*, First Steps does choose to wrestle with issues of sacrifice for the greater good. And how far that sacrifice is willing to go.

Admittedly, none of these ideas are particularly new for Marvel fare yet the joy lies in the execution. And First Steps delivers in every possible way. With charismatic delight, Marvel’s first family is back… and the MCU is finally taking its own Steps towards something special.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is available in theatres on Friday, July 24^th, 2025.