Marvel’s First Family gets a fresh start in The Fantastic 4: First Steps, and the result is a solid but uneven origin story that leans harder on spectacle than on character. Directed by Matt Shakman from a script credited to Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Kat Wood, and Josh Friedman, the film runs 115 minutes and sets its action in a retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired world. The tagline promises a family affair, and mostly delivers one, though not always the kind you want.
Trailer, via Marvel Entertainment.
Reed Richards and the Space God
Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, as a man torn between science and responsibility. His arc is the engine of the movie, and Pascal sells the tension between his genius and his duty to those around him. The film opens with a meteorite crash that pulls the four heroes together, and it’s through Pascal’s performance that we feel the weight of the decision he makes.
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman carries the emotional core. Her scenes with Pascal are the best in the film, and Kirby finds the right balance between protective sister and wife-to-be. Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm / The Thing anchors the group with physical comedy and genuine concern, while Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm / Human Torch brings the energy and the occasional pratfall.
Galactus and the Herald
Ralph Ineson plays Galactus, the ravenous space god who threatens Earth, and he commits fully to the role. His presence looms over the entire film, and the threat feels real even when the plot slows down around him. Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer appears as Galactus’ Herald, and her scenes offer a glimpse of the cosmic stakes without stealing focus from the human drama at the center.
Paul Walter Hauser’s Harvey Elder / Mole Man adds comic relief as the villain of the early act, a small-scale menace compared to the cosmic threat that follows. Natasha Lyonne’s Rachel Rozman provides the political pressure that drives the family apart at times. Sarah Niles plays Lynne Nichols / F4 Chief of Staff, another figure caught in the conflict between personal loyalty and public duty.
“Welcome to the family.”
That line sums up the film’s central promise, and it’s one the movie mostly honors. The family dynamic is the film’s strongest element, even when the pacing falters.
The 1960s Setting
The world of First Steps is a bright, colorful place, full of neon signs and chrome cars. It’s a loving tribute to the era’s optimism, and the production design sells it. Ada Scott plays Franklin Richards, and Matthew Wood voices H.E.R.B.I.E., the robot companion who adds a touch of humor in the background.
Where It Falls Short
The middle stretch drags. A subplot involving a government conspiracy stretches out too long, and the film loses momentum just when the cosmic threat should be building. Some of the action scenes feel rushed, and the effects, while impressive, don’t always land with the weight they need.
Mark Gatiss appears as Ted Gilbert. Ada Scott’s Franklin Richards is named among the cast, and Matthew Wood’s H.E.R.B.I.E. remains a minor presence throughout.
The film also struggles with pacing. A mid-point lull slows the narrative down just as the stakes are rising, and some viewers may find themselves checking their watches during the extended government sequence. The script, credited to five writers, shows its seams at times, with ideas and threads left hanging rather than resolved.
The Final Stretch
The film picks back up for its final act, and the climax against Galactus is satisfying enough to justify the wait. The family comes together in a way that feels earned, even if the journey there was bumpy. The ending sets the stage for future installments, and the film leaves the door open for a sequel without rushing the conclusion.
Our Verdict
The Fantastic 4: First Steps is a competent entry in the franchise, one that respects the characters and the family dynamic at its core. Pascal and Kirby lead a strong ensemble, and the film’s visual style is a joy to watch. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. What it does, it does well.
The film’s flaws are real, and they keep it from greatness. The middle section drags, the pacing falters, and some subplots feel underdeveloped. But the strengths outweigh the weaknesses, especially when the family is on screen together.
6.9 of 10.
This is a film worth seeing, especially for fans of the characters. It’s a solid start to a new era for the Fantastic Four, and it lays the groundwork for a promising future.
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