I. Overview & Production Context
Fantastic Four: First Steps kicks off Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), marking the iconic quartet’s first official appearance in the MCU timeline. Directed by Matt Shakman (of WandaVision fame), the film takes a reverse approach — it doesn’t recount the origin story, but instead begins at a moment when the Fantastic Four are already established, celebrated heroes… and expecting their first child.
Set on Earth-828, the film is styled with a retro-futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of the 1960s, drawing heavily from Jack Kirby’s original comic artwork.
II. Story: A Family Symphony Amidst Cosmic Threats
Unlike most superhero films that open with a bang, First Steps begins with a moment of internal stillness: Sue Storm is pregnant, Reed Richards is grappling with fatherhood, Ben Grimm feels alienated in his stone form, and Johnny Storm remains the impulsive kid seeking the spotlight. These emotional tensions are pushed to the limit when Galactus, the world-devouring entity, arrives — not with a snap, but with a quiet, inevitable dread.
Silver Surfer, this time played by Julia Garner, becomes more than just a herald — she is a haunting mirror to the team’s internal conflicts: the dilemma between duty and love, sacrifice and survival.
🎯 Core theme: True strength doesn’t come from powers, but from responsibility and self-acceptance.
III. Characters & Performances – Family at the Center
🧠 Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards)
Pascal delivers a composed, soft-spoken Reed — more of a devoted father figure than a radical scientist. While he captures Reed’s fear of fatherhood, he lacks the eccentric edge that fans of the comics might expect. Perhaps this was a deliberate choice, to avoid another “Tony Stark 2.0.”
💫 Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm)
Kirby gives the film’s strongest emotional performance. Her portrayal of Sue — a mother-to-be torn between family and duty — brings gravitas to the story. She’s no longer a background beauty; she’s the soul of the film.
🔥 Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm)
Energetic, brash, and eager to prove himself — Quinn captures Johnny’s youthful recklessness with charm. His banter with Ben Grimm adds much-needed levity and warmth.
🧱 Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm / The Thing)
A standout surprise. Quiet, contemplative, and heartbreakingly human, Ben represents the silent burdens of heroism. A moment where he cradles Sue during a crisis stands as one of the film’s most touching scenes.
🌌 Julia Garner (Silver Surfer)
A cosmic being with a poet’s soul. Garner brings both chilling detachment and quiet grief to the Surfer. She’s more than a scout — she’s a tragic echo of what the Fantastic Four could become.
🌀 Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson)
Not a villain, but a force of nature. Galactus is portrayed as a cold, divine inevitability, a cosmic hunger that cannot be reasoned with. The design and sound work elevate him into something biblical — awe-inspiring, terrifying, and alien.

IV. Visuals & Aesthetics – A Marvel Film Unlike Any Other
- The retro-futuristic design is breathtaking: spacecraft, tech, fonts, and costumes feel like they belong in a dream world from the 1960s.
- Michael Giacchino’s score is masterful — blending jazz, synth, and classical orchestra to create an atmosphere both nostalgic and cosmic.
V. Shortcomings & Controversies
🔹 A Too-Safe Script
Despite a clear three-act structure, the film often pulls back emotionally when it should push forward. The stakes feel high, but reactions feel muted.
🔹 Reed Richards Lacks Edge
Comic fans may find this version of Reed too sanitized. Where’s the flawed genius? The morally gray visionary?

🔹 Lack of Memorable Action
Aside from a dazzling space battle between Johnny and the Surfer and a final crash scene involving Ben Grimm, the film’s action scenes lean more toward spectacle than emotional impact.
VI. Conclusion: A Superhero Film Drenched in Humanity
If you’re looking for another Infinity War or expect a Multiverse of Madness-style twist — this isn’t it.
But if you want a Marvel film that’s more thoughtful, heartfelt, and artistically daring, Fantastic Four: First Steps opens a new, intimate chapter for the MCU.
🧭 Suggested Score: 8.2/10
Category | Score |
---|---|
Script & Structure | 7.5 |
Acting | 8.5 |
Visuals | 9.0 |
Music | 9.5 |
Action & Pacing | 7.0 |
Emotional Impact | 8.5 |
Overall | 8.2 |