Unless you are a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not worth seeing.
Recruiting the latest phenomenon of actors (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn) and maintaining their distinguished action-packed sequences will not make up for the empty writing. At multiple points during the screening, I felt like leaving.
While I managed to convince myself to stay for the sake of this review, I wasn’t interested in sticking around for the two signature credit scenes that preview the next installments in the Marvel movies.
Superhero movies always require a suspension of disbelief. The viewer knows anything in these movies is possible if there is room plausible deniability.
But even after years of watching Tony Stark and Peter Parker assemble new suits out of thin air, I had a hard time “believing” the scientific research of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic.
While I am aware that the MCU has extensively developed their multiverse-setting, I went into this movie expecting a proper origin story for the Fantastic Four and the beginning of the MCU. It is totally reasonable when the costumes, set design, and titles are imitating the aesthetics of the 1960s. It turns out this is just another earth set in the future that appears to be our past.
Another disappointment came through the humor.
Marvel movies have made an impression on the world that wasn’t solely the result of top-notch special effects and marketing, but through relatable and likable characters. That is mostly the result of great chemistry between the performers and a sense of humor.
But I didn’t find myself laughing in this Marvel movie. In fact, the jokes were predictable and hackneyed. It’s more than the jokes; it’s the entire story. There also came a moment when Sue Storm/Invisible Woman attempted to rally and inspire everyone, and it made no sense. When it came to the consequential moment that resolved the conflict, I found it to be along the lines of a Deus ex machina.
But, since it’s a Marvel movie, it does deliver with action sequences that are captivating enough to believe that our heroes are exploiting the gravity of a neutron star to propel themselves back home. And the music certainly amplifies those entertaining sequences.
But I can’t praise it entirely, especially with the antagonist, the Silver Surfer. The effects aren’t bad, they’re good — they’re too good. But this isn’t something to praise, it felt like a trip into the Uncanny Valley (when fake human appearances end up more disturbing than endearing). Devoted MCU fans will find a way to see this.
But for the rest of us movie-goers? We’re not missing anything if we decide to do something else. I would not place The Fantastic Four high on a list of prioritized movies of 2025.
About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.)