The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a disappointingly formulaic film; the story and dialogue are hollow and generic. While the movie is not horrendous, it’s middle-of-the-road to bad.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps sets up the new quartet. It’s a cast that tries to bring emotional performances with the typical Marvel comedic moments. Unfortunately, outside of the cast, the story feels forgettable. Its dialogue lacks emotional stakes alongside the dangers. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a disappointingly formulaic film; the story and dialogue are hollow and generic. While the movie is not horrendous, it’s middle-of-the-road to bad.
Directed by Matt Shakman who directed episodes from popular shows including Game of Thrones and WandaVision, and written by Josh Friedman (Terminator: Dark Fate, War of the Worlds), Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow), and Jeff Kaplan (The Last of the Great Romantics, Bert and Arnie’s Guide to Friendship), the film follows the the superhero crew as they prepare for a new addition when a new threat arrives. It stars Pedro Pascal (Eddington, Materialists) as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby (Eden, Napoleon) as his partner, Sue Storm.
Joseph Quinn (Gladiator II, A Quiet Place: Day One) plays her brother Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, best known for his abrasive yet compelling performance as Richie in The Bear, as Ben Grimm, who becomes the Thing. The film, through news clips and narration, establishes the four as heroes. They’ve already gained their abilities. But with the Fantastic couple now pregnant, a grave, world-destroying threat is on its way. While it sounds dire, the film’sexecution is anything but. Stakes ring hollow.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Has Good to Decent Performances
Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn are wonderful in their respective roles. Pascal has that impending father terror and comedy, depicting that hilarious thousand-yard stare of fear. Joseph Quinn has the proper mix of comedic relief and flirtation with the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner (Wolf Man, The Royal Hotel). Their genuine chemistry works. But their confrontation towards the end suffers because of the cheesy lines Quinn must spout. It’s a shame there were not more onscreen interactions between the Silver Surfer and Johnny Storm. Then again, because of the dialogue, perhaps less is more.
Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby lack a connection. But that is the dialogue. Kirby might have the worst dialogue in the film. It feels flat and lifeless. While other Marvel films have quotable moments and iconic scenes, there is no dialogue worth remembering. The cast does their utmost to breathe life into The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but the dialogue and plot get lost in space with little oxygen.
CGI Pulls You Out
The only memorable moments come from the horrendous special effects. Aside from the Thing looking ridiculous, having The Fantastic Four: First Steps channel Twilight’s Renesmee was not on my 2025 bingo card. It’s confusing how one moment, Marvel has amazing CGI that you would swear aliens and magic exist, and the next, they wash their hands of a project. It’s odder still considering all the effort that went into promoting the film.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps relies on its star cast to rescue a dull film, and it does not succeed. Dramatic moments came off as boring, the high world-ending stakes ridiculous, and the characters did not feel distinct. Instead, they are more Marvel than anything with drama and jokes, but without the wit and beats to elevate them to a noteworthy level. The Fantastic Four: First Steps tries to walk before it can crawl, dragging down a promising cast with a subpar screenplay.
