Review: 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Marvel returns to form by returning to its roots

Marvel/Disney, 2025.

Things have never been worse for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as so-called "superhero fatigue" has seemingly taken over the moviegoing audience. That is, until earlier this month when rival DC Studios rejuvenated the box office with James Gunn's take on "Superman," a movie that has gotten raves from critics and audiences alike, and has grossed (at the time of this writing) nearly half a billion dollars at the box office.

Maybe it wasn't "superhero fatigue," but Marvel burnout instead?

With the odds stacked against them, Marvel relies on one of their oldest superhero groups to finally right the ship...and wouldn't you know, the Fantastic Four save the day.

Grade: B+

​"Fantastic Four: First Steps" is appropriately named, in that Marvel was in desperate need of getting back to basics, putting one foot in front of the other and relearning to walk before trying to simply sprint to the bank. Touted as their first "standalone" Marvel movie - no "homework" required - they have captured the essence of these popular characters, who up until now, have proven to be fantastically difficult to adapt to the big-screen.

Origin stories are sooooo 1990s, so the movie smartly brushes through how each of the heroes gained their powers. But for the uninitiated, four individuals on a space mission were transformed via a blast of cosmic energy, leaving each of them with a unique superpower. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) can stretch his body to great lengths, and his wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) can turn invisible and generate powerful force fields. Sue's brother Johnny aka The Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) can light himself on fire and fly through the air. Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) has had his body turned into indestructible rock and has super-strength. Of the group, Ben is the only hero who can't turn his powers on and off, which leads him longing for human connection.

This is the perfect vehicle for director Matt Shakman, a longtime, Emmy-nominated TV director who has barely ever dabbled in feature films (his only previous film credit is 2014's little seen "Cut Bank," starring Billy Bob Thornton). He brings brisk but consistent pacing and rich character development to the film. It moves quickly, but hits a lot deeper than most superhero films do.

Smartly set in the 1960s, in this alternate-Earth, The Fantastic Four are the world's only superheroes and their worldly protectors. This was a time of hope and of trust. Previous versions of The Fantastic Four on screen have not been able to capture their wholesome, family values when seen through the modern, cynical lens. But the Fantastic Four are perfect for the time. There is an optimism and a nostalgia that is palpable here, mirroring what "Superman" achieved so brilliantly earlier this month: It embraces the spirit of the comic book characters and asks us to accept them as they are, not as they would be today.

The threat is simple, but wondrous. Galactus is coming, "The Devourer" as he's described...a massive cosmic being that has an unquenchable desire to literally eat planets. The Silver Surfer (a shiny Julia Garner) is his herald. Her role is to scout ahead and warn planets of their impending doom.

You guessed it: Earth is added to the menu, and it's up to The Fantastic Four to stop the threat.

Without any prior comic book knowledge, "Fantastic Four: First Steps" is easy to understand and the characters are so clearly defined that it doesn't take long to become invested. Sure, there are several Easter Eggs included for those longtime fans (including a fun cameo by longtime Fantastic Four adversary, Mole Man, played here by a scene-chewing Paul Walter Hauser). And yes, if you stay through the end credits - as we've become accustomed to with Marvel movies - this movie will play into the larger MCU storyline moving forward.

But how refreshing it was to not have to have seen countless MCU TV series and movies, just to enjoy a good-hearted superhero adventure. Who knew that in 2025 after all we've endured, wholesomeness and compassion would be trending?

After years of convoluted timelines, cameos, and fatigue, Marvel remembered what made it all work to begin with: great characters, emotional stakes, and a sense of wonder.

​On the heels of "Superman" and now "Fantastic Four: First Steps," the future of superhero movies isn't only bright...it's surprisingly optimistic.

Grade: B+

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action.
Run Time: 1 hour 55 minutes.
Rated PG-13.

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne.

Directed by Matt Shakman ("Cut Bank").

​"Fantastic Four: First Steps" is in theaters on Friday, July 25th, 2025.