Review: The Fantastic 4: First Steps

When they announced this project with Spiderman director Jon Watts originally directing, I was cautiously optimistic. To do the Fantastic 4 right in 2025 is a huge challenge because, quite frankly, Marvel’s first family is cheesy. It’s actually really interesting that this released a week after Superman because both properties are so deeply rooted in traditional values, nostalgia and optimism. 

Then the directors changed after the release of Marvel’s first TV show, Wandavision, to that show’s director - Matt Shakman. And then I was stoked. This is Shakman’s directorial debut, and huge props to Marvel for taking a risk on someone untested in this field with something so important. 

I loved loved this movie. I think Shakman did an incredible job leaning into the cheesiness of the Fantastic 4 but also balancing it with incredible weight and stakes. The characters are so well rounded and truly feel like the Fantastic 4. Pascal is great as Reed and brings a whole lot of nuance to the character, but this is Kirby’s film. Without spoiling a whole lot, Sue Storm has a lot to deal with in this movie, and the stakes for her cannot be higher. I was also glad that they found something great for Johnny Storm to do too, as opposed to just strutting around looking cool. Ben Grimm rounds of the 4 and brings a huge amount of heart to the movie, and I couldn’t love this depiction of him more. 

The antagonists are also incredibly well drawn-out. Julia Garner plays the Silver Surfer so earnestly and with a bunch of emotion, which I really latch onto and Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is truly awe-inspiring. I really dug the designs of each character, and there a 20 minute sequence featuring both characters around the beginning of the second act that I was really blown away by. 

All in all, this is an outstanding debut for Marvel’s first family. I’m so excited to see where they go from here and how Matt Shakman follows up his career.