The Fantastic 4: First Steps 2025
Directed by Matt Shakman
- Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
- 115 min
- PG-13
Welcome to the family.
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
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Epic, nostalgic, effortless and resolved.
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- contemporarynostalgic
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- Chris Sawinon TMDB · Jul 20258/10
Much of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is built around Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) getting pregnant and having their child, Franklin. Everything seems to be built around baby proofing and preparing for someone new to enter their lives until The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives to let everyone know that an enormous cosmic being named Galactus plans to swing by and eat the entire planet. The superhero film feels like a sci-fi film from the 1960s, which makes sense since Fantastic Four #1 debuted in 1961. Maybe it’s the bright colors or the fact that H.E.R.B.I.E. is featured so prominently, but the first half of the film feels like a multi-episode arc of The Jetsons. Things are lighthearted and fairly silly until The Silver Surfer shows up. But The Fantastic Four and James Gunn’s Superman seem to be honoring the silver age of comic books, which is a welcome change for superhero films. Oddly, the marketing makes it seem like the family bond amongst The Fantastic Four is so strong because it doesn’t seem that great while watching it. The film isn’t an origin story, as you only get a brief montage of how they got their powers. But there’s a lot of inde
Read the whole review on TMDB - CinemaSerfon TMDB · Jul 20257/10
Well good news, after ages and having given up trying “Sue” (Vanessa Kirby) and boffin “Reed” (Pedro Pascal) are going to have a bairn! This is great news for her brother “Johnny” (Joseph Quinn) and the stony fourth member of their gang “Ben” (Egon Moss-Bacharach). The news is greeted enthusiastically by their adoring fans too, but those celebrations are cut short when a mysterious woman descends from what looks like a meteor shower to forewarn them that their planet is doomed. Her (Julia Garner) boss “Galactus” (Ralph Ineson) is on his way, and he is hungry for not just some rare earths, but all of it! Blessed with their array of super-powers, the quartet embark in their warp-capable rocket to meet this chap and he offers them an alternative to global destruction. It’s one hell of a sacrifice for the would-be parents though, but with the fate of humanity hanging on their decision - what will they choose? Perhaps they can think of a scientific alternative? There is a slightly retro-look to the production, with their flying car looking like a converted Citroën that belonged in a Jacques Tati film, and there is plenty of inter-galactic adventure with some effective visual effects, a
Read the whole review on TMDB - Manuel São Bentoon TMDB · Jul 20257/10
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-review-marvels-first-family-finally-gets-the-film-it-deserves/ "The Fantastic Four: First Steps not only introduces a team with the potential to lead the MCU's new era, but also establishes its own distinct identity: heartfelt, visually striking, and emotionally grounded. Between Michael Giacchino's chilling score and the immersive retro-futuristic aesthetic - not to mention the undeniable chemistry among the four leads - there's a rare cohesion in this origin story, despite a few secondary issues. The emotional weight in Vanessa Kirby's expressions, the intimate dilemmas faced by Pedro Pascal, and the vulnerability shown by Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach reveal an uncommon care for human detail. If these are the first steps, they're sure-footed - and full of soul." Rating: B+
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Cast
- Pedro PascalReed Richards / Mister Fantastic
- Vanessa KirbySue Storm / Invisible Woman
- Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
- Joseph QuinnJohnny Storm / Human Torch
- Ralph InesonGalactus
- Julia GarnerShalla-Bal / Silver Surfer
- Paul Walter HauserHarvey Elder / Mole Man
- Natasha LyonneRachel Rozman
- Sarah NilesLynne Nichols / F4 Chief of Staff
- Mark GatissTed Gilbert
Crew
- Matt ShakmanDirector
- Josh FriedmanScreenplay
- Eric PearsonScreenplay
- Jeff KaplanScreenplay
- Jess HallDirector of Photography
- Michael GiacchinoOriginal Music Composer
- Nona KhodaiEditor
- Tim RocheEditor
- Kevin FeigeProducer
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Pairings
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