After years of box-office flops that fall short of fans’ expectations, Marvel’s original team has finally begun to find its cinematic footing. Although The Avengers are undoubtedly Marvel’s most well-known superhero group today, The Fantastic Four was the first portrayal of a crime-fighting squad depicted in the franchise’s comics. Multiple film adaptations have been released in the past, all of which largely disappointed both critics and die-hard fans of the original book series. However, in 2025, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” took the big screen by storm, and this classic squad is at long last receiving its flowers for blending strong emotional performances and visuals with poignant storytelling.
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” incorporates The Fantastic Four’s established superhero family dynamic into the sprawling canon of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This interpretation of the team showcases an A-list cast taking on the classic roles. Pedro Pascal (“Game of Thrones”) tackles the role of Mister Fantastic, setting his performance apart with his natural charisma. Vanessa Kirby (“The Crown”) plays Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman. Kirby does an impressive job displaying the strength and emotional complexity of her character. Joseph Quinn (“Gladiator 2”) is the Human Torch, Johnny Storm. Although the Torch is certainly a crucial contributor to the film, Quinn’s character felt underdeveloped at times. The Thing, aka Ben Grimm, is played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”), who succeeds in the highly impressive feat of bringing warmth and depth to a predominantly CGI character. The on-screen dynamic between The Fantastic Four serves to ground the spectacle of the film as a whole in a sense of poignant interpersonal connection.
One thing that sets “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” apart from previous adaptations is its loyalty to the style of the original comics. The primary artist of the original comics, Jack Kirby, is easily recognizable for his dynamic and vibrant works. Kirby’s touch has failed to come across in previous film retellings. “Fantastic Four” (2005) retained the bright and cartoony feel of the comics but was criticized upon its release for weak characters and execution. In contrast, the 2015 reboot, also titled “Fantastic Four,” had a dark and gloomy tone not reminiscent of the subject material. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has received acclaim for its successful representation of the warmth, team chemistry, and visual expansiveness that made the comics so successful in the first place. Still, the heavy emphasis on the comics’ more lighthearted tone may not connect with fans who prefer the gritty realism of many MCU films, making the deliberate aesthetic of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” a bold move for the franchise.
The retro-futuristic style of the set and characters keeps the film visually interesting. Many specific design choices were made to retain the iconic look from the comics. The cityscape plays a large part in this, with the alternate New York setting featuring far-out technology such as flying cars in juxtaposition with vintage elements like nostalgic billboards and old-fashioned storefronts. The classic light blue uniforms donned by the squad were also very developed to match the rest. the film’s aesthetic.
Costume designer Alexandra Byrne has cited 1960s ski wear, iconic American designer Rudi Gernreich, and period photography from the 50s and 60s as inspiration for her designs. The abundant thought and effort put into making “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” visually consistent and captivating is a large part of what makes the film fun to watch.
The retro-futuristic look also helps retain the charm of the comics, which fans have appreciated. However, the vivid ambiance occasionally clashes with the picture’s intense action sequences.
Despite its overall consistency, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” makes a few choices that are vastly different from the comics, such as the choice to gender-bend the character of Silver Surfer. In both the film and the comics, Silver Surfer is introduced as a secondary antagonist, the herald for a planet-devouring villain named Galactus. In this adaptation, the character of the Silver Surfer is played by Julia Garner even though the part has been depicted by male actors in all of the previous adaptations. Though a bold choice, Garner has been applauded for her resonant performance and character arc. This casting also works in favor of the film as a powerful narrative device, with the Silver Surfer’s portrayal adding to the overall themes of motherhood and sacrifice in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Although “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is not a perfect film, it does a great job of introducing a unique superhero team to the Marvel Cinematic Universe while simultaneously maintaining the aspects of the original comics that made them so beloved. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is an entertaining and deliberate film that manages to make up for the team’s failed on-screen adaptations of the past, finally giving long-time comic fans what they have been waiting for. The film’s pacing suffers slightly in its second act, where the revelation of a lot of background information slows some of the momentum. However, rather than derail the story, the format highlights how invested the film is in world and character buillding. The title is also apt, as this film is hopefully the first step in bringing the longstanding dynasty of The Fantastic Four to the big screen.