Fantastic Four: First Steps – A Cautious Beginning That Barely Walks

Going into Fantastic Four: First Steps, I’ll be honest—I was hesitantly optimistic. Marvel's recent track record hasn’t exactly been confidence-inspiring, and I didn’t know whether this film would add to the pile of forgettables or manage to pull something worthwhile from the rubble. The short version? It’s better than what came before it... but that’s a low bar to clear.

Image by Disney

Better... But That’s Not Saying Much

Yes, this is the best Fantastic Four film so far—but let’s not throw a parade just yet. That’s like saying a sprained ankle is better than a broken leg. It’s still not a good time. This isn’t Infinity War or No Way Home. It’s more like a cautiously made, safe middle-ground that never dares to do anything bold or game-changing.

Image by Consequence.net

Retro Aesthetic Done Right

On the positive side, I liked the unexpected characters that popped in here and there, and I thought the alternative 60s timeline worked surprisingly well. The aesthetic was actually one of the stronger parts of the movie—it didn’t feel forced or gimmicky, which is always a concern when playing with era stylization.

Image by Gizmodo

The Four – A Mixed Bag

Let’s break down the team:

• The Thing: Way better than the trailers made him look. He came across with emotional weight and didn’t fall into full-on cartoon territory. Practical and CG effects blended decently here.

• Human Torch: Solid. Classic Johnny Storm. His humor landed, and his screen presence made sense. The effects when he flamed on? Great. No complaints here.

• Sue Storm: Visually? Perfect. Acting? Fine. But something about her didn’t click with the team dynamic. She always felt slightly out of sync—almost like she was in a different movie.

• Mr. Fantastic: Here’s the real misfire. Pedro Pascal is talented—no doubt. But just because he’s the flavor of the month doesn’t mean he belongs in every role. He didn’t feel like Reed Richards. The effects on his powers were solid, but the casting just didn’t land for me. Sometimes “fine” just isn’t enough.
  

• Something else I should mention was that the team really didn't work as a team. Not at all like in the comics. Kind of a let down.
  
  

  

  Image by Bam Smack Pow

Galactus: Right Shape, Wrong Look

Credit where it’s due: he looked like Galactus, not some swirling cloud of CGI nonsense. But the actual effects were rough, and that's generous. We’ve seen what Marvel is capable of with Thanos. Galactus, on the other hand, looked like a cutscene from a mid-budget video game. It was visually jarring and disappointing every time he appeared.

Image by ComicBook.com

Silver Surfer – Strong Presence, Weak Shine

The female Silver Surfer was a pleasant surprise. She held her own, played a meaningful role, and felt like more than a gimmick. That said, the visuals did her no favors. Somehow, the effects from Rise of the Silver Surfer—which came out in 2007—looked better than what we got here. That’s inexcusable.

Image by People

Where's the Bigger Picture?

Here’s the biggest issue: zero connection to the larger MCU. One vague throwaway line about “parallel realities” doesn’t cut it. If Marvel is serious about bringing this team into the fold before Secret Wars, they need to start now. This should have had a thread leading somewhere, but it stood entirely on its own—and not in a good way.

Image by Nerdist

Doomed Before He Even Arrives

Now to the real heartbreak—Doctor Doom. Or rather, the complete absence of him. One blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mention that Latveria’s rep didn’t show up, and a shadowy figure in the mid-credits. That’s it. Doom is not some disposable villain; he is the villain in the Marvel universe. If we’re heading into Secret Wars, he needs to be built up properly. No one’s asking for him to be the big bad now, but at least show him doing something—anything. Instead, we get silence. It’s infuriating.

Image by Looper

Final Score: 3 out of 5

Fantastic Four: First Steps is painfully average. It's not a disaster, but it’s nowhere near what it should be either. There are moments of promise—some cool effects, solid performances, and good world-building ideas—but they’re buried under a mountain of missed opportunities and weak storytelling. I didn’t regret the ticket... but I also didn’t leave excited. And that’s a problem.

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Pros:

✅ Retro 60s aesthetic actually works
✅ The Thing and Human Torch are handled well
✅ Female Silver Surfer adds a strong presence
✅ Galactus looks like Galactus (finally)

Cons:

❌ Weak connection to the wider MCU
❌ Pedro Pascal is miscast as Mr. Fantastic
❌ Galactus effects are embarrassingly poor
❌ Zero real build-up for Doctor Doom
❌ Sue Storm felt disconnected from the team

Verdict: It’s better than what came before, but not by much. Marvel needs to stop “just existing” and start telling stories that mean something again—before audiences fully check out.