Marvel's “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has recently been revealed to members of the film press, and the initial reactions are overwhelmingly positive. Critics are praising the film as a “visual feast” with “snappy, confident storytelling” that aligns perfectly with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ethos. Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, shared his thoughts on X, stating that this Marvel tentpole truly embodies its namesake of “fantastic.” He commended the film’s “excellent” leading quartet and its “delightful” retro-futuristic aesthetic, noting that, “Combined with Matt Shakman’s snappy, confident storytelling, this is an intriguing & satisfying first step for Marvel’s new team—easily the best depiction of this quartet on-screen to date—as the MCU continues to regain control of the ship & steer it closer to ‘Doomsday.’”
Entertainment journalist Brandon Davis also took to X to express his enthusiasm, labeling “Fantastic Four” as one of the “best things Marvel has ever done.” He drew comparisons between the film's visuals and those from Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film, “Interstellar.” “Galactus is awesome. Silver Surfer looks really, really good. VFX were often immaculate,” Davis remarked. He further emphasized that “Cosmically and on Earth, Matt Shakman dropped a visual feast” that audiences will not want to miss.
People staff writer Sharareh Drury echoed the sentiment, declaring “Fantastic Four” to be “breathtaking.” She particularly praised the performances of Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, who portray the iconic MCU power couple Reed Richards and Susan Storm, respectively. “With stunning visuals, a moving story, witty banter, and epic action, Marvel’s First Family delivers one awesome ride,” she stated. “Pedro Pascal nails it as Mr. Fantastic, while Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Storm—she’s a shooting star.” Alongside Pascal and Kirby, the ensemble cast includes Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing).
“First Steps” follows the titular super squad as they defend Earth from the colossal planet-eating space tyrant, Galactus. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film features a script penned by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, and Jeff Kaplan. The cast also includes Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser. In an exclusive report by Variety, it was revealed that John Malkovich was initially slated to appear in “First Steps” as Red Ghost but was ultimately cut from the film. Shakman expressed his disappointment, stating it was “heartbreaking not to include him in the final version,” while also feeling “honored” that Malkovich had joined the project in the first place. “There were a lot of things that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor,” Shakman noted. “When we were building a ’60s retro-future world, introducing all of these villains, and developing the main characters, a lot had to be balanced, and some elements had to go to shape the film's final version.”
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit theaters on July 24. For those eager to hear more about this exciting new installment, here are additional first reactions:
“FantasticFour is a story about family above all else, where each member of the team is equally important. No one is underserved; the movie excels when fleshing out the various bonds between Pedro, Vanessa, Ebon, & Joseph. The retro ’60s aesthetic works on all fronts.” – Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626)“FantasticFour is a masterpiece. The visual effects and the score are a HUGE standout. Galactus is huge in IMAX. It’s emotional and gives you hope. It beats you off and doesn’t stop. STAY until the END CREDITS.” – Deo (@frickyuu)“Fantastic Four friggin’ rocks! More than any Marvel movie before it, F4 feels like Jack Kirby’s imagination brought to life on the big screen. Between this and Superman, 2025 might go down as the year movies finally embrace the wonderful weirdness of comic books.” – Chris Killian (@chriskillian)