The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a 2025 superhero movie made by Marvel Studios. It was released on 25 July 2025 and is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This movie is in the English language and belongs to the Action, Adventure, and Sci-Fi genres. The film is 1 hour and 55 minutes long and is directed by Matt Shakman.
This is not the first Fantastic Four movie, but it is a fresh start with a brand-new cast and storyline. The movie has received mixed to positive reviews from people and critics. Many fans were excited to see how Marvel would introduce these four superheroes into the MCU. Some liked it a lot, while others felt it could have been better.
The movie has a 6.9 rating on IMDb as of now. People on social media have different opinions. Some say it's a good start and exciting, while some say it's too slow. Our team at Holly Review gives it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Let’s go deeper into the movie and see what worked and what didn’t.
Review
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first movie of the Fantastic Four team in the MCU. Marvel has taken a simple and slow approach to tell the origin story of the characters. This movie does not focus much on action. Instead, it tells how the four characters meet and get their powers. The director has shown more emotions, family bonding, and some science-fiction elements.
If you are expecting a big action movie like Avengers or Spider-Man, you may feel a little bored in some parts. But if you want to know the background and feelings of each character, you may enjoy it. The visual effects are good, and the story is serious but sometimes fun.
Story
The story begins with Reed Richards, a smart scientist, who is working on a new technology. He brings together his close friend Ben Grimm, his love interest Sue Storm, and her younger brother Johnny Storm. They all go on a mission that changes their lives forever. A mistake in space gives them superpowers.
Reed can stretch his body, Sue becomes invisible, Johnny controls fire, and Ben becomes a strong rock-like person. But their powers create many problems. They face confusion, fear, and public attention. A new villain, played by Ralph Ineson, brings danger to Earth, and the Fantastic Four must come together to save the world.
The story is slow at first but picks up speed in the second half.
Cast
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic – A brilliant but soft-spoken scientist who can stretch.
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman – A caring and strong woman who becomes invisible.
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch – A fiery and funny young man who can control fire.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing – A powerful man with a kind heart who turns into stone.
- Ralph Ineson as the main villain – A new threat from space.
- Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, and Natasha Lyonne also play small but important roles.
Acting
The acting in this movie is one of its best parts. Pedro Pascal gives a thoughtful performance as Reed. Vanessa Kirby shows both strength and emotion as Sue. Joseph Quinn adds some humor and energy. Ebon Moss-Bachrach shines as Ben, and his emotional scenes are very touching.
The villain is scary and serious, and Ralph Ineson plays the role with confidence. The chemistry between the four leads is also very nice, and it looks like a real team forming.
Direction
Director Matt Shakman has taken a new path in the superhero genre. He tries to tell a deeper story about people and their changes. Some fans may feel the movie is too slow, but the director clearly wanted to show the human side of superheroes. His vision is different, and he is clearly setting up the future of the team in the MCU.
Critical Response
Critics have given mixed to good reviews. Some praised the acting and emotional scenes. Others said the film is not exciting enough. Big websites and YouTube reviewers mostly gave it 3 to 3.5 stars. Many believe that it is a good start, and the next Fantastic Four movie will be better.
Many fans liked that Marvel tried something new. Some people said the film is not funny like other Marvel movies, and that may disappoint regular MCU fans.
Plus Points
- Fresh new cast and very good performances.
- Emotional scenes and strong character building.
- Good background music and sound effects.
- Realistic visual effects.
- A new type of storytelling for Marvel fans.
Minus Points
- Less action than expected for a superhero movie.
- The first half is slow and may feel boring to some.
- The villain is not very memorable.
- Some side characters are not used well.
- Humor is less compared to other MCU movies.
Technical Department
The movie looks great on screen. The cinematography by Jess Hall is clean and stylish. The camera work during space scenes and transformation moments is very well done. The special effects are smooth and not overused.
The editing is fine, but the film could have been shorter by 10 minutes. The costume design and set design also match the tone of the movie. Everything feels modern but also simple, which works well with the story.
Music Review
The background score by Michael Giacchino is good. It is not very loud but gives the right feeling during emotional and action scenes. There is no big song or anthem in this film, but the background score helps in storytelling. Some scenes become more powerful because of the music.
Verdict
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a decent reboot of the superhero team. It is not a fast or loud movie like other Marvel films. Instead, it tells a slow and careful story about four people who are trying to understand their powers and place in the world.
It is not perfect. There are some boring parts, and the action is less. But it also gives a strong base for future movies. The acting is good, and the direction is different but smart. Fans who love deep stories and emotions will like this film more.
Our final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Should You Watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Yes, you should watch it if you are a fan of Marvel movies or superhero origin stories. If you liked earlier MCU movies but want to see something fresh, this is a good option.
If you want non-stop action, you may feel a little bored. But if you enjoy watching characters grow and change, you will like it. This movie is a first step, and it opens the door for bigger adventures in the future.