The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

[starmike]

Merch from last night.

I tried to post from the theater, but Imgur was being a d**k again. They used to have a direct link from the mobile app, and now it doesn't work anymore.

The way it used to work was you'd tap on the image, tap the image a second time, and tap the share button to get the link.
Now the link is imgur.com/a/something/#whatever so you have to manually edit the URL to be imgur.com/whatever.jpg

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by starmike

[Show spoiler]

Got the Galactus one… it’s big

[spider-neil]

Best superhero movie of the year (by a country mile) and I’ve seen the 3 Marvel movies and 1 DC movie.

[El Rey]

saw this last night, best Marvel in a while. now give me a dope steelbook

[salz4life]

Originally Posted by Col. Zombie

Well, it was certainly better than the last two FF films but I wouldn't put it up there anywhere near the thrill Infinity War or Endgame.

This is the underlying problem with Marvel and the general public now.... everyone is comparing the movies to Infinity War and Endgame. Those were "crescendo" movies. The previous 10 years of films built up to those two movies. Endgame, in particular, was basically the end of that story. Marvel began a new "big story" and have struggled. Obviously, a lot of it is there on doing, but I think a small part of it is the general public (and by general public, I mean not the hardcore MCU followers) expecting "Endgame" from all of the following movies. Just a thought.

As for this movie, I loved it. I thought Vanessa Kirby shined, but really all 4 of the main characters were excellent in their roles. I did think they kind of wasted Natasha Lyonne on a side character that didn't play much of a role. That was disappointing. Shalla-Bal was excellent and her interactions with Johnny were great. I think the star of the movie, overall, were the visuals. Earth-828 looked incredible. It kind of makes me wonder if the F4 might lose a bit when they ultimately end up in Earth-616. I couldn't keep myself from reading spoilers on the mid-credits scene, so that wasn't a surprise.

My guess is the post credits scene from Thunderbolts is connected to Doomsday. Overall, I really enjoyed this movie.

[salz4life]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I found it a slight bit above okay. Ben and Sue were great, Johnny was a bit better than expected but Pascal’s Reed is just a big miss for me.

Their use and conclusion of Galactus was incredibly underwhelming. And the whole Silver Surfer choice was…

[Show spoiler]so Johnny could think she’s hot?

Really?

The story and execution were sloppy and had no sense of urgency despite what was happening in the plot or proper depiction of how much time was passing.

Some of the effects shots were among the worst the MCU has ever turned out (which is saying something). Ben talking in the street outside the church early on was quite bad. Galactus looked bad throughout. The abomination of a CGI baby

I've seen a lot of people not like Pascal as Reed. I thought he was fine, not great by any means, but not bad either. What was the issue with him? I didn't read the comics so I don't know if that has something to do with it or if it's something else. I know some of it from randoms on Twitter and Social Media has to do with his "odd" interactions with Kirby in interviews and other media things. I don't think that's the case here. I'm just intersted in knowing the issues.

[jeff BD]

Originally Posted by saxomaphone

It's just a cliche thing to say. I think someone else said in the thread earlier as well. "We're back, bb!"

Anyways, I also didn't like how the main plot

[Show spoiler]was Galactus needing Richard's/Sue's kid for mumbo jumbo reasons, because the writers just needed an excuse to fight Galactus on a scale for the Fantastic Four.
IE: Him not needing any baby and just wiping out earth= No movie, how convenient-ismism. And why did The Thing grow a beard? is it a comic book or something. Odd.

Well its the first time ive ever uttered those words.. dont care ehat others have said. I can only state how I feel.

I also feel like your complaints were very well laid out in the film. Were you on your phone during the movie?

[PSYCHICGUY]

I've just watched, and I have to admit I was left underwhelmed.

[Show spoiler]The direction was fantastic, but the script from 4 people(!) let down everybody.

With the quick introduction of their origin and Galactus/the Silver Surfer, and Franklin's powers in the comics... I was expecting them to fail and end up on a different Earth thanks to Franklin, rather than a simple time jump.

IMO, it would've been interesting to have them jump from universe to universe until they could eventually stop Galactus, and it would've fit in well with the ominous atmosphere of the first two-thirds of the movie.

Oh well. Still, it got me excited for a proper sequel, and I hope they take the time to develop the characters more, because everything felt a bit too surface-level and rushed to me. But to be fair, I had the same issue with Thunderbolts, and people have been praising it so much. Maybe the MCU isn't for me?

That being said, the production design was AMAZING, if not award-worthy. I also found the transmission scene (without the dull flashback) very touching, and I really enjoyed the score.

I'd give it a 6 out 10.

[mwynn]

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Real Powers | Now Playing In Theaters - YouTube

[jeff BD]

Originally Posted by PSYCHICGUY

I've just watched, and I have to admit I was left underwhelmed.

[Show spoiler]The direction was fantastic, but the script from 4 people(!) let down everybody.

With the quick introduction of their origin and Galactus/the Silver Surfer, and Franklin's powers in the comics... I was expecting them to fail and end up on a different Earth thanks to Franklin, rather than a simple time jump.

IMO, it would've been interesting to have them jump from universe to universe until they could eventually stop Galactus, and it would've fit in well with the ominous atmosphere of the first two-thirds of the movie.

Oh well. Still, it got me excited for a proper sequel, and I hope they take the time to develop the characters more, because everything felt a bit too surface-level and rushed to me. But to be fair, I had the same issue with Thunderbolts, and people have been praising it so much. Maybe the MCU isn't for me?

That being said, the production design was AMAZING, if not award-worthy. I also found the transmission scene (without the dull flashback) very touching, and I really enjoyed the score.

I'd give it a 6 out 10.

Whats wrong with the script? It didnt do what you would have or wanted them to do so its bad?

[duggie walker]

Not just the best Marvel movie of the year...

Not just the best FF movie by far...

Not just the best Marvel movie since ENDGAME...

For me, this makes my Top 10 best MCU movies list.

Not flawless, obviously - what is? - but it really gave me Old-School Superman '78/ Raimi Spider-Man vibes and that makes me very happy.

Didn't realise how much I missed a comic-book movie with A-List characters that feels standalone; and it makes me a bit sad that we likely won't see another FF movie set in this retro-futuristic setting.

I enjoyed SUPERMAN quite a bit but I preferred this, not for any infantile DC/Marvel rivalry reasons, but because I felt the decision to set it in a superhero-filled world robbed Superman of some of his grandeur. Perfectly understandable choice by Gunn but it left me just a little underwhelmed.

Anyway, very glad we've had two more-than respectable comic book movies in an otherwise disappointing batch of Summer blockbusters, the worst of which was JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH, imo.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

At the theater seated now and waiting for The Fantastic.

[mwynn]

Marvel’s First Family, The Fantastic Four, Arrives in Fortnite - YouTube

[StarWarsIsAwesome123]

It goes without saying that Marvel’s first family has had a rocky road in film over the past few decades. Due to a clear vision and passion for the project and these characters, those involved delivered big time in their efforts to faithfully bring the F4 to the screen.

Coincidentally, this is the 2nd major CBM in a row to forgo the origin story framework and jump right in. However, the opening newsreel montage I think was a savvier way to establish these characters and bring the audience up to speed, along with plenty of great character-driven moments before any real action takes place. While there are potentially world-ending stakes, at its core it’s a surprisingly intimate story about the bond that this found family shares. As overexposed as he’s been lately, Pedro Pascal brings the right amount of shrewdness and humanity to Reed. Sue is the heart of the team for much of the film, and Vanessa Kirby delivers on the dramatic elements. Ben and Johnny also bring the proper balance of humor and empathy to the proceedings, said humor feels more organic than your typical MCU quipping. Visually it’s certainly one of the best looking CBMs in recent years, the production design and CGI bringing the retro-futuristic aesthetic to life is remarkable. The chase sequence in space is both insanely tense and visually stunning. The team uses their powers sparingly before the 3rd act, but I think it made for some terrific payoff.

I think the villain aspect falls a little short however. Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson bring some nice gravitas to Silver Surfer and Galactus (superb VFX work on them too), but they feel a bit underwritten (a few extra minutes might’ve helped). Also, a couple CG elements aren’t up to par with the rest and stick out like a sore thumb (particularly the baby). In the end though, it’s a triumph and for me the best superhero film this year. 8.5/10

[supersix4]

Thought it was great back to the roots they'd kinda gotten away from since Endgame.

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by SuddenFall

Saw this last night and was pleasantly surprised. I'm giving Superman a slight edge based on the action scenes and the better tension throughout that movie, but for what it was it was pretty good. I just hope it fits in with the rest of the MCU that makes sense, but we'll see. Best of the three MCU movies this year by far, although that's not a high bar to cross I suppose.

The only reason I could give Superman any edge would be personal bias for the character. I've always been exponentially more into Superman than I was the Fantastic Four.

Had my first exposure to those characters been these two movies, though, that likely would not have been the case. I love them both, but feel "Fantastic Four" is way more rock solid of a movie than "Superman". Coincidentally, that felt like the most "comic book" Marvel movie I've seen - could be also due to the whole "retro" vibe going on, but the shout out to a string of comic book villains and Paul Walter Hauser who actually seemed like he might've got lost on his way to a James Gunn movie...

Although... I'll admit that I am a sucker for a propsulive score. Giacchino's score is so next level and it makes me wonder why Marvel has not been adamant about getting strong themes in these movies. The only one who I think has come up with a strong theme is Alan Silvestri. Giacchino's Spider-Man stuff was decent - I could at least identify it. Otherwise, if you asked me to musically associate anything to almost any other MCU characters that didn't come from Giacchino or Silvestri, I doubt I could.

But, this movie got a huge assist from that score. I would've let a lot slide given how well that score was working for me with the visuals, but I don't feel I needed to. If this movie had any narrative defects, they went right by me. I came out of "Superman" going, "but... why?....huh?....how come?"

And, yes, the 3D was great. I had to send the theater an e-mail since it's the second 3D movie I've seen there with pink/purple blobs all over the right 1/4 of the screen, but that only rears it's ugly head the whiter the image gets (which is why it was especially gross at times in "Superman").

[starmike]

Originally Posted by BrandonJF

But, this movie got a huge assist from that score. I would've let a lot slide given how well that score was working for me with the visuals, but I don't feel I needed to. If this movie had any narrative defects, they went right by me. I came out of "Superman" going, "but... why?....huh?....how come?"

Exactly this. That's why I said I had no notes after a few hours of FF whereas with Superman I was thinking "but this made no sense, and that makes no sense".

Tight scripts, people. Tight scripts.

[Star Lord]

I loved the way this film established F4 as being in their world and seen as heroes so well.

[saxomaphone]

Originally Posted by kannibaliztik

[Show spoiler]I feel like you didn't even pay attention. Galactus only feeds because he has to, Franklin has the power to end that.

and Thing grows a beard because they are conserving power for the teleportation plot, there's a whole scene about it.

[Show spoiler]Ditto. I've read just abit on the Franklin thing since then. It's cannon but still doesn't translate well to cinema, so they get a pass with that.

And I'm well aware that the thing grew a beard because they were conserving energy, but at the same time, why did he have to grow facial hair at all? And where was everyone else's facial hair? And why wouldn't he shave it off after the "bridges" were destroyed and there was some time (days?) between their teleporting earth plan failed that the need for conserving energy wasnt required. It seemed like a random decision to include it on him for some reason.

[Bolty]

I hate when I can't order a movie like this as soon as I see it.

I need this on my shelf!
Also, I hope there is a ton of deleted scenes on the disc. I know this movie had lots.