The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

[Snikt]

Marvel’s First Family is FINALLY done justice! The cast is, indeed, FANTASTIC. The story is wonderful & the human spirit, once again, proves it can overcome ANYTHING in this film!

8.5/10

[50strat54]

I don’t recall The Human Torch ever saying “Flame on!”

[adamclark83]

Originally Posted by mwynn

Is it a theater chain?

https://www.unitedcinemas.com.au/

[Mr. Chaverria]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

I don’t know anything about Earth 828, 629, 72 or whatever

I stepped into 1961!

This movie is a loving tribute to the early FF comic books. I enjoyed the movie. Did this movie have the emotional wallop of Captain America The First Avenger or The Dark Knight. No, it did not, but First Steps was still a very good movie.

Maybe it’s just my imagination but I think the Director and Writers of First Steps really liked 2007’s Rise of the Silver Surfer. There seemed to be many touchstones from that film. Especially the role of Sue Storm.

The Fantastic Four and The Silver Surfer go together like peanut butter and jelly, I always loved it when Silver Surfer appeared in an FF issue.

I guess you can use the multiverse to justify anything, hence a female Silver Surfer. I really liked her but she does not top 2007 SS. That was a dead on portrayal.

Excellent movie less flawed than Superman 2025 but I still liked Thunderbolts better, best superhero film of the year for me. Captain America Brave New World was also very good. These films a great improvement over The Eternals, The Marvels, Ant-Man Quantumania, Madame Web, WW 1984. Notice I didn’t mention Kraven The Hunter which I thought was great.

I’ll be seeing it again on Sunday as a friend wants to go and I’m looking forward to stepping into 1961 again.

Also, the casting was very good especially Vanessa Kirby. She did Jessica Alba proud, now please don’t throw anything at me. Loved them both.

It's not Alba's fault but her character isn't unique enough that many other woman couldn't have done just as well, her Sue Storm is just not good. Her films got Reed, Johnny, and Ben mostly right but Sue was the worst of the bunch for sure. The Fox films just never did that character justice at all.

[Mister Fantastic]

Originally Posted by Mr. Chaverria

The Fantastic Four, they're my superhero team. And I've not seen a good adaptation of them, partial elements in some for sure but not as an overall to the 4. Until this one. As a comic fan, it was great. I teared up w/ that beginning intro cuz it was literally just feeling everything that I felt the FF were. From Kirby/Lee to now. The sense of wonder, weird, and adventure. It was beautiful. Sue Storm was finally done justice and Vanessa Kirby was amazing for it. She's the best character in the film. They really cared about making her work, finally.


I haven't bought a Marvel film in a while. But this one for sure am I all over for. My favorite superhero team done justice finally at this scale. The interesting thing about this film and Superman is that they just really honored the characters souls to make it work. Well done, DC and Marvel.

Everything you said right here, especially the bolded parts, 100% completely agree with!

[Mr. Chaverria]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

I don’t recall The Human Torch ever saying “Flame on!”

There are a lot of audio and visual changes from the marketing to the final released film, all minor but still unique. I had seen so much of the trailers and such that when I expected it in the film to not see it, it surprised me. Wonder how long they were tweaking this film till release?

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by Mr. Chaverria

It's not Alba's fault but her character isn't or unique enough that many other woman couldn't have done just as well, her Sue Storm is just not good. Her films got Reed, Johnny, and Ben mostly right but Sue was the worst of the bunch for sure. The Fox films just never did that character justice at all.

Nope, hater.

[buckeye1]

Originally Posted by Bolty

Disney never does that. They wait 10 weeks at least.

Than another 10 weeks before it's released.

[Mr. Chaverria]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

Nope, hater.

For the films, the only value of that Sue Storm is that she's played by the attractive Jessica Alba. It was a very weak surface level character that she had. Her acting is fine cuz that role wasn't asking for much w/ it either. Alba was the weakest actor of the forefront main cast for sure. She stands out weak among the batch. Again, they didn't hire her for acting skills... Obviously.

As an adaptation of the character, it was poor. It literally just dragged her back mostly to the 1960s. She was as valued and important as she was back when. The girl of the team w/ all the tropes she could have. Easily the least popular version of the character. All this development of her character to be matured and actually importantly valued to the comics? The films disgraces the heart and soul of the character. She gets better in 2 but it's still unremarkable.

[busaikuknee]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

I don’t recall The Human Torch ever saying “Flame on!”

It wasnt in the cartoon

[Spearmint701]

Easily the best MCU movie since Endgame. They nailed it. Vanessa Kirby did a magnificent job as Sue Storm, she was the heart and soul of this movie. Pascal was great as Reed Richards, and I really felt the family dynamic between Sue & Reed.

Galactus was perfect. Could have used more screen time, but we may see him again.

They got so much right about this movie, and they needed to. Music, casting, setting, all top notch. Great to see Marvel's first family done right. Stoked to see it again.

8.5/10

[slumcat]

It’s terrible. DC fans had a nervous breakdown in the Superman thread when I gave Superman a negative review. I wonder how the Marvel fans in this thread will react. I blamed Superman for being overstuffed and that there was too much going on. Fantastic Four is the opposite. It is understuffed and there is little of note going on.

The film seems like an extended preview of a film we should have been watching. It is really underbaked. The characters are really underdeveloped. And it seems like a sketch or a concept of a movie rather than a real movie. The script is truly terrible. The dialogue lacks any kind of wit or insight.

This isn’t a complaint only aimed at Marvel—or rather Fantastic Four. Screenwriting in general in Hollywood is in the absolute dumps now. Jurassic World Rebirth was equally bad. Watching these movies leaves you with the same feeling you have after eating a cheat meal. A greasy, disgusting cheat meal. It makes you feel sick and you realize it was absolutely not worth it.

I realized I haven’t actually seen many films after Endgame in the MCU. The most watchable post-Endgame MCU film to me is Guardians of the Galaxy 3. The one aspect of the film that I liked is Michael Giacchino’s score. But even that began to wear out its welcome after he played his theme for the 20th time within the first 30 minutes.

I really have no desire to watch this film ever again. And it honestly lessens my interest in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Like, honestly, what even is the point of these movies anymore? They have nothing to say, nothing to show. Nothing remotely interesting—not a single memorable image across any of them. It’s just so many pixels up there on the screen.

1 star out of 5

[John1701D]

[NVllyRnnr]

Originally Posted by Mr. Chaverria

The Fantastic Four, they're my superhero team. And I've not seen a good adaptation of them, partial elements in some for sure but not as an overall to the 4. Until this one. As a comic fan, it was great. I teared up w/ that beginning intro cuz it was literally just feeling everything that I felt the FF were. From Kirby/Lee to now. The sense of wonder, weird, and adventure. It was beautiful. Sue Storm was finally done justice and Vanessa Kirby was amazing for it. She's the best character in the film. They really cared about making her work, finally. Herbie is awesome too. A character that was despised over time and then later lovingly integrated w/ purpose and appreciation in the comics. He was even important and I'm glad that he was a part of the team. Past 20 years have shown be used more to be beloved and useful.

The film was great. And didn't waste time. Felt it made every moment matter, very personable and important the interactions. Lean for sure w/ the runtime. No fluff. Impressive. Enough that they cut out some things we've seen in the marketing. Not just changing/tweaking but out right cutting out bits. I hope they include deleted scenes on the home video release especially cuz they're expensive. A reintegration of

[Show spoiler] Malkovich within the film itself would be nice. We see a bit of Red Ghost in the credits. Though his existence is included in the film too.

. It'd be cool if we got that in an extended but that's not the MO for this company w/ home media either, alas. This is a world that was there before us and we're jumping in, akin to Superman.

The dynamic nature of the world is awesome. The acting is sooo good too. Especially Vanessa Kirby. They did her up well at the end within the chaos but her acting sold it well making me feel her strain in the action. The whole cast is awesome. I hate that Marvel, other major studios are at fault too, dumbs down their characters but here we get adults of various styles actually acting like adults. Humor is solid. Never overutilized needlessly as so many Marvel films tend to. Thunderbolts is one where something like Red Guardian's hard stop nature of humor just knocked it down a bit cuz you could cut out most of it and nothing changes. Here everything feels integral and with a soul.

The inclusion in a first film of Franklin Richards is bold. And it works. I have to say, out of seeing births on film... this one was so romantic and beautiful. It was very lovely. Usually they're not great or something is off but this one was perfect. Very much homing in on the heart of the characters. There is great thrills and chases that really impress too. It just worked for me, the whole movie.

Galactus is perfect. He's amazing to see and hear. Anything that he's involved in is just great. Ineson was perfect for it. Julia Garner was good as Silver Surfer. They really made her have impact when the film would get us to see her.

[Show spoiler]I don't remember Fox's sequel too much but wish this Surfer could show off more of her power cosmic.

The action of her is exciting and intense. Her presence is also of intrigue and curiosity for us. Every inkling we get of her we wonder more and more of this person, the mystery of who the heart of this person is.

[Show spoiler] I don't mind that we see her before the power cosmic... she just looked very cheap and dull on her planet w/ who I assume is her daughter possibly. Kind of wished we saw her leave Norrin Radd instead.

.

Aside from the theme I don't remember the music. Just cuz it all felt so marbled in together so well. It felt so wonderfully integral and part of its nature. Very well controlled and utilized. Bombastic to perfection, so much heart and oomph when needed.

Mr. Fantastic's CGI was done was VERY VERY controlled and mostly carefully of when to do it. Some spots look iffy when they'd get too far in the ridiculous. And some scenes you could have just not done the stretching of his limbs and it'd be fine too. The Thing looks great. He's perfect w/ that rocky texture. This is a knock to all CGI companies that have had this issue but sleeves that have some bagginess or looseness to them just isn't perfect a lot of the time. The Thing had some issues w/ some over the waist clothing at times. It is what it is. Galactus, Surfer, and so much more was great. Space sequences were awesome. Sound effects were great.

I haven't bought a Marvel film in a while. But this one for sure am I all over for. My favorite superhero team done justice finally at this scale. The interesting thing about this film and Superman is that they just really honored the characters souls to make it work. Well done, DC and Marvel.

Fantastic review. Thank you.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by Mr. Chaverria

As an adaptation of the character, it was poor. It literally just dragged her back mostly to the 1960s.

That’s what I liked about her.

Lots of people on here dislike and disparage Alba’s acting and her portrayal of Susan Storm. I grew up with Fantastic Four. I read the comics and watched the cartoon when it premiered.

Jessica Alba perfectly captures the Invisible Girl. Just as Vanessa Kirby does. The casting for both films is very good.

That’s the way I felt in 2005/2007 that’s the way I still feel.

It’s obvious how important Rise of the Silver Surfer is to First Steps. Everything in this movie screams 60’s Fantastic Four.

Jessica Alba’s casting does not diminish Rise of the Silver Surfer in any way, she was an integral part of the film.

It’s fine you don’t feel that way. You’re wrong but that’s ok, it’s just a movie.

[Snikt]

I’d like to add, let it be known, never mess with a mama bear! Sue going beast mode was goosebump inducing!

[Mecha42]

I liked this much more than I was expecting to, especially after I found the trailers to be underwhelming. Can't wait to see more of this cast.

[BluBonnet]

Cinemascore: A-, on par with Thunderbolts* and Superman

[Resident Evil Labs]

Originally Posted by slumcat

It’s terrible. DC fans had a nervous breakdown in the Superman thread when I gave Superman a negative review. I wonder how the Marvel fans in this thread will react. I blamed Superman for being overstuffed and that there was too much going on. Fantastic Four is the opposite. It is understuffed and there is little of note going on.

The film seems like an extended preview of a film we should have been watching. It is really underbaked. The characters are really underdeveloped. And it seems like a sketch or a concept of a movie rather than a real movie. The script is truly terrible. The dialogue lacks any kind of wit or insight.

This isn’t a complaint only aimed at Marvel—or rather Fantastic Four. Screenwriting in general in Hollywood is in the absolute dumps now. Jurassic World Rebirth was equally bad. Watching these movies leaves you with the same feeling you have after eating a cheat meal. A greasy, disgusting cheat meal. It makes you feel sick and you realize it was absolutely not worth it.

I realized I haven’t actually seen many films after Endgame in the MCU. The most watchable post-Endgame MCU film to me is Guardians of the Galaxy 3. The one aspect of the film that I liked is Michael Giacchino’s score. But even that began to wear out its welcome after he played his theme for the 20th time within the first 30 minutes.

I really have no desire to watch this film ever again. And it honestly lessens my interest in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Like, honestly, what even is the point of these movies anymore? They have nothing to say, nothing to show. Nothing remotely interesting—not a single memorable image across any of them. It’s just so many pixels up there on the screen.

1 star out of 5

This was hilarious

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by Mecha42

I liked this much more than I was expecting to, especially after I found the trailers to be underwhelming. Can't wait to see more of this cast.

Agreed! The trailers, honestly, did not do this movie justice. Movie is soooo good.