‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ review: Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby head underwhelming Marvel superhero reboot

Dir: Matt Shakman. US. 2025. 114mins.

The newest reboot of the Improbable 4 includes a retro-cool look and profitable chemistry between its leads. However after a promising begin, First Steps falters as a consequence of a lacklustre plot that fails to discover a special approach on a well-known superhero story involving an omnipotent being that’s out to destroy Earth. Viewers are left with some likeable, grounded performances from Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach — and a gnawing sense that this visually interesting sci-fi journey is a missed alternative.

Struggles to capitalise on its intriguing premise

Opening throughout the globe on July 25, First Steps hopes to reassert Marvel’s dominance after a number of commercially underwhelming entries, together with the current Thunderbolts*, which has introduced in $382m worldwide. Pascal and Kirby’s stardom ought to bolster grosses, as will audiences’ data of the property. The Ioan Gruffudd-led Improbable 4 opened in 2005 ($334m), with a sequel ($302m) arriving two years later. The franchise was then rebooted in 2015, receiving horrible critiques and making simply $168m on the world field workplace. First Steps is the property’s first instalment as a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and these heroes might be a serious component in forthcoming Avengers chapters.

The movie takes place in an alternative-reality Earth, one through which good scientist Reed (Pascal), his diplomat spouse Sue (Kirby), Reed’s finest pal Ben (Moss-Bachrach) and Sue’s child brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn) had been uncovered to cosmic rays throughout an area mission, giving them superpowers. 4 years later, the Improbable 4 — respectively, Mister Improbable, Invisible Lady, The Factor and Human Torch — are the planet’s beloved protectors. However simply as Reed and Sue are about to welcome their first youngster, they’re visited by the sinister Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), who comes bearing a message: her grasp, the god Galactus (Ralph Ineson), is on his method to devour Earth. The one factor that may cease Galactus is that if they comply with let him have their child.

First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman, a tv veteran who helmed all of the episodes of the 2021 Marvel tv sequence WandaVision, which cleverly referenced the visible types of TV programmes from throughout totally different eras. Right here, Shakman attracts on that very same expertise for mimicry, immeasurably assisted by manufacturing designer Kasra Farahani and costume designer Alexandra Byrne, to provide First Steps with a hip, Sixties-futuristic really feel. Among the many visible delights, the Improbable 4’s spaceship is a smooth car, whereas their New York condominium is decked out with good-looking mid-century furnishings.

These impressed design particulars, complemented by Michael Giacchino’s knowingly retro synth-heavy rating, permits First Steps to maneuver away from the cookie-cutter sameness of so many Marvel instalments. Including to that feeling is the actual fact this film is self-contained, requiring no data of different Marvel movies or exhibits. Notably, Shakman spends time on the outset growing the connection between his heroes. Particularly, we perceive why Reed and Sue are so excited, but additionally nervous, about having a baby — will the newborn be adversely affected by these cosmic rays that mutated their DNA? — and recognize the shut bond Reed has with Ben, a shy, delicate pilot nonetheless adjusting to his radically altered look. First Steps desires viewers to care concerning the Improbable 4 as people earlier than the derring-do begins.

The ominous Galactus units the stage for a de rigueur comic-book showdown, besides this one is highlighted by a probably attention-grabbing ethical dilemma: Reed and Sue vow to cease Galactus, however refuse to sacrifice their child to avoid wasting Earth from eradication — how will their fellow people react to that call? However after laying out the emotional stakes, Shakman and the script’s 4 credited writers wrestle to capitalise on the intriguing premise.

A part of the issue is that First Steps rushes by way of a number of of its key character moments. The world’s anger on the Improbable 4 for selecting one child’s life over all of theirs is resolved by way of an unconvincing speech, and likewise marital conflicts between Reed and Sue are launched after which allotted with abruptly. And because the movie reaches its unsurprisingly epic face-off between good and evil, Shakman places the new child in hurt’s means so egregiously that it comes throughout as manipulative.

Not that First Steps lacks spectacular sequences. An interstellar chase, through which the Improbable 4 strive desperately to get away from Silver Surfer, ranks among the many finest Marvel motion setpieces in years. And Pascal and Kirby ably painting a relationship that’s extra mature and lived-in than most MCU love tales. However Moss-Bachrach, whose Factor is rendered by way of flawless CGI, shortly turns into a bland secondary character, whereas Quinn’s Human Torch is saddled with so many jokey quips that his essential dramatic scene fails to resonate. As for Ineson’s Galactus, he’s like so many different Marvel villains – seemingly unstoppable, not particularly memorable.