July 2025 is probably one of the most important months in the history of comic book movies for the big two. Superman's first appearance in 1938 was the dawn of the superhero and what would become the DC Universe. The Fantastic Four's debut in 1962 was the beginning of the Marvel Universe we know today. While Superman's latest film has achieved success on par with the original, the Fantastic Four have desperately needed a win on that frontier. From a so bad it's good 90's film that was never officially released to a moderately successful duology in the 2000's and the disastrous reimagining of the 2015 film, Hollywood hasn't been kind to Marvel's first family. Now with Marvel Studios finally in charge of the property that put them on the map, "Fantastic Four: First Steps" gives fans the film they've always wanted in what could be considered a love letter to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's original run.
While there were plenty of real life and story reasons to set this outside the Sacred Timeline, giving the Fantastic Four their own universe (named Earth-828) to play in was the right call. The filmmakers did an excellent job in capturing the retro aesthetic of the 60's while incorporating elements of what future technology would have thought to be like in that time period. If the film's style reminds me of other superhero films, it's The Incredibles films and surprisingly "The Batman." The Incredibles films had a similar retro style and the family themselves were inspired by the Fantastic Four, so seeing it done in live action with the archetype of the superhero family was a real treat. And much like how "The Batman" created a Gotham that felt so distinct from any real-life city, Earth-828 showcased a world similar to our own but had its own flair. It was a breath of fresh air from the rest of the MCU films and the superhero genre altogether.
I don't think this film could have casted a more perfect ensemble for the Fantastic Four. The actors nail what have made these characters endure for over six decades, from their mannerisms, interactions, and (with the help of the effects team) their abilities. Pedro Pascal captures Reed's intelligence and struggle to properly express his emotions. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is able to shine the humanity of Ben Grimm through the monstrous exterior of the Thing. Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm will probably surprise viewers, because while he's still the youngest and most impulsive of the group, he shows he's not to be underestimated in other areas. And Vanessa Kirby steals the show as Sue. While she's already depicted as a strong woman, her badass-ness is elevated from her need to protect her newborn child.
In a change from the traditional story, the film takes the "Earth X" route by making the Silver Surfer Shalla-Bal (Norrin Rad's love interest). While some crowds would call this change "woke", it's actually to add a parallel to Sue's story as Shalla swore herself to Galactus mainly to protect her own child. It's what makes her arrival on Earth not just a warning of the extinction Galactus will bring, but it could also be seen as her trying to give them a chance to save their world as she did. I really have to applaud Julia Garner's performance as even before she begins to turn from Galactus, you can see the subtle touches in how she's not fully on board (pun slightly intended) with her lot in life. It results in what I think is a better redemption story than what was presented in the 2007 film and will make you want to see more of her.
Then there's the big planet eater himself, Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson. Depicting a comic accurate Galactus on the big screen can be a challenge, but the way Marvel approached it was brilliant. It's said that's he's been alive for an incalculable amount of time, and we can see that in his ship, armor, and face. There's a dirtiness and sickness in his aura that makes his presences even more foreboding than one would already expect from this type of character. He's like an addict with how his hunger will never be fully satisfied. When he finally makes his move, we get what I believe to be Marvel's first real kaiju moment as he creates a path of destruction through New York. It makes for an exciting climax and in turn an emotional aftermath.
This July delivered a win for DC and now for Marvel. "First Steps" finally does right by the Fantastic Four on film and reaffirms Marvel is getting itself back on track as the road continues to the next two Avengers films. The new FF will return for that and I look forward to seeing them becoming part of a larger universe than they know.
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