Director: Matt Shakman
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and and Joseph Quinn
‘A Captivating Blockbuster’
When it comes to the world’s greatest superhero teams which audiences adore, it’s worth discussing The Fantastic Four. Since its creation in the 1960’s, the Fantastic Four is a fantastic superhero team that has taken the world by storm. On a personal level, I find the superhero team to be relatable. At an early age, I developed relationships with a boy that admired a superhero team with courage. A massive fan of the Fantastic Four, his heart would always soar when he got to discuss superheroes he had grown up to adore. He became excited whenever he got the chance to see the Human Torch light up a flame. It didn’t take long before I formed bonds with a boy that would adore the Fantastic Four. Fond of Sue Storm, he adored a team that inspired him to make his dreams come true. He loved to plan trips to the theatre to see movies with his mother who was also a comic-book fan. However, death brought his love for the Fantastic Four to a closure. When his mother passed away from Cancer, my friend lost interests in a team he used to treasure. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring myself to see superhero films after his mother died. No longer a fan of the Fantastic Four, he lost obsession with heroes he didn’t adore anymore. As he became overcome by sadness, our bond faced endgame. Years later, the Fantastic Four has become a sad reminder of a friend that I treasure.
As someone treasuring a a superhero team taking its first steps, I adored “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. Released in 2025, Matt Shakman’s movie celebrated the team’s legacy. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is Vanessa Kirby, who portrayed a heroine facing catastrophe. Although “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is fantastic, it isn’t a flawless film. It lacks compelling villains. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of the superhero team.
Set in the 1960’s, “Fantastic Four: The First Steps” follows a superhero team facing catastrophes. Vanessa Kirby portrays Sue Storm, a heroine that has grown to value her fantastic team. Assisted by her husband Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue has always thrived saving the world from villains causing panic. However, Sue’s life changes when she gives birth to a baby boy causing disaster. As her precious son becomes victim of supervillain Galactus, Sue questions whether she can save the world from threats that are dangerous.
Matt Shakman is fascinated with comic-book movies. A fantastic filmmaker, Shakman has often produced great movies about superheroes that face danger. With “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, however, Shakman created his first superhero team movie. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to honour a legendary superhero team’s legacy but he succeeded tremendously. Evoking Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers”, Shakman effectively uses montages to capture the bonds between a superhero team seeking to save the world from dangers. For instance, montages elevate the superhero rescue scene. During this memorable scene, the Fantastic Four team up to save Sue’s baby from Galactus. It reminded me of my bond with a friend that appreciated a team which collaborated. Montages are tricky techniques to use. As Christopher McQuarrie’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” suggested, montages elevate spy blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through breathtaking visuals, Shakman captures tensions that a superhero team is facing.
Another fantastic aspect of “The Fantastic Four” that merits appreciation is the production. Shakman effectively uses costume-design to capture the strong bonds between a superhero team facing a decline. Throughout the movie, Sue’s costumes play a pivotal role in capturing her tense conflicts with the Fantastic Four team. For instance, conflicts elevate the family argument scene. During this intense scene, Sue has an argument with Rex over the fate of their baby facing catastrophe. Through stunning costumes, Shakman creates a heroine that’s compelling. It reminded me of my broken relationships with a friend that lost interest in superheroes after his mother died leaving him emotionally devastated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Michael Giacchino’s music contributes to the film’s success. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that teams bear. Through phenomenal production, Shakman honours a fantastic team on a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Fantastic Four” is a fantastic comic-book movie which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture a superhero’s desire to be a successful mother. Women have rarely been given opportunities to shine in the Fantastic Four movies. For instance, Tim Story’s “Fantastic Four” depicted Sue Storm as a helpless woman unable to achieve dreams she has grown to adore. Evoking Cate Shortland’s “Black Widow”, Shakman uses dramatic monologues to capture a mother facing sorrow. Throughout the movie, Sue’s monologues capture her efforts to protect her child from catastrophe. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the public speech scene. During this unforgettable scene, Sue delivers an emotional monologue explaining her love for her endangered baby to the media. It brought back fond memories of a friend that shared a strong relationship with his mother he loved dearly. Through a spectacular screenplay, Shakman honours a superhero team that’s beloved today.
One appreciates astonishing cast performances.
Vanessa Kirby delivers one of her greatest career performances as Sue Storm. Kirby achieved appreciation for playing pregnant women in arthouse dramas. With “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary super-heroine but she succeeded tremendously. Evoking Gal Gadot in Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman”, Kirby created a strong heroine that inspires wonder in women. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, courage and strong spirit of a lionhearted mother seeking to protect her precious child from villains. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses which is currently working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Vanessa Kirby, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Pedro Pascal is phenomenal, capturing the sorrow of a superhero father seeking to protect his team from villains that glow. Joseph Quinn is fantastic, bringing hilarious comical relief to a superhero with abilities to light up in flame causing shame. Lastly, Julia Garner merits appreciation. As the Silver Surfer, she is heartbreaking.
Although “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is a fantastic comic-book blockbuster, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks villains which are compelling. For instance, Galactus is a one-dimensional villain that lacks a proper motivation beyond world domination. Due to this faulty villain, scenes capturing Galactus’ plans to destroy the Earth aren’t as engaging as the Fantastic Four’s journey. Whereas this subplot involving menacing villains elevated the Russo Brothers’ “Avengers: Endgame”, it clashes with the comedic tone of this movie. Comic-book movies thrive based on the strong quality of their memorable villains, and in this regard “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of the iconic superhero team will definitely adore “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A fantastic comic-book movie, it honours a fantastic superhero team with a lasting legacy.
Nearly 70 years after the Fantastic Four were first introduced in comic-books that captivated public, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary superhero team that has been portrayed in unforgettable movies which are without a doubt considered iconic.
As strong as bonds between the Fantastic Four, it has motivated me to move on several years after ending unsure relationships with a friend that lost interest in heroes he didn’t appreciate anymore when his mother died whose passion for fantastic superhero teams inspired me to achieve dreams of film criticism that I adore.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 