Fantastic Four: First Steps Offers Style, But Leaves More to Be Desired

As a fan of the comics and various iterations of the Fantastic Four, I was expecting to really enjoy this, but to be honest, I walked away feeling a bit underwhelmed.

To its credit, this is a visually stylish movie that fully embraces the comic book and sci-fi side of the Fantastic Four. The '60s retro-futuristic aesthetic gives the film a unique and appealing atmosphere. Visually, it looks great, and the space action sequences are some of the most impressive parts. Galactus, in particular, is portrayed as an imposing and menacing force, and his presence adds a sense of scale and tension that really stands out.

The performances are solid across the board. While I didn’t find the Fantastic Four themselves particularly compelling from a character standpoint, the actors do a good job with what they’re given. Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm is easily the standout—she brings emotional weight and strength to the role and has some great moments that show off her powers.

However, the story is where things fall apart. It feels incredibly rushed, and instead of allowing key plot points and character relationships to develop naturally, the film relies heavily on exposition. There’s a lot more telling than showing, which weakens the emotional impact. Many characters feel underserved, especially the Silver Surfer. Her subplot with Johnny goes nowhere, and she doesn’t get nearly enough screen time to leave a lasting impression.

The pacing also drags in places. Despite being a superhero movie, it lacks energy and consistent action. The final battle in the third act is especially underwhelming—it never hits the emotional or visual highs that you’d expect from a climactic showdown.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is worth watching for the spectacle and succeeds as a self-contained MCU film. But overall, it’s missing that special ingredient that would make it memorable or rewatchable.