Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) (film/dvd review).
How many ‘Fantastic Four’ films have there been now? The Corman one few if any have seen but would like to. One film had a close approximation of what the characters should look like. One with Johnny Storm is coloured. Now this one, where Reed Richards (actor Pedro Pascal) has a moustache. About the only thing the filmmakers haven’t done is go with the early Lee/Kirby and have Reed smoking a pipe as a signal of his intellect.
The film, ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’, begins on Earth 828, though the significance of this setting is unclear. We get a quick resume of the FF’s early adventures. The film features everyone from the Moleman to the Mad Thinker. Doctor Doom’s chair appears vacant. They are also elevated in the public eye and are media icons. It looks like at least ten years into their lives, as Franklin is about to be born. The fact that the New York police officers are wearing old-style caps and raincoats likely contributes to the accuracy of the scene. H.E.R.B.I.E. (voiced by Matthew Wood) is also there as the Richards’ house servant.
Next, we witness the arrival of Silver Surfer (actress Julia Garner), who declares that Galactus is about to consume Earth. The first major change is that the Silver Surfer is now portrayed as a female character. DA773 is the surfer’s energy signature. I researched the reason for the change, which was to differentiate the character from ‘Fantastic Four: The Rise Of The Silver Surfer’. Oops, another film forgotten. I’m sure people would have preferred accuracy to the comic book.
I always thought it a bit dubious of the FF having their pogo-plane taking off in the middle of Manhattan, but they do it with a shuttle this time. They unite with a bigger power unit in hunt of Galactus (actor Ralph Ineson). Speaking of which, we have a Galactus closer to the comic book rather than a puddle of energy. Galactus will spare the Earth in exchange for Sue’s baby. They aren’t exactly pleased with that and flee with the Surfer pursuing them. They lose her in a singularity and manage to return to Earth. Oh, and Sue (actress Vanessa Kirby) gives birth on the way back.
Earth’s people aren’t pleased with why the FF didn’t hand over Franklin (actor Ada Scott), especially as Reed’s tests show him normal. They, in turn, are trying to find a different solution. Richards’ solution is to put mechanisms across the Earth to teleport it to the safe zone of another star system and hide it from Galactus. When the Surfer destroys the pylons, they have to come up with a different solution, and that means the rest of the film is under spoiler conditions. I can say that the solution remained consistent with their capabilities. Mostly. It does make Sue Richards their most powerful team member.
To be fair, it is watchable, and I’ll even forgive the Thing’s (actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach) chin getting extended when he tried shaving before the power went off. Oh, another significant role was the Human Torch (actor Joseph Quinn), who was able to translate the Zenn-la language from collected alien communication discs acquired over the years, similar to the one we sent out on the Voyagers. The note that the FF will reappear in ‘The Avengers: Doomsday’ does raise a question as to whether this is on the formal Marvel Earth and, if it is, where the rest of the superheroes were while this was going on. Then again, that was also the question mark with the original three-part comic book.
Oh, watch the credits for a ‘4 years later’ and right at the end for some animation from the animated show.
GF Willmetts
January 2026
(pub: Marvel Studios, 2025. 1 DVD, 110-minute film. Price: varies. ASIN: BUA4034101).
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn and many more.
Check out the website: www.marvel.com.
