Movie Review: The Fantastic Four - First Steps

The 2025 reboot of Fantastic Four marks the third official iteration of Marvel’s first family on the big screen, following the campy charm of the 2005 version, the grim-dark 2015 attempt, and of course, the elusive unreleased 1990s one. But this version? It hits a sweet spot, serious without being bleak, and fun without being silly.

This time, the story takes place on Earth-828, and it wastes no time establishing the team dynamics. Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben have already become the Fantastic Four, and there’s a warmth in how this movie portrays them as a real family, especially with Sue expecting a child. But the heartwarming vibes don’t last long, as the appearance of the Silver Surfer and the looming threat of Galactus throw Earth into cosmic danger. Without giving too much away, the team must make some truly impossible choices when it becomes clear that Galactus has set his sights on Sue's unborn baby.

Now let’s talk about what really works in this movie. First off, the score. My God, the score. I haven’t been this emotionally moved by music in a superhero movie since Avengers: Endgame. Every scene, especially the cosmic ones, had this cinematic grandeur thanks to the soundtrack. You feel the stakes. You feel the vastness of space. Galactus? Terrifying. The sense of hopelessness when he arrives? Absolutely chilling. And Silver Surfer? sorry, I mean Shalla-Bal, finally got the treatment she deserves. That space surfing scene? Chef’s kiss.

I also love how they handled Sue Storm. Pregnant and still leading the charge to save Earth? It’s giving powerful women energy in the best way. She’s smart, grounded, and the emotional core of the film. Johnny Storm, usually the comic relief, actually gets to be useful this time around, which was a nice change. Reed Richards, however, felt a little underwhelmed. Sure, he’s the brain of the team, but they barely scratched the surface of what his powers could really do. Ben Grimm? He’s still lovable and strong, but took more of a backseat this time, mostly being the team’s emotional anchor.

My biggest gripe? The runtime. Just under two hours for a story this grand? Criminal. There were scenes that definitely needed more room to breathe, especially in the second act, where most of the action was sacrificed for planning. I also wish we had more creative displays of their powers. This is the Fantastic Four after all, we came to see some stretchy limbs, invisibility shields, rock punches, and flames flying!

But still, this movie worked. It felt like a real family, fighting to save their world and each other. And the ending? Beautifully bittersweet with a dash of hope. Be sure to stay for the mid-credit scene. It’s wild, and fans of a certain green-cloaked villain are going to scream.

Rating: 9/10

Watched at: IMAX, TGV One Utama