MOVIE TITLE:     The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The newest action/adventure/sci-fi/fantasy/superhero movie opened in theaters on July 25, 2025.

RATING:     PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 54 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE:    B+

Featured Product Today:

You can rent the movie on Amazon Prime at:  https://amzn.to/3IkXfZy

You can also buy the action figures on Amazon at https://amzn.to/46OVFY0

IN A NUTSHELL:

Marvel introduces its first family: Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/the Thing, and baby. They face an impossible challenge of protecting their family and planet Earth from an evil space god called Galactus.

The film was directed by Matt Shakman. He was inspired by the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and because of that, tried to use as many practical effects as possible. Screenplay was by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. The story is based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Screenwriting credits go to Peter Cameron.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• We see a pregnanet woman’s pained face as she gives birth to her baby
• Superhero violence
• People are in danger
• A villain is menacing

THEMES:

• Family
• Parenting
• Sacrifice
• Teamwork
• Humanity

THINGS I LIKED:

• We’ve never seen a superhero or Marvel movie quite like this one. Is it perfect? No, but it centers around the importance of family and has a lot of heart. It’s not necessarily an origin story but another version of the telling. It’s sweet and focused.
• It blends action with humor. I could have used even more humorous lines and moments, but I laughed out loud when three of the male superheroes tried to install a baby seat into a car. Ha ha  Been there, done that!
• The cast is fantastic and includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson, Paul Walter Hauser, and more!
• The original trailer showed John Malkovich, but his character, Mole Man, was cut due to time. Drats. I would have sat in my seat longer just to see a few scenes with him.
• It was fun to create a setting with a 1960s aesthetic. Fantastic set designs! It’s supposed to take place within the MCU on Earth-828. The number comes from the creator’s birthday, August 28.
• The film offers a unique look at superheroes as parents. There is nothing like the fierce love of a mother. Vanessa Kirby is terrific in everything she does.
• If you’re a true Fantastic Four fan, you might notice that the monster the Fantastic Four fight at the beginning of the movie is a respectful nod to the 1961 comic book cover! A lot of the source material has been featured.
• Another respectful nod goes to the cast of the 1994 movie The Fantastic Four that was never released. The actors who played the lead characters in that unseen movie get short cameos and voice-overs in this one! Nice touch! They include Alex Hyde-White, Jay Underwood, Rebecca Staab, and Michael Baily Smith.
• Fun fact: During the entire film, we can see signs that say “Timely Comics”. Did you know that was the original name of Marvel Comics? Cute.
• I love that the title refers to more than just one thing: the baby’s first steps, the first steps of a new cycle of Marvel, and the first steps of a new family forming.
• Keep watching during the rolling credits for more pictures and video clips. If you know anything about Marvel movies, you know to stay in your seat until the very, very end so you don’t miss the bonus scene. You’ll also see some text on the screen that states, “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.” If you need to catch up with the saga or refresh your memory of what happened, check out this Avengers film collection!

• At the end of the film you’ll see a quote by Jack Kirby, the creator of the Fantastic Four: ”If you look at my characters, you will find me. No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of you must remain there.”  The quote, itself, is intriguing, but I also thought it was especially poignant regarding the theme of parenting in this movie.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Ben Grimm’s rock-man reminded me a lot of Korg, the rock guy in Marvel but without the New Zealand accent voiced by Taika Watiti.
• More humor would have been even better. I still think Guardians of the Galaxy nailed it in the humor department. I love that playful franchise.
• The HERBIE robot was cute, but I wish it had more personality. It was created, using CGI, remote-controlled animatronics, and a wooden puppet.
• The action sequences are fun and exciting but nothing we haven’t really seen before.

FUNNY LINES:

•  “We were okay, but this is better!” – Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic)
•  

INTERESTING LINES:

•  “Sometimes, you being you hurts me.” – Sue Storm/Invisible Woman
• “We must use our time wisely to be with the ones we cherish.” – announcer
• “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.   Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – announcer quoting Margaret Mead, the American cultural anthropologist 

Other Fantastic Four MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Fantastic Four: https://moviereviewmom.com/fantastic-four-underwhelms/
• Fantastic Four: https://amzn.to/48CrQw7

WATCH THE Movie Review Mom YOUTUBE REVIEW WITH THIS LINK:

Coming soon!

 @MovieReviewMom  @TrinaBoice

Thank you so much for your financial support on Patreon!

Be sure to check out all of the gifts you can receive when you donate to Movie Review Mom on Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/m/MovieReviewMom