The Fantastic Four: Next steps (2025) ★★★★½
Marvel is back, baby!
I went into this with low expectations. From the trailer, I thought the characters were mediocre, the CGI on the Human Torch and Thing weren't that great, and the retro-futuristic 60s aesthetic, inspired by The Jetsons, isn’t my thing.
But about 30 minutes in, a major twist lands hard, followed by one of the best action sequences I’ve seen in years, on par with some of the best Star Wars set pieces. The twist instantly raises the stakes for the team's survival. Sure, you know they'll probably make it out, but I was so immersed that I stopped thinking like a critic and just went along for the ride.
I’ll admit, I’m a bit biased. Fantastic Four was one of three comic series I read religiously as a teenager. My ranking back then was:
1. Iron Man
2. X-Men
3. Fantastic Four
Still, I haven’t felt this connected to a Marvel movie since Endgame. There have been a few highlights—Shang-Chi being the standout—but most of Marvel’s recent output hasn’t come close to recapturing that magic until now. This film doesn’t hit the same emotional highs as Endgame, but it came surprisingly close. And the mid-credits scene left me genuinely excited about what’s ahead, especially with Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon.
This also renewed some of my faith in Kevin Feige. I’ve told my sons more than once that both Feige and Kathleen Kennedy should probably move on for the sake of the franchises they oversee. But now I’m reconsidering—at least with Feige. He seems to have been playing a longer game than I realized. The only thing that kept it from being a 5-star experience for me was a few heavy-handed comic book tropes.
One example: the obligatory rousing speech. Vanessa Kirby delivers it, and while it starts off strong, it eventually overstays its welcome. By the end, the manipulative emotion felt forced.
The cast was excellent—Pedro Pascal gave Reed depth and weight, Julia Garner was a fascinating take on Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson made Galactus genuinely intimidating. His gravelly voice and presence gave the character real menace. I thought Vaness Kirby was excellent as well, although I found evidence of plastic surgery annoying at times. (Long story, read the comment thread of my recent Dangerous Animals review for context).
I still don’t love the design choices for the Torch and Thing, but they grew on me. Especially Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm—his performance really brought the character to life. And I ended up liking Ben Grimm’s updated look, especially once the “rock beard” appeared.
Galactus and Doom are easily the best villains since Thanos and Loki, and I’m excited to see how they play into future phases. This film feels like the start of a new, more focused era.
There’s a moment at the end—meant to echo the quiet, reflective tone of the original Avengers ending- that got to me. It’s played not for laughs but for heart, and it’s the first time I’ve felt genuinely emotional in a Marvel movie since Tony’s sacrifice in Endgame.
Director Matt Shakman really stepped it up here. I wasn’t a fan of WandaVision, but this was a giant leap forward. This is my third-favorite film of the summer, after 28 Days Later and Superman.
Here’s hoping Marvel keeps this momentum going.
