Fantastic Four: First Steps General News & Discussion Thread (TAG SPOILERS)

[InCali]

I never use Rotten Tomatoes to determine if I won't see a movie, but its 87% rating does kind of have me stoked "to" see it.

I'll see First Steps before I see the last one.

 

[Zantera]

Saw it yesterday and really enjoyed it!

When I grew up reading comics I always had a soft spot for Fantastic Four. Sure I had a few other titles closer to my heart (Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men) but Fantastic Four was definitely a team I liked a lot. The family dynamic, how they complimented each other and worked together as a team. I also really appreciated how a lot of enemies they stopped boiled down to coming up with plans and Reed being the mastermind. I even enjoyed the Tim Story Fantastic Four movies when I saw those way back. They don't really hold up as well anymore but still silly fun.

I was a little bit mixed on the casting of this initially. More a "not sure how these will fit" rather than disliking the options. But having seen the film I thought everyone was great. Big fan of Pedro but I was worried he might just play 'himself', was very pleased to see him getting some of the characteristics of Reed down. I loved the scenes when it's suggested he has thought about the idea of giving up their son (because of logic and lack of other options) and he really nailed the 'brilliant but flawed' scientist that Reed Richards is. Vanessa Kirby was great as Sue Storm and really elevated that character in a way that someone like Jessica Alba didn't. I really enjoyed this version of Johnny Storm too and he had more to him than just being a hothead. I was happy to see him contribute by cracking the alien language. The Thing is probably my least favorite but I still enjoyed him. I think partially it's because I really enjoyed Michael Chiklis as The Thing previously and I haven't watched The Bear so this guy is still a bit of a wildcard to me.

I loved Galactus and felt he was one of the more imposing villains we've had in a while in the MCU. Though I will say Galactus really feels like more of an Avengers level threat. He's an interesting villain because of his motivation and he's not just out to destroy the universe because "haha i want power". I like that we get his perspective of being tired of doing this and wanting someone else to take over so he can be done. But I feel like my main take away from this film was loving how the team worked together and it felt nice having heroes be heroes again. I liked seeing normal humans talking about Fantastic Four in a positive way treating them like the heroes they are!

On a side note I'm also finally able to see Superman tonight (been backlogged since I've been on vacation and had other things) but I heard that movie is also very 'heroic' and I'm excited for that.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I’ve seen 3 times since Thursday. Words fail me. Unfortunately, I’ve had to work all weekend so I haven’t had time to check back in here and properly type up my review—but I will. For now, I’ll just simply say I could not be more proud to be a lifelong True Believer. I’m so happy I could cry manful tears.

 

[The Caped Knight]

 

[psylockolussus]

A $ma$h hit.

 

[JP]

Let's hope it has legs. The general audience seems to be digging it.

 

[Bran The Man]

Saw the Fantastic Four yesterday afternoon and the best way to describe is... Fantastic.

It places emphasis on family AND teamwork in a way that I REALLY enjoyed and even makes science COOL!

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Gamma Goliath]

Saw this Thursday night and had a great time with it. It's the Fantastic Four I've waited my entire life to see. They nail so much of it, there's a true love of the source and it shines through. I can't wait to see it again hopefully next weekend. My initial score is 8/10.

 

[P Supreme]

who would've thought that making Marve's first family into a family movie
absolute triumph for IMO

power of motherhood above all

 

[MahvelBaby!]

It's weird that this film is shorter than Superman (by like 10min) but it feels longer? They were able to pack in so many things while not feeling rushed or overwhelming at all

I was just thinking the same exact thing!

I think it's because it's more streamlined and not needing to introduce a whole cinematic universe

 

[Spider-Fan]

The movie breezes by at a great pace IMO. The plot moves, it never gets boring, the characters are clear, and it's just well done. For me, it didn't need to be any longer

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

Agreed. It actually felt longer to me than its actual runtime (in a good way). Didn't feel like it missed a beat.

 

[InCali]

who would've thought that making Marve's first family into a family movie
absolute triumph for IMO

power of motherhood above all

I don't see it until tomorrow, but, from all reports, they didn't screw with the source material like (esp) the last one did (again, from all reports, as I never saw that abortion). As people who care about such things, we don't like it when personalities and relationships get EF'ed around with because some moron who never really cared about the material wanted to make a "good movie".

I'm in the (maybe small) camp that didn't think the 1st Tim Story movie was that bad (okay....Sue's character was the worst of the group). Chris nailed Johnny (he's still likely going to be my favorite Torch), the relationship between Ben and Johnny was pretty cool, and I think McMahon was fine as Doom. Gruffudd got a little off track as Reed at times, but I don't really put that on him. Overall, I found it acceptable, but not completely satisfying.

 

[Spider-Fan]

In regards to the Story cast, I liked Chiklis and Evans. Both those characters were largely fine, though the focus on Johnny as like the co-lead of ROTSS made him sort of annoying and he needed a more scaled back role.

Reed and Sue sucked. Reed was far too bumbling geek and Sue was a nothing character. Doom though got it the worst. They turned him into Dollat Tree Norman Osborn. He was awful. I despised what they did with him the most.

But I don't blame those actors. I blame the script. What they had on the page was garbage

 

[MahvelBaby!]

I actually rewatched the Story movies recently and I had forgotten how mean spirited Johnny's humor was in it. Maybe I've changed lol

I know alot wanted a more comic accurate Johnny but it felt refreshing not to think he was a *****e bag from the get. An interesting review I watched on YouTube from Coy Jandreau he mentions that Johnny not being that way robs him of an arc in the film but I didn't feel that way personally.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I actually rewatched the Story movies recently and I had forgotten how mean spirited Johnny's humor was in it. Maybe I've changed lol

I know alot wanted a more comic accurate Johnny but it felt refreshing not to think he was a *****e bag from the get. An interesting review I watched on YouTube from Coy Jandreau he mentions that Johnny not being that way robs him of an arc in the film but I didn't feel that way personally.

Cause those people need to feed the grifters

 

[Primal Slayer]

I still love the 05 actors. Esp Johnny. Even Albas Sue wasn't that bad, just needed to tone down the sexualization of Sue (obbvy not Albas fault).

The powers were used probably better than First Steps.

But First Steps is still superior

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Breaks a Box Office Curse

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/business/media/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-box-office.html

 

[P Supreme]

In regards to the Story cast, I liked Chiklis and Evans. Both those characters were largely fine, though the focus on Johnny as like the co-lead of ROTSS made him sort of annoying and he needed a more scaled back role.

Reed and Sue sucked. Reed was far too bumbling geek and Sue was a nothing character. Doom though got it the worst. They turned him into Dollat Tree Norman Osborn. He was awful. I despised what they did with him the most.

But I don't blame those actors. I blame the script. What they had on the page was garbage

I too watch the Story films and it's were getting older I found Johnny mean spirited as well
and I didn't appreciate how good Gruffudd was as Reed

 

[Morg]

 

[InCali]

Just got back from seeing the movie and really enjoyed it. Many steps above any of its predecessors. From the very beginning, it was clear that Vanessa Kirby was a brilliant casting choice. She flat out nailed the part and the cast just clicked; although Chris Evans is still my fav HT. To me, it seems pretty clear that, going forward, the FF is going to be the new face of the Marvel Universe.

In particular, I loved the family aspect, the "hi tech" 60's groove, the relatability of the characters, and the
.

One REALLY minor annoyance...
. It didn't add anything and I just found the look rather distracting from what was a visually great

EDIT: Huh.....spoiler tag doesn't seem to be working.....what am I doing wrong????

 

[Frodo]

The interesting thing, with the response to film, is the two parallel universes that the geek pundits and fandom live in , as opposed to the entertainment press.

Alot of The Geek pundits ,and parts of fandom, are calling the performance disappointing, with doom and gloom scenarios about it's future performance , and some just ragging on the film for not having a bigger opening than Superman.

Meanwhile, the trades are praising it for overcoming the franchise's past baggage, for a big opening, and critics and audiences enjoy the film .

I guess it's just another example of how the expectations of fandom are often disconnected with those of Audiences and people who aren't part of the fandom bubble.

I don't know how the film will do this week , but it's still interesting to see the different responses .

 

[Spider-Fan]

Fans were calling Superman a flop after 1 weeks also. In truth, they don't know anything or have too high expectations. The OW was good. Maybe not a home run, but it was still very good. This didn't have to beat Superman or make a billion dollars. See the numbers I posted, domestically speaking this movie is going to out perform quite a few MCU 1st solo films. It won't have the same international grosses many of them did, but that's just how the market has been for everyone.

The FF are going to be the like....3rd best performing movie since Phase 5 started in all likelihood. They will be not just featured, but main characters in Doomsday and maybe Secret Wars. At minimum, they're going to get 1 sequel. Now, if that hypothetical sequel tanks like The Marvels, then they're done. But I feel very good staking whatever internet reputation I have that they get at least 1 sequel.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

Fans were calling Superman a flop after 1 weeks also. In truth, they don't know anything or have too high expectations. The OW was good. Maybe not a home run, but it was still very good. This didn't have to beat Superman or make a billion dollars. See the numbers I posted, domestically speaking this movie is going to out perform quite a few MCU 1st solo films. It won't have the same international grosses many of them did, but that's just how the market has been for everyone.

The FF are going to be the like....3rd best performing movie since Phase 5 started in all likelihood. They will be not just featured, but main characters in Doomsday and maybe Secret Wars. At minimum, they're going to get 1 sequel. Now, if that hypothetical sequel tanks like The Marvels, then they're done. But I feel very good staking whatever internet reputation I have that they get at least 1 sequel.

*cough* Dave Cullen *cough*