2025 hasn’t been the best year for superhero movies. Yes, I know we’re still drowning in the flood of unbridled (and often wildly hyperbolic) adulation for James Gunn’s “Superman” reboot which has certainly raked in the money at the box office. But while some fiercely defend Gunn’s overstuffed and underdeveloped concoction, neither it or Marvel’s two early 2025 releases (“Captain America: Brave New World”, “Thunderbolts*”) have come close to matching the genre in its heyday.

That brings me to the latest film from this inexhaustible genre, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. As most people know, this isn’t the first attempt at bringing Marvel’s First Family to the big screen. Roger Corman’s doomed 1994 project aside, most will remember director Tim Story’s 2005 film “Fantastic Four” followed by its 2007 sequel “Rise of the Silver Surfer”. Both had their strengths, but neither film is especially memorable. Then there was 2015’s “Fantastic Four” – a disastrous attempt at a reboot that is best forgotten.

So considering the rocky history of the Fantastic Four on the big screen and the MCU’s rockier post-Endgame track record, it’s easy to see why some would be skeptical of “First Steps”. But it quite honestly thrills me to say that this new iteration of the classic First Family is easily the best we’ve been treated to. Even more, “First Steps” is the best Marvel movie in years and a nice reminder of the MCU’s glory days. Don’t get me wrong, the movie has some issues. But considering the shaky state of the MCU, this was an exciting step in the right direction.

While I’m not a big fan of the multiverse crutch which the MCU seems fully committed to, here it allows for a story that feels refreshingly self-contained and detached from any interconnected baggage. That immediately gets the movie started on the right foot. But perhaps most surprising (and satisfying) is how “First Steps” brings to mind what was once great about the MCU. Its distinct style helps to give the film its own identity. And while it bypasses the conventional origin story, “First Steps” does a great job introducing these characters and their world.

Set on Earth-828, Reed Richards (the current everywhere man Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Reed’s best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Sue’s brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) are four years into their time as the Fantastic Four. Since an accident in space left the four with their own unique special powers, they have invested their new abilities into protecting mankind which has made them the toast of an adoring New York City.

In the movie’s early moments, Sue gets some wonderful news. After trying for two years, she reveals to Reed that she’s pregnant. As the family and the city celebrate their soon-to-be new addition, the mysterious Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) appears as the herald for Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a cosmic planet-devouring entity tortured by an insatiable appetite. Silver Surfer proclaims that Earth has been marked for destruction which sends the city into a panic.

Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny vow to protect their world. They head into space, following a trail of missing planets across different star systems, eventually encountering the massive Galactus. Reed attempts to negotiate and Galactus gives him one option – he will only spare Earth if Reed and Sue pledge to him their unborn son. They reject his offer and barely escape with their lives. Shortly after Sue goes into labor and delivers baby Franklin on the trip home.

Upon arriving to Earth, the team is greeted by an anxious and frightened public who quickly turn on their once beloved heroes after hearing of their failure. But with the arrival of the terrifying Galactus looming, the desperate yet determined Fantastic Four scramble to come up with a plan. And as with any good team, it will take all of them committing their power, bravery, and sacrifice if they’re to have any chance at saving their son and their planet.

In many ways, director Matt Shakman keeps things noticeably simple and his movie benefits greatly for it. Unlike so many recent superhero movies, he and the screenwriting team of Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer tell a tighter, more focused, and more human story where the characters are the centerpieces, their relationships are authentic, and the personal stakes are through the roof. Meanwhile they exist within a visually stunning world, flavored by a rich 1960s retro-futuristic aesthetic. There’s always something to admire on screen.

Meanwhile Galactus makes for a formidable villain. Interestingly it’s not because he gets a well-told backstory or is given some well-defined motivations. Galactus has very specific reasons for what he does which (unfortunately) are mentioned rather than explored. Still, his sheer size and scale make him a petrifying threat. Shakman does a good job relaying his enormity which is especially effective on the big screen. There are some size consistency issues, especially later in the film. But for the most part Galactus delivers as he needs to.

The movie has a few issues – some minor holes in the story, a shaky vision of Silver Surfer, and occasional instances of wonky CGI. But as a whole, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is the Marvel movie I’ve been wanting for years. Pascal, Kirby, Moss-Bachrach, and Quinn have great chemistry and are key reasons why the themes of family, devotion, and sacrifice resonate so strongly. Best of all, “First Steps” looks and feels different than any of the more recent MCU assembly line productions. It hearkens back to the ‘good old days’ when MCU movies felt special and left you excited for more. And for the first time in a while, I find myself excited for more.

VERDICT – 4 STARS