Well, well, well, Marvel has done it again. Are we surprised? Not in the slightest. Are we more excited than ever to watch the new “Fantastic Four”? Absolutely.
Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which is Marvel’s 37th film, is already earning rave reviews after select members of the film press got an early look. The response? Overwhelmingly positive. According to Variety, early viewers praised the film as a “visual fest with snappy, confident storytelling.”
Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of “Next Best Picture,” was among the lucky few invited to a pre-release screening. He called the main cast, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “delightful” and “excellent.”
Surprised by the reaction, he noted, “Many will say The Fantastic Four: First Steps is fantastic, and they’ll be right for several reasons. The four main cast members are excellent, Michael Giacchino’s lively score is instantly memorable, and the ‘60s retro-futuristic production design & dynamic visual effects are a delightful treat rather than an eyesore.”
Critics Are Calling It One of Marvel’s Best
Neglia did point out that the film’s emphasis on family might feel a bit familiar to longtime MCU fans. As far as villains, he thinks that they aren’t the most layered, but emphasized that the cast more than makes up for it.
“The cast does a lot of the heavy lifting to make you deeply care about these characters, their relationships, and the end-of-the-world stakes they face,” he revealed. “Combined with Matt Shakman’s snappy, confident storytelling, this is an intriguing and satisfying first step for Marvel’s new team—easily the best depiction of this quartet on-screen to date.”
Josh Wilding, a prominent film and TV critic at “Comic Book Movie,” echoed the praise. “Nothing will prepare you for The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” he wrote. “Pedro Pascal is the perfect Reed, but the entire cast shines and does right by these characters. It’s funny, moving, gorgeous to look at, and non-stop FANTASTIC. This is @MarvelStudios at its brilliant best.”
A Stellar Cast, a New Villain & a Silver Surprise
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit theaters July 25. It follows the 2005 iteration that starred Michael Chiklis, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, and Chris Evans. Let’s not forget the late Julian McMahon as the iconic Doctor Doom.
This time, the spotlight turns to new villains. Paul Walter Hauser plays the Mole Man, a surprise that generated heavy buzz when Marvel revealed the casting. His involvement was confirmed back in May 2024, though he was tight-lipped at the time, of course, probably thanks to Marvel’s infamous NDAs. For a good cause, though, who wants spoilers? Another twist? Julia Garner, of Ozark fame, makes her Marvel debut as Silver Surfer. The actress looks stunning in the film, might we add.
Entertainment journalist Brandon Davis called the film “one of the best things Marvel has ever done,” comparing its visuals to “Interstellar.” Yes, THAT Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar.”
“First Steps is visually one of the best things Marvel has ever made. Parts feel like Interstellar and demand IMAX. Galactus is awesome,” he said. “Silver Surfer looks really, really good. VFX was often immaculate. Cosmically and on Earth, Matt Shakman dropped a visual feast.”
Other standout cast members include Natasha Lyonne, Ralph Ineson, Sarah Niles, and the legendary John Malkovich. With this ensemble and early praise pouring in, it’s safe to say Marvel fans will be lining up come July 25.
So, are we all watching “Fantastic Four: First Steps” on opening night? Thought so.
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‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Dubbed ‘Best Things Marvel Has Ever Made’