After multiple failed attempts, Hollywood finally got it right—a truly great Fantastic Four adaptation. Everything feels just right: the retrofuturism, the sci-fi spectacle, and, most importantly, the theme of family. It’s all beautifully done. But here’s the Thing—or rather, two things—that keep bugging me.
Here’s the Thing: Where Is the Thing?
To be fair, each member of the team gets a chance to shine.
Mister Fantastic is the brain of the group, no question. The plan to lure Silver Surfer into a black hole? His idea. The teleportation device? It’s his. The Excelsior spaceship and FTL engine? All him.
Invisible Woman gets arguably the most powerful moment in the film, single-handedly pushing Galactus into a teleporter. Her maternal strength and willingness to sacrifice herself for her child were incredibly moving.
Human Torch shows real growth, shedding his cocky persona to become a key player—decoding Silver Surfer’s language and convincing her to betray Galactus.
But when it comes to The Thing, something feels… off. Sure, he helps maneuver the Excelsior out of a black hole—but that’s part of Reed’s plan. Yes, he punches Galactus in the final act—but the propulsion comes from Johnny. It doesn’t feel like his moment. It feels like he’s there, not leading.
If I had to guess, his scenes were cut. The entire first act, including battles with Mole Man and Red Ghost, is reduced to a TV show montage. That might’ve been where Ben Grimm was meant to shine—and without it, his role feels shortchanged.
Galactus: Slow and Not-So-Steady
Here’s my second nitpick: why is Galactus so… slow?
The Fantastic Four manage to locate and reach Galactus at faster-than-light speed. Then, they coordinate with world governments to build massive teleporters in every major city. That should take months. Meanwhile, Galactus—an intergalactic cosmic being—takes forever just to get to Earth?
It makes him seem… underwhelming. The delay lowers the stakes and makes this universe-ending entity feel oddly powerless.
Yes, their plan does fail in the end, which re-establishes Galactus’s dominance to a degree. But still—it could’ve been handled more elegantly. A being of that scale shouldn’t feel like it’s stuck in traffic.
Still, It’s Pretty Fantastic
Despite those flaws—likely caused by scenes being cut—this movie remains a triumph. Like the best Superman movie released this year, it puts the “human” in superhero. Each member of the team faces a personal struggle: ethical dilemmas, emotional sacrifices, and tough moral choices. And that’s what the genre should be about.
We often focus too much on the “super,” when we should really care more about the “hero.” This film gets that right. It’s not just fantastic—it’s meaningful, heartfelt, and beautiful.
Conclusion
Fantastic Four: First Step might not be flawless, but it nails the heart of what makes these characters special. With a few rough edges, sure—but it’s a huge leap forward for Marvel’s First Family.
9 out of 10.
