I stay neutral in the Marvel vs. DC debate; it’s always seemed senseless to me. Both companies have produced remarkable works across various media, from comics and television to films, showcasing incredible storytelling alongside some less memorable projects. The vast range of content from each makes broad comparisons irrelevant. A die-hard Marvel fan could easily find something enjoyable from DC, just as DC enthusiasts can discover marvels in the Marvel universe.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Directed By: Matt Shakman
Written By: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson
Rating: PG-13 for action/violence and some language
Runtime: 115 minutes
While overarching evaluations of Marvel and DC might be irrelevant, specific comparisons can still be engaged. In July 2025, both Marvel Studios and DC Studios will unveil features that merit fascinating analysis. Director Matt Shakman’s Fantastic Four: First Steps and James Gunn’s Superman stand at distinct junctures in their franchises: the former is the 37th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while the latter marks the debut blockbuster in the new DC Universe. Both films opt to bypass traditional origin tales, immersing viewers in the characters’ already established lives as heroes.
This approach is rational for both, yet it leads to starkly different outcomes. In Superman, the main characters’ personalities, goals, and motivations are vividly clear, and the narrative hinges on their actions and resulting consequences. Conversely, in Fantastic Four: First Steps, events transpire without genuine depth or organic evolution. While the world has a specific aesthetic and the heroes are recognizable, there’s an absence of meaningful character growth. The plot feels overly structured, with challenges arising primarily from external threats rather than internal struggles. Engaging arcs are lacking, rendering the experience rather dull—something I never anticipated from an MCU feature featuring the Fantastic Four.
With a screenplay crafted by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, Fantastic Four: First Steps kicks off with Marvel’s first family receiving thrilling news: they are adding a new member. Years after a space mission and a cosmic storm that granted them superpowers, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) learn they are expecting a baby—a revelation celebrated by Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). One of the film’s various montages captures the upcoming months, filled with baby preparations and scientific experiments, before a space visitor shakes things up just before Sue’s due date.
Shalla-Bal, also known as Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), lands in Times Square to deliver devastating news: Earth is targeted by the world-devouring entity known as Galactus (Ralph Ineson), threatening their lives. To avert disaster, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben embark on their first journey into space since their transformative accident, seeking negotiation with the celestial force. They are faced with a heart-wrenching choice: to save humanity, they must contemplate sacrificing their unborn child.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is so focused on its plot that it forgets about its characters.
While the narrative’s plot points derive from the comics, their integration into the film feels forced and superficial. Reed and Sue’s pregnancy doesn’t serve to illustrate how it will alter their lives; instead, it serves merely as a plot device to set up a sacrifice to save the world (notably, there’s no discussion about Sue, nine months into her pregnancy, embarking on a dangerous mission because the narrative needs Galactus to sense the unborn child).
The stringent structure undermines the stakes, as the plot’s laser focus results in the absence of unique character arcs that reveal the protagonists’ true selves. Though Reed’s character undergoes a personal test as a new father, primarily reflecting his need to intellectualize and his rising anxiety, Sue is left with the limited role of an “emotionally driven mother.”
Johnny emerges as the group’s most charismatic member, portrayed as a committed bachelor. However, his personality is only scratched at through a PG-rated crush on Silver Surfer, which feels like the sole reason Shalla-Bal is featured rather than the original Silver Surfer, Norin Radd. His character is sidelined to the dull role of translating Shalla-Bal’s language, which certainly doesn’t convey the excitement expected from the Human Torch.
Meanwhile, Ben receives minimal attention, essentially relegated to a passive role. The complex character of The Thing—who grapples with his monstrous appearance—lacks any real depth here. His scenes are limited to mundane interactions in his old neighborhood, showing off his strength and flirting with a teacher (Natasha Lyonne) who seems unfazed by his rocky form.
Despite the cast’s strong performances, which capture the spirit of the characters and exhibit a genuine family chemistry, they deserve more substantive material that emphasizes their individual and collective strengths rather than the flat apocalyptic plot dominating this blockbuster.
Underwhelming CGI sequences aside, the look of Fantastic Four: First Steps is what makes it special.
A significant amount of creative thought has gone into the look and feel of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which stands out. While the action sequences lack true excitement, as the characters’ abilities aren’t fully utilized, the retrofuturism is a compelling aspect of the film. With soft curves and vibrant blue hues, director Matt Shakman crafts a cozy yet polished environment, a testament to the skilled collaboration across cinematography, editing, costuming, and production design. Complementing this aesthetic is the striking score by Michael Giacchino, driven by sweeping strings and a grand chorus.
However, the nostalgic vibes are marred by sequences of uninspired visual effects, with battles involving Galactus resembling video game cutscenes. Nevertheless, the film’s overall look remains its strongest attribute. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the captivating world will be fully explored, as the characters are destined to be thrown into the multiverse dynamic of the broader MCU.
To express disappointment would be an understatement. The Fantastic Four is a cherished superhero team with a troubled cinematic past. When the rights returned to Marvel Studios following the Disney/Fox merger in 2019, fans anticipated that the characters would finally receive the care they deserved, culminating in an exceptional film. Unfortunately, Marvel’s elite blockbuster reputation has shifted significantly in the last six years, as reflected in this upcoming release. Fantastic Four: First Steps possesses a dynamic look that distinguishes it, but its lack of depth ultimately prevents it from being truly satisfying.
