Fantastic Four, A Stylish Return

I was definitely looking forward to Fantastic Four more than Superman. That’s saying a lot, considering the Man of Steel usually commands attention with just a flick of his cape. But then again, X-Men and Fantastic Four were the two franchises that ushered me into the world of superheroes. So in a way, this film felt like a homecoming. Between the multiverse buzz and the promise of Marvel’s First Family finally getting the treatment they deserve, my expectations were quietly soaring.

Did it meet them? Not quite.

Did I still enjoy it? Absolutely!

Let’s start with this. Fantastic Four (2025) didn’t carry much tension. It felt less like a high-stakes thriller and more like a slow, stylish stroll through Earth-828. The story simply unfolded. No nail-biting suspense. No sweaty palms. Just a clean presentation of what was happening and what was inevitably going to happen. And maybe that was part of the problem.

There was never any real sense of danger because, deep down, we already knew the outcome. Since the multiverse is now Marvel’s favorite playground, we’re conditioned to believe that even if this version of Earth is destroyed, the main timeline will be just fine. And with that post-credits scene in Thunderbolts showing the Fantastic Four alive and well elsewhere, it’s hard to feel truly invested in the fate of Earth-828. I suspect that is why the film lacked suspense or anxious anticipation.

Still, there’s plenty to like here.
For starters, Earth-828 is a visual treat. A blend of 1950s aesthetics and modern tech, it’s a retro-futuristic marvel (pun intended). Flying cars zip through the sky while families huddle around vintage television sets that look like they were lifted from the early 20th century. It’s a weird but beautiful contradiction, and I loved it. Even the people seem unusually well-behaved. When heading to Subterranea, there was no traffic jams. No chaos. No honking horns during a looming planetary crisis. The people seemed to handle the blackouts very well too. Refreshing? Yes. Realistic? Not even slightly.

Now to the team.

Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), his pregnant wife Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm, the Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm, the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), do a great job embodying their roles. I especially appreciated that Johnny finally got to use his brain. A big win, considering he’s a NASA engineer who is often written like a frat boy with a fire fetish. And baby Franklin was simply adorable!

The team dynamic felt warm and believable. But there were moments that made me wonder. Why are they doing everything alone? Surely Marvel’s First Family could use some backup. Are there no babysitters, assistants, researchers, or interns on this version of Earth? Apparently, global coordination can be handled by just four people. Impressive!

One standout was Silver Surfer, or more specifically, Shalla-Bal, played by Julia Garner. She delivers her warnings with eerie grace, urging the people of Earth to spend their remaining days wisely as Galactus looms in the cosmic distance. Garner’s performance brings both gravity and serenity to the screen, and honestly, she deserves an origin story of her own.

As for Galactus, let’s talk about the giant, planet-eating elephant in the room. The film doesn’t portray him as pure evil, and I kind of respect that. In fact, if you really think about it, really sit with it, Galactus might just need a cosmic gastric bypass. He’s not destroying planets because he’s cruel. He’s just… hungry. Can’t help it. The body wants what it wants. Still, I caught myself quietly rooting for him; and this super villain’s potential was barely explored. Blame it on superhero fatigue.

And that’s the thing. After so many multiverses, origin stories, end-of-world threats, and morally grey aliens, it’s getting harder to be swept away. (A special thanks to Infinity War and Endgame). We’ve seen it all. And while Fantastic Four is stylish, well-acted, and visually polished, it doesn’t break out of the formula enough to feel truly fresh.

That said, I was grateful there was no overly long and laboured retelling of how the Fantastic Four got their powers. We get it. Cosmic rays. The film assumes its audience is smart enough to know all the basics, which was a nice change of pace. The narration given was enough. The pacing overall was solid. No forced comedy.

In the end, Fantastic Four (2025) is a decent reboot with beautiful world-building, a strong cast, and some clever storytelling choices. I am surely looking forward to how baby Reed will reset the Multiverse and that’s very exciting!

Would I watch it again? Of course! When it lands on Disney+
Would I recommend it? Yes!

Final Verdict: 7.5 out of 10 no fireworks, but a stylish slow burn.