We went into Fantastic Four: First Steps expecting solid superhero fun. What we got? So much more. As a family, we all walked out grinning, impressed, and more than a little emotionally invested.

So yes, I guess I’m writing movie reviews now. (No spoilers ahead, I promise!)

Let’s get this out of the way: there were a few slightly uncanny valley CGI baby moments. You’ll spot them. They’re weird. But they don’t derail anything. From start to finish, this film moves with confidence, delivers real heart, and captures that classic superhero storytelling feeling that so many reboots miss.

Let’s talk characters.
Everyone in this film felt real. Not just a team of tropes or a group of personalities shoved together to hit quota… but a family. Ben’s emotional arc? Subtle but incredibly satisfying. Johnny, usually stuck as comic relief or teen heartthrob wallpaper, was finally allowed to be a full character with depth and purpose.

And Sue. Sue Storm was everything. This version gave her space to show her intelligence and her compassion in equal measure. She wasn’t sidelined. She led in her own right. It felt honest, earned, and powerful.

Now let’s talk about Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards. He brought a wonderful awkwardness to the role, but with such emotional depth. There was a gentleness to his performance that felt deeply human, even when he was stretching in impossible ways. You could truly feel the chemistry between Reed and Sue, which made the entire dynamic feel grounded and believable.

The worldbuilding and effects?
Incredible. The sets were lush, layered, and alive with detail. The effects hit where they needed to, and the movie resisted the urge to go full spectacle over substance. Every major visual beat felt earned, and more importantly it felt real within the world.

The movie also dishes out enough easter eggs to make even the most die hard Marvel fan pause, wish they could rewind, and theorize. (Screen Crush clocked 161… yes, really!) And let’s talk about that Stark Tech nod. We caught it, we squealed. Also? Move over, Howard Stark… Reed built the flying car you only talked about. Step aside, old man, the nerd king has entered the chat.

The vibes.
There were scenes where the whole theater went quiet… holding our breath… and moments later, the room burst into laughter or applause. That’s not just good editing, that’s emotional rhythm done right.

It’s not perfect (again, looking at you, CGI baby), but it’s the kind of film that reminds you why superhero stories matter. Why we keep coming back to them. Why they work when they’re done well.

If you’ve been burned by previous Fantastic Four outings, give this one a shot. It’s got humor, heart, tension, and just enough weirdness to keep things fun. Highly recommend it.

Verdict: A total win.

I’m probably going to go see it again… and again… and probably one more time for good measure. I haven’t been this captivated since Avatar.