'Fantastic Four' X reviews out: Iconic superhero reboot film opens to mixed reactions

Marvel Studios’ latest cinematic venture, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, premiered in theatres on Friday, marking a new beginning for one of its most iconic superhero teams. Anticipation had built steadily for months, with fans eager to see how the franchise would be reimagined within the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU). As audiences finally experienced the film, reactions began flooding social media, with impressions ranging from enthusiastic praise to pointed criticism.

A Divided Audience: Visual Grandeur and Emotional Core Praised

A portion of the viewership has emerged impressed by the film’s presentation, storytelling approach, and performances. Many fans highlighted the rich, stylistically distinct visuals and the emotional intimacy woven into the narrative. Viewers particularly noted the effectiveness of the onscreen relationships, calling attention to the strong ensemble cast and their portrayal of a tight-knit, believable superhero family.

Just watched Fantastic Four: 10/10

While Superman had all the media hype, F4 delivered the better movie! The best looking MCU film. The cast was awesome! The 60s future vibe hits! Finally some characters we get attached w. I can definitely see them as the new faces of the MCU. pic.twitter.com/8F4aekB1Tq

— LeBron’s IQ (@emanuelgodina) July 23, 2025

Among the major highlights mentioned were the visual effects, which leaned heavily into a retro-futuristic aesthetic inspired by 1960s sci-fi. Fans appreciated the deliberate shift away from overcomplicated storylines, instead embracing a clearer, emotionally driven plotline. The chemistry between the leads—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn—was a particular favorite, with many pointing out how the family dynamics grounded the cosmic elements of the film.

#FantasticFour is downright fantastic. Lovely family dynamic where each member shines. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is the grounding force. Incredible visuals & VFX. Glorious Giacchino score. Refreshing straightforward screenplay. Vast sense of scale. The retro futurism is exquisite pic.twitter.com/v0VGtweefq

— J ♱ (@theprimetimeman) July 24, 2025

#fantasticfour is a visually stunning intense movie elevated with a beautiful score, terrifying villain & some great performances💙

Unfortunately, Suffers from awkward chemistry, overused tropes, wasted supporting cast and a weak generic ending.

3/5 ☕️ pic.twitter.com/iM9Ih3W4Su

— Devski (@DevskiTweets) July 24, 2025

Additionally, the film’s score by Michael Giacchino was applauded for its sweeping scope and cinematic flair, although not all viewers were equally moved by the music. Set design evoked comparisons to classic animated shows like The Jetsons, with a playful and ambitious execution of future-meets-past world-building. Viewers also appreciated that the protagonists often relied on intellect and innovation, rather than brute strength, to overcome their challenges—a fresh take within a universe known for its action-heavy sequences.

Concerns Over Pacing, Casting, and Familiar Pitfalls

Despite these strengths, the film has not escaped criticism. A significant number of fans and critics expressed disappointment in areas they felt fell short of expectations. One of the most frequent critiques was about pacing—several felt the film dragged in sections or failed to maintain a steady rhythm throughout its runtime.

There’s a lot to like with Fantastic Four, even love at times. The cast is remarkable and you feel that family bond that I needed them to pull off. It gets very cosmic and crazy and surprisingly opts to show our heroes solving problems with their minds more often than their… https://t.co/xm3H0DsTTN pic.twitter.com/CvpAYWaXCs

— Mike Carolla (@SJTimes13) July 25, 2025

#FantasticFour honestly isn't downright terrible, but not overly spectacular either. Clear plot and stakes, doesn't overly convolute things.
The biggest weaknesses are that it fails at characterization, has no chemistry, and everyone feels kinda miscast. pic.twitter.com/ezPyTQPWSn

— Vex Electronica (@VexElectronica) July 25, 2025

Another common concern centered on characterization and casting choices. While some applauded the performers’ efforts, others described the character portrayals as lacking depth or chemistry. A few critics found the performances underwhelming, suggesting that the cast felt misaligned with their iconic roles.

There were also mixed feelings about the film’s visual effects. While space scenes and cosmic vistas drew admiration, certain moments were noted to appear visually inconsistent, with some CGI elements described as underdeveloped or subpar. While Giacchino’s musical compositions resonated with many, others found the score didn’t live up to their expectations and felt it fell flat in key emotional scenes.

Another significant area of concern was the film’s climax and narrative resolution. Several viewers described the conclusion as uninspired or too familiar, following a template seen too often in other MCU films. The villainous threat, though ominous, was perceived by some as insufficiently developed, reducing its impact on the story's tension and emotional stakes.

Production Background and Film Overview

The Fantastic Four: First Steps serves as the 37th entry in the sprawling MCU timeline and represents the second major reboot of the beloved Fantastic Four series. Helmed by director Matt Shakman, the film features a screenplay shaped by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. Marvel Studios produced the film, with distribution handled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

The cast brings together some notable talents—Pedro Pascal assumes the role of Reed Richards, while Vanessa Kirby steps in as Sue Storm. They are joined by Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. Supporting roles include Julia Garner, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson, who portrays the looming cosmic antagonist Galactus.

Set in a world steeped in retro-futurism inspired by the 1960s, the story centers on the Fantastic Four as they confront Galactus, a powerful being with the ability to consume entire planets. The team must combine their intellect and unity to protect their uniquely stylized world from annihilation.