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| source: https://collider.com/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-review/ |
Watched at Lippo Plaza Kebun Raya Bogor – 01:40 PM
I have to admit, when I first saw the trailer and cast announcement for Fantastic Four: First Steps, I didn’t expect much. I grew up with the 2005 version with Chris Evans as Johnny Storm and that version, for all its flaws, had a charm I didn’t think could be topped. Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a complete disappointment, both for me and most critics. It honestly killed any excitement I had for future reboots. So when I heard Pedro Pascal was cast as Mr. Fantastic, I thought, “Really? Again?” He’s been everywhere lately, and I doubted he’d bring anything new. And Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things as Human Torch? I just couldn’t see it. Compared to Evans’ charisma, it felt like a downgrade. All of that left me pretty skeptical.
I watched this film right after a meeting with my thesis advisor. I figured I deserved a little treat, so I went to the cinema, alone (like I usually do). Daytime movie sessions are kind of my thing because it's less crowded, more peaceful, and honestly, I just enjoy it.
I got there early and had to wait about 30 minutes outside the studio before they let people in. At first I was just sitting there, half-bored, music playing quietly in my headphones. Then two girls sat nearby and started talking and not just random talk. They were discussing movies and TV shows I actually love. Marvel stuff, the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the next Avengers movie, even Stranger Things and how the final season’s coming later this year. I was sitting there like, are you serious right now? these are my people. I really wanted to join in, maybe even say hi but yeah, social anxiety said nope. So I just sat there, vibing, eavesdropping while pretending to scroll my phone.
The chemistry between the cast is so natural that it genuinely felt like I was watching a real family. Pedro Pascal surprised me with a calm, grounded performance as Reed Richards, intelligent but never robotic. Joseph Quinn brought a different flavor to Johnny Storm, more layered and human than I expected, but still fun and chaotic in some ways. Vanessa Kirby was powerful and warm as Sue Storm, and Ebon Moss Bachrach’s portrayal of The Thing had just the right balance of strength and vulnerability. It actually took me a moment to realize like wait, isn’t this the same guy who played Micro in Netflix's The Punisher? Turns out I was right. I never paid much attention to him before, but this film made me really appreciate his work. I genuinely ended up loving this team.
One of the best things about this movie is how it captures family dynamics without being cheesy. You can feel the care they have for each other starting from the small jokes, the tensions, the emotional moments. It’s not just about powers but it’s about people trying to stay together in a strange, shifting world. And I really appreciated that.
Visually, it’s a treat. The retro futuristic setting set in an alternate 1960s style Earth, it gave the film a unique look that sets it apart from the usual Marvel formula. It reminded me of the kind of bold world building we got in early Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor: Ragnarok, but with its own identity. The colors, costumes, and design felt fresh yet nostalgic.
Even the villains worked surprisingly well. Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer wasn’t what I expected, but in a good way, she was quiet and mysterious, without trying too hard. And for Galactus, they handled him way better than I imagined. Instead of turning him into some oversized cartoon, they gave him a darker, almost cosmic horror presence that actually felt intimidating. It was the kind of threat that didn’t need to be loud to be terrifying.
I went in with doubts and I left completely won over. The whole theater was buzzing with energy afterward, and I actually found myself smiling the whole way home. This isn’t just a good Marvel movie, it’s a good movie, period. One that balances emotion, humor, heart, and just enough weirdness to stand on its own.
And if this is just the beginning, then yeah
