The defence The Adrenaline Seeker
“Momentum is a formal choice.”
The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.
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The Fantastic 4: First Steps
Science Fiction · Adventure · Action · 2025
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
Movie details
The Fantastic 4: First Steps
“Welcome to the family.”
2025 Science Fiction · Adventure · Action 1h 55m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.0 / 10
Community rating
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Fantastic 4: First Steps?
For the defence
The Adrenaline Seeker
“If it slows down, you check your phone.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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X-Men: Days of Future Past
Action · 2014
The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Action · 2015
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Sci-fi · 2023
Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Matt Shakman
Written by
Eric Pearson · Jeff Kaplan · Ian Springer · Kat Wood
Pedro Pascal
Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
Joseph Quinn
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ralph Ineson
Galactus
Julia Garner
Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer
Paul Walter Hauser
Harvey Elder / Mole Man
Court is in session
Put The Fantastic 4: First Steps on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Auteur Devotee
“Speed as an alibi.”
The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.