MCU SAVED?! Thunderbolts Review SHOCKS Fans!

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Following numerous interdimensional chaos, Thunderbolts marks a triumphant return of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to our planet with an unparalleled panache. Featuring a daring cast, brimming with laughter and warmth, this film serves as the ideal cure for the world following Endgame.

It’s clear that since Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled to find its footing, but there have been undeniably successful films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which provided a touching farewell, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, which managed to blend grandeur with emotion effectively.

However, amid these successes, there have been a string of disappointments as well, such as Ant-Man 3, The Marvels, and Secret Invasion, which were both critically panned and failed commercially. Consequently, 2023 has been dubbed the most challenging year in MCU’s history, causing Disney to reconsider its strategy. The fresh direction now is prioritizing quality over quantity.

Thunderbolts represents Marvel’s most significant attempt to replicate the down-to-earth, character-driven narrative style of its initial phase.

What is Thunderbolts about?

In this spoiler-free review, here’s the main idea: Character Val, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, finds herself in a political pickle. To resolve the chaos she’s caused, she enlists an unlikely team comprising John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko).

As a gamer diving headfirst into this epic adventure, it’s no surprise when things don’t go as expected, just like in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To cut a long story short, the unexpected appointment of Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) as a congressman and the hard-luck case, Red Guardian (David Harbour), somehow find their way onto our team.

In New York City, the powerful figure known as The Sentry, or Bob Reynolds, appears and creates chaos. If you’re not familiar, The Sentry (played by Lewis Pullman) is essentially Marvel’s version of Superman – but with significantly less mental balance.

When he descends into a spiral, his alternate persona, nicknamed The Void, steps in, whisking victims into their deepest, darkest recollections. This is where the movie makes its most daring twist, compelling each Thunderbolt to grapple not only with the antagonist but also their own inner struggles and personal demons.

A messy Marvel team that works

As a gamer, I’ve got to say one of the movie’s standout features is its diverse cast – much like the motley crew of Guardians of the Galaxy, these Thunderbolts are far from perfect. They aren’t your typical sleek, bulky superheroes; they’re the imperfect, flawed ones, and that’s what makes them intriguing. Their charm stems from their discord, and how they manage to forge bonds amidst the pandemonium.

Even though not everyone has an equal amount of spotlight, the main characters all get their chance to stand out. This is particularly evident in the case of Florence Pugh, who once again excels with a powerful, humorous, and emotionally raw portrayal.

In the movie, she serves as the emotional foundation, either contemplating life satisfaction with Red Guardian (he keeps asserting that he’s “very full… very filled”) or helping Bob navigate his psychological depths. She demonstrates a versatile acting ability capable of sustaining this role.

The main character from Harbour, known as Red Guardian, is currently managing a faltering limousine service and spending his time rewatching old episodes of his adventures. He’s the humorous standout, bringing laughter amidst the stress, but he also offers complexity as a once-great hero grappling with irrelevance and yearning for significance.

In contrast, Stan finds himself feeling remarkably at ease now, embodying Bucky better than ever. With age comes wisdom, and for the first time, he’s able to express more than just the brooding Winter Soldier. His charm is evident, even in his most reserved instances.

Sentry/Void is the MCU’s best hero/villain

Let’s discuss the character named Bob, also known by The Sentry and The Void. In this comic book series where both villains and heroes are equally prominent, Bob is an intriguing addition to the roster. He falls into multiple categories as a powerful antagonist, troubled individual, and one of Marvel’s mightiest superheroes ever.

Effortlessly, Pullman exhibits his vulnerability and enhances the overall performance of the team. It’s important to note that this is merely the start for one of Marvel’s intricate, potent characters – and Thunderbolts lays an impressive groundwork for this development, avoiding transforming the film into a two-hour account of his origin.

In a more simplified phrasing: The character also serves as a medium for the movie to delve into its themes. Topics like loneliness, mental health issues, and PTSD don’t feel forced; instead, they flow organically within Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo’s skillfully crafted script. Our troubled protagonist effectively handles these heavy subjects without slipping into overly dramatic portrayals.

The upcoming film delves not only into the dramatic events of saving the world but also explores the deep emotional struggles and complex connections between characters, drawing from their personal histories. This unique perspective offers a breath of fresh air in a genre sometimes accused of oversimplifying genuine life challenges.

However, it’s important to note that Thunderbolts isn’t lacking in excitement. Destroyed buildings, intense gunfights, and action-packed sequences are all part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s typical style, and this film delivers on that front, thanks in no small part to Jake Schreier’s skillful direction.

A minor stumble

Despite Thunderbolts having many virtues, it isn’t perfect; there’s an early event that seems to have been hurriedly edited, which can appear as an oversight. It’s not that the scene lacks logic, but the absence of subsequent emotional depth gives a discordant feel, an unusual misstep in a film generally devoted to portraying its characters’ suffering deeply.

In some instances, certain storylines seem a bit incomplete, such as Ghost who appears to have limited roles, and the closing scene involving Val could potentially leave audiences yearning for more. However, it’s exactly this aspect that is intended.

Unlike Captain America, who represents a familiar heroic era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thunderbolts signifies the beginning of an exciting, innovative chapter. With upcoming films such as Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, it seems that the future of the franchise is once again filled with promise. It’s interesting to see how some of the darkest characters will play a part in shaping this new era.

Thunderbolts review score: 4/5 – Great

Thunderbolts doesn’t need to create something new, but it doesn’t have to. It’s a movie that centers around characters, offering depth and frequent humor, demonstrating that Marvel can still produce quality work by emphasizing essential elements: emotion, comedy, and heroes who are worth supporting, even when they lean towards villainy rather than heroism.

Beginning May 1 in UK theaters and May 2 in US cinemas, Thunderbolts will be screening. In the meantime, explore every upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film and series, our list of ranked MCU movies, and all the latest information about Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

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2025-04-29 19:23