‘Thunderbolts*’ Review: That Mysterious Asterisk Masks the Real Reason to Watch These Six Marvel Rejects

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For enthusiasts of Marvel, “Thunderbolts” might hold a special place as the movie that revitalized the struggling Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – although this is more of a hopeful assumption from fans who’ve been loyal enough to follow each sequel, spinoff, and TV series that Marvel churns out. Similar to the successful comic book studio, they continue to aspire to recapture the excitement of the Avengers films. However, those precious viewing moments are irretrievable now, and so is the sense that staying updated with Marvel was a crucial part of broader cultural discussions.

Most of these movies aren’t worth watching for the average person, with only a select few, like the satirical “Deadpool & Wolverine,” standing out due to its mockery of the seriousness often associated with such films. The action-packed “Thunderbolts” is one that falls short, as it assumes viewers are familiar with lesser-known characters from the same universe that was once saved and then quickly forgotten by Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Black Widow. Director Jake Schreier (“Robot & Frank”) attempts to inject humor into the story, positioning “Thunderbolts” as a comedy about unlikely allies, while also using it as a vehicle for an emotional narrative about overcoming personal struggles and mental health issues as a team.

Despite sounding lighthearted, Schreier’s rough-around-the-edges production isn’t a one-off performance. Given its nearly $200 million budget, it’s not as shabby as it seems. Although the cast may consist of characters you might struggle to recall or identify, you’ll soon find yourself expected to recognize them and remember key events from “Thunderbolts.” From the asterisk in the title onwards, there are numerous details that could be tested, even for those who watch it after its opening weekend.

Currently, the noise you’re hearing isn’t just hype generated by Disney’s marketing team on social media for the upcoming “Fantastic Four” movie, but rather it seems like they are using lesser-known characters, often referred to as D-list, before reviving their most successful and popular heroes. The group of six characters in this story – a motley crew of hotheads and random individuals – can’t seem to decide on a name for themselves, but they are well aware that they occupy a less favorable position within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They consider themselves as the underdogs or losers of the MCU.

In a challenging scenario, these rogue operatives find themselves caught in a mission designed by government confidante Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), which aims to have them eliminate each other. Engaged in a secret battle within a remote facility, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) soon discover they’re not fighting alone. They encounter an amnesiac dressed in scrubs who introduces himself as Bob Reynolds (Lewis Pullman). However, it becomes apparent that he is a product of some clandestine experiment or operation.

For long-time Marvel fans, these scenarios and personalities will likely seem familiar, despite being puzzling for those who aren’t experts in Marvel lore or perhaps lost track of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) around the time Phase Three concluded in 2019 – marking the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” which saw many heroes meet their end and others venturing into the multiverse, with diminishing returns.

Yelena’s identity isn’t explicitly defined by the term ‘Thunderbolts’, as she shares similarities with her late sister, Black Widow, such as possessing no superpowers but rather extraordinary skills in acrobatics, assassinations, and makeup artistry. At one point, a bearded man named Red Guardian (David Harbour), who served as a father figure to her, operated a limousine service and seemed to dwell melancholically in what appears to be a Soviet-inspired Captain America suit replica. It seems that Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel, may have significant plans for Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), the recurring character who often appears in these films despite having minimal involvement.

The majority of “Thunderbolts” appears to be reworked scenes and dialogue additions aimed at revitalizing this struggling franchise for mainstream cinema audiences. At its heart, the movie features a villain who remains unnamed in this discussion – marketing has labeled him as “the Void” – whose dark powers, allegedly stronger than all Avengers combined, are hinted at right from the start (as a shadow passes over the Marvel Studios logo, causing the flickering letters to become an ominous matte black).

People who are accustomed to reading these storylines in their original pulp format might find the movie’s unique portrayal of a character who can swing between being an ally or causing damage, intriguing. This new character is introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), while all the others are mere underlings following orders from Valentina, a character played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She’s portrayed as a bureaucrat with a striking white hairdo, a calculating expression, and a hint of casualness in her voice that suggests not to take things too seriously.

Throughout the movie, her assistant Mel, known for her comedic roles like in “Blockers”, is always by her side (Mel is played by Geraldine Viswanathan). At first, it appears that this group of unconventional protagonists must simply survive each other. However, as Mel confides to her boss: “Could it be they’ve united against you?” Later in the story, when the more famous ‘supers’ are absent, Yelena and her squabbling team of troubled individuals will have to confront their personal demons and rescue their new acquaintance Bob from Valentina’s schemes.

The movie’s specificity is nearly maxed out, leaving little more to reveal. During the premiere, Marvel enthusiasts appeared to enjoy the initial two-thirds of the film, which carried a humorous tone reminiscent of Joss Whedon, brimming with witty remarks about Uber, DoorDash, and Dr. Phil. For my part, “Thunderbolts” seemed slow until the appearance of The Void, at which point it transformed into something else – a low-budget supernatural thriller in the vein of “Flatliners” or “The Craft”. In this genre, a tormented character could easily succumb to his own inner turmoil and evil spirits, were it not for the help of his fellow troubled companions. Regrettably, the ending was contrived for cheap laughs (as disappointing as “Avengers: Infinity War’s” finale), serving only to prolong this tiresome franchise until the Avengers return in 2027.

In the style of Guardians of the Galaxy movies, what makes this film effective is the strained camaraderie among a group bound together by necessity, not by any organic bond. The Marvel planners wisely centered the story around Yelena, not because she’s exceptionally captivating, but due to the actress portraying her. In Pugh’s capable hands, Yelena experiences a more relatable identity struggle than most Marvel heroes. Unlike their high-profile peers who grapple with the burden of what Spider-Man called “great power and great responsibility,” the Thunderbolts mirror many young adults today: they feel overburdened and undervalued, unsure of their abilities, yet are still compelled to rise to the occasion.

This team’s name is a joke, borrowed from a youth soccer team that never won a match. Their title doesn’t come up until the very end, swiftly replaced by another name for this group. Regardless, standing together is just as crucial as victory in their current task. With the Avengers absent, they are left to fill the void.

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2025-04-29 19:24