Thunderbolts* Review: A Disastrous Team, But A Surprisingly Solid Marvel Movie

Thunderbolts” marks a significant shift in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by focusing on a team of anti-heroes – Steve Rogers’ friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker from “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and Yelena Belova from “Black Widow”, among others. Unlike previous films, this one does not feature any traditional heroes to counterbalance these characters. What sets it apart even more is its powerful emphasis on mental health issues, which is a central theme. Although there have been instances of this topic in earlier MCU movies, this film makes it a primary focus. Additionally, it delves into political intrigue surrounding Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and includes the usual high-stakes action sequences typical of an action or superhero movie.

In this scene, Yelena shares her feelings of discontent with a bound captive at her feet, who appears uninterested in her conversation. This segment includes an engaging fight sequence down a corridor, reminiscent of Natasha Romanoff’s (Scarlett Johansson) fight in “Iron Man 2”. However, Yelena fights less passionately than Natasha did. Later, Yelena seeks out her adoptive father, Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), who is as aimless as she is, but maintains a more upbeat demeanor about it.

Simultaneously, Bucky serves as a freshman congressman with an intent to impeach Valentina, yet he’s struggling due to the sluggish nature of the political landscape. However, events unfold in unexpected ways when Yelena, John Walker (who is known as Black Widow’s Taskmaster), portrayed by Olga Kurylenko, and Hannah John-Kamen’s character from “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” Ghost, are placed together in a facility with orders to eliminate each other. However, they manage to collaborate and break free instead. At this juncture, Bucky steps in to persuade them to provide testimonies against Valentina. Unfortunately for him, Valentina has already identified her major opportunity: a man named Bob (Lewis Pullman) – and she’s not hesitant to leverage him.

Speaking further would only spoil the many delightful mysteries this movie holds. It’s enough to say that the trailers don’t fully capture the brilliance of “Thunderbolts*”. The title itself isn’t properly conveyed in these previews, and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised when you discover where the name truly originates from, even though a hint is given by the asterisk at the end.

We’ve seen the team before, just differently

Every individual on this team has previously appeared in at least one Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Sebastian Stan has had the most extensive tenure within the MCU, portraying Bucky Barnes since 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Despite not being the main focus of the movies, he remains the longest-serving member. Instead, the leading role is held by Florence Pugh as Yelena, who delivers particularly captivating scenes with both Bob and Red Guardian. Overall, she excels in her performance, striking a perfect balance between being relatable and tough-as-nails.

In contrast, it appears that Hannah John-Kamen plays the junior partner, or Ghost, in this story. Ghost possesses the ability to pass through walls, yet her character lacks significant impact. This could be intentional, as she also failed to make a strong impression in “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” However, it’s somewhat surprising that she’s involved at all given that everyone else seems more fully fleshed out – even Lewis Pullman as Bob, who is making his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut here.

In the film, although some scenes could have been extended for more detail, it’s remarkable that each main character has at least one memorable moment. This speaks volumes about the captivating performances and the skillful direction that allows each actor to shine, only to gracefully step aside and give another a chance to do the same.

There’s a powerful message in Thunderbolts*

What really captivates me about the movie is its underlying theme. I found it thoughtful and commendable that the filmmakers chose to center “Thunderbolts” around mental health issues. While the message isn’t entirely new, as many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films have explored the struggles of being a superhero or antihero, this is the first time I can recall such a theme being so seamlessly integrated with the rest of the film’s elements.

Perhaps antiheroes provide an effective platform for exploring themes like mental health. Since they don’t enjoy the same positive public image as heroes, they offer a more direct way to tackle these issues. However, it’s really character Bob who underscores this message. Although his powers might appear terrifying to others, they could be the most frightening to him as he descends into a symbolic abyss of his own creation. This struggle is central to the movie, and the climax presents a fight for Bob’s spiritual well-being.

In other parts of the film, the workmanship is top-notch as well, with Val taking center stage frequently. Despite being an abhorrent character who views humanity largely unfavorably, you can’t help but appreciate her, thanks to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ exceptional performance. This underscores why she has had a long and successful career in Hollywood, adding yet another accolade to her impressive resume.

The Thunderbolts* represent a fresh approach to the team dynamic within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Remarkably, it surpasses many productions from Phases 4 and 5, leaving viewers eager for Phase 6. However, to fully grasp the reason for this anticipation, one must endure the end credits. I might be biased, but with these characters involved, I’m genuinely thrilled for “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Don’t miss out on this film; it won’t disappoint.

“Thunderbolts*” opens in theaters on May 2.

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2025-04-29 20:00