Why Are Fans Overlooking Thunderbolts’ Familiar MCU Flaws?

As the new Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, is set to release, it’s touted as a comeback for Marvel Studios, with favorable critical feedback and audience excitement. The film brings together a band of outcasts to form a team and protect New York City using the bond of friendship. While Thunderbolts* is undeniably an enjoyable cinematic experience, it appears that critics and viewers are overlooking certain aspects that have faced criticism in more recent MCU productions. The overall fan opinion will become clearer following its opening weekend (and box office earnings), but time will tell if this trend continues in the coming years.

The widespread praise for the movie indicates a change in perspectives towards the interwoven storyline spanning 54 films and series since “Iron Man” was released in 2008, collectively known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In essence, the MCU has experienced an unprecedented combination of critical and financial triumph. However, with “Eternals,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” and “The Marvels” underperforming and not recouping their production costs, the MCU can be seen as a casualty of its own success in terms of fan sentiment. This is because unlike other long-running cinematic epics such as “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” or various DC Comics adaptations, the MCU didn’t seem to fade away following the climactic conclusion of “Avengers: Endgame.” Nevertheless, even with concerns, fans express cautious optimism towards “Thunderbolts” despite it incorporating elements that have been criticized in recent Marvel productions.

Critics of the MCU Have Complained About the ‘Jokey’ Style of Storytelling

Despite multiple writers and directors contributing to its films, Marvel Studios maintains a consistent “in-house aesthetic.” One aspect that often attracts criticism is the humor. Interestingly, Thunderbolts embraces this familiar tone as much as films like Thor: Love and Thunder or Quantumania, which are more frequently criticized for their comedic elements.

*Thunderbolts is a fictional supervillain team in Marvel Comics, not yet confirmed as a film title.

In Thunderbolts, all three elements are present: comedic moments mixed with profound character stories, such as Jane Foster’s battle with cancer and Scott Lang’s encounter with Kang the Conqueror in the Quantum Realm. What makes this story more appealing to both critics and viewers?

In Thunderbolts, there are comedic elements combined with intense character journeys, like Jane Foster’s cancer fight and Scott Lang’s battle against Kang the Conqueror in the Quantum Realm. What makes this tale more engaging for critics and spectators?

An essential aspect that should not be ignored is the marketing plan, emphasizing the movie’s association with the art-house production company. The film boasts an impressive cast, capable of seamlessly transitioning between comedic scenes and heavier material. David Harbour’s portrayal of Red Guardian is somewhat absurd, yet he exhibits sincerity. Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova are also complex characters, displaying a dry wit sense of humor amidst their melancholic personas. In contrast to his role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Wyatt Russell’s John Walker is depicted as funnier and more endearing this time around.

In many instances, fans may praise a film like Thunderbolts*, yet they often lack specific reasons for its success. It appears that this movie excels by employing humor as a means to counterbalance the emotional turmoil and melancholy of its characters. If not for these comedic elements, the movie could have been overly serious or too weighty. Furthermore, the humor serves to underscore the development of camaraderie among the characters, demonstrating that despite their contrasting personalities, they come to respect and value each other. Ultimately, when this group unites to rescue people from the Void, the unity feels genuine. Is it possible that previous MCU films failed to achieve the same level of emotional resonance, or are audiences simply being lenient towards Thunderbolts*?

MCU Critics Have Complained About the Need to Do ‘Homework’ to Understand New Stories

One critique leveled against this franchise, which used to be its biggest strength, is that due to the vast number of films and series available, some viewers perceive watching a particular show or movie as requiring “preparatory reading” to grasp its narrative.

In Thunderbolts, various characters with diverse pasts are united, some of whom were previously featured in different movies or shows. Characters like Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster and Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost have only been seen once in the past, while Bucky Barnes has appeared in as many as seven films and a TV series.

In the series Thunderbolts, you’ll find characters that originated from other universes. On this show, they’ve transformed their roles significantly. When watching the film, it’s not essential to be fully aware of the backstories of these characters. The movie makes it clear that they are all drifting due to past errors. What viewers grasp is that their former selves aren’t as important as who they evolve into on this new team.

As I delved into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Three, I noticed a remarkable convergence of stories compared to Phases One and Two. It felt like a seamless narrative tapestry woven from the threads of these earlier phases. However, with Phase Four and the introduction of television series, the stories started to branch out in intriguing new directions.

While there are still connections tying everything together, they’re not as evident as before. That’s why it’s essential to catch up on shows like “WandaVision” and “Ms. Marvel.” These series are integral pieces of the puzzle that will help you fully understand the evolving narrative of the Marvel Universe.

Nevertheless, the personal histories of these diverse team members may not be crucial for understanding. Instead, viewers can infer their origins from contextual hints. If anything, Thunderbolts could spark interest in watching or revisiting the original stories, as they delve deeper into the characters but don’t necessitate prior viewing.

When Marvel ‘Tells’ Fans About This Growth Rather Than ‘Shows’ It, They Complain

A frequent issue that arises is the lack of clarity regarding some events or characters, such as the reason Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, or how Bruce Banner combined with the Hulk. These points are often explained casually rather than being thoroughly addressed.

From the perspective of a dedicated moviegoer like myself, it’s fascinating to observe the remarkable transformations undergone by several characters in the film “Thunderbolts”. Take Bucky Barnes for instance, who went from being on the run as a fugitive to becoming a respected Congressman. Or consider Alexi Shostakov, who managed to flee his Russian prison and eventually make the U.S. his new home. These intriguing transitions in their lives are intricately woven into the narrative without explicit explanations.

It’s plausible that there are a couple of explanations for not addressing this complaint in the movie. One possibility is that characters such as US Agent and Yelena were already hinted at having roles as Valentina’s operatives during their previous appearances, which explains their presence here. On the other hand, they might have overlooked or forgotten where characters like Ghost and Taskmaster were left off in their respective stories. Ultimately, viewers tend to accept these characters without questioning the missing details, and the movie effectively fills in any gaps without becoming too bogged down with unnecessary explanations.

The MCU prequel film has held up favorably among fans over time, largely due to the character developments in Thunderbolts. This positive reception might prompt Marvel Studios to produce additional prequels, perhaps focusing on Special Presentations for Taskmaster or even a miniseries featuring John Walker and Ava Starr. The film could pique fan interest in characters that were once overlooked or disregarded.

The Post-Credits Scene Aside, the Movie Doesn’t Define the Larger Story

In the second extra scene of the movie “Thunderbolts“, it’s not actually part of that film’s storyline, but instead, it follows a pattern we’ve seen in other Marvel Studios productions. For example, this technique was used in “Captain America: The First Avenger” and its sequel “The Avengers“, as well as in the films “Ant-Man” and “Captain America: Civil War“.

The ending of Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to tarnish the movie by suggesting that Marvel’s original superhero team crosses over into the main universe timeline through a dimensional rift. To some viewers, this might seem like an unnecessary plot point, as it artificially links films that were previously unconnected.

As a die-hard cinema aficionado, I must say that my latest observation revolves around the controversial ending scene in “The Marvels,” which featured Monica Rambeau in a universe inhabited by the X-Men. Given the recent cast unveiling hinting at several characters from the Fox-era X-Men, this crossover appears to be increasingly likely.

It’s been quite some time since “Endgame” graced our screens, and the anticipation among MCU fans for another grand ensemble film has certainly grown. When “The Marvels” was first revealed or when the Multiverse storyline was announced, many of us were hesitant about its potential to match the epic scale of the Infinity Saga as an all-encompassing narrative. However, with the intriguing developments unfolding, it seems that skepticism may be gradually dissipating.

The marketing for the Thunderbolts movie was cleverly crafted to make the events depicted in the film, including the post-credit scene, seem less unexpected. This is achieved by aligning the tone and themes of the Thunderbolts with those presented in previous Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. The use of media reports during the credits showing a negative public reaction to these New Avengers reinforces this integration, making the inclusion of the scene from another film feel more like a concluding element rather than just a setup for future stories.

Both Bob/Sentry and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine Are Basically One-Note Baddies

In the film “Thunderbolts”, the narrative presents an engaging tale for its protagonists; however, the antagonists in the movie grapple with a recurring issue within the MCU. Although the character’s background is described as being complex and reminiscent of a darker version of Nick Fury, this aspect doesn’t seem to be fully conveyed or emphasized within the story itself. Previously, she had been portrayed as a villainous figure; however, in this movie, her intricate personality seems underdeveloped or not adequately explored.

The story becomes a bit more complex towards the end, emphasizing primarily on the protagonist’s psychological condition. Regrettably, it leans into a rather clichéd portrayal of mental health struggles.

The details about who he was prior to Oxcorp’s experiments are suggested through dialogue but not visually demonstrated. Also, the connection between the Void persona and Sentry persona appears to warrant further exploration. This aspect often goes unnoticed by critics and fans due to Pullman’s skilled portrayal of Bob that evokes sympathy.

MCU Critics Complain About the Focus on ‘Obscure’ Heroes

This film, Thunderbolts*, primarily focuses on Marvel characters that most viewers might not recognize, except perhaps avid comic book readers. Among the cast, the character with the highest profile from the MCU is relatively unknown to a wider audience, but has gained recognition due to his appearances since the early phases.

I was among those who voiced concerns when Marvel Studios decided to spotlight lesser-known heroes like the Eternals instead of more established characters. However, it’s quite astonishing to see how warmly fans have embraced this tale revolving around these relatively unknown characters.

The reason for the film’s success lies in its deep exploration of these seemingly underdog and past-their-prime characters, which resonated with audiences. Additionally, these characters had previously appeared in other narratives focused on prominent figures before being temporarily abandoned.

Thunderbolts* provides a satisfying reunion with characters who have been under-explored, contrasting with other Marvel stories that put less prominent heroes at the forefront. These fresh narratives not only enrich their backstories but also spark audience curiosity, leaving us eager for more developments from these characters.

Marvel Fans Criticized Past Films’ and Shows’ Similar Connective Elements as ‘Forced’

One reason some viewers might feel that way is because the movie seemed more like a sequel to The Incredible Hulk than any previous Captain America film or The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Fans have often criticized the tenuous connections to larger Marvel Cinematic Universe events, characters, or settings in other projects. However, in Thunderbolts*, elements ranging from the post-credits scene to the characters are all drawn from various MCU narratives.

*Assuming ‘Thunderbolts’ is the intended title for the film or project being discussed.

It’s plausible that the movie is a blend of existing MCU narratives, and since none of the characters, including Bucky, have standalone stories demanding exclusive attention, the focus isn’t solely on any one character. The Thunderbolts doesn‘t heavily rely on connections. Instead, the Ghost is casually mentioned as someone who was rejected by S.H.I.E.L.D., rather than dwelling on her disputes with Team Ant-Man.

A similar point applies to all characters, such as US Agent’s earlier errors against Flag Smashers and Yelena and Alexi’s connections to Black Widow within Thunderbolts. These aspects, once criticized, are now handled with more finesse in the series, implying that perhaps MCU fans may have been too harsh in their appraisals of its earlier incarnations.

Thunderbolts* is currently playing exclusively in theaters.

2025-05-07 07:01