Thunderbolts*

Once again let me start with my standard comic book disclaimer. I went into this film with no previous knowledge of the characters or story beyond previous films or television shows.  For that I defer to my man Ruben’s knowledge and insights (if he so chooses to comment). So, yes, my review is based solely on what appeared on the movie screen.

Onward.

My expectations going into Thunderbolts* was pretty basic. I wanted a solid film with decent writing that didn’t make me regret leaving the house to go see. Bonus points for having Sebastian Stan once again inhabit the character of Bucky Barnes.  Fairly low expectations to be sure, but let’s face it, Marvel Studios has been hit or miss for a minute.  What Thunderbolts* delivered, however, was all that and happily quite a bit more.

Thunderbolts* quite aptly for mental health awareness month brings the trauma, healing, and redemption in this emotionally heavy and dark team up. Stan’s Bucky is the chef’s kiss I wanted and came as no surprise. 

But for me, it was the rest of the cast, especially Florence Pugh as Yelena who gloriously shines.  I haven’t really given much of a crap for Yelena going back to Black Widow. Personally, I’ve been harboring some real resentment of the way her character has been shoved down our throats with Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel departure. But Thunderbolts* has changed that for me and I’m now excited about this character and thrilled with Pugh’s performance. 

Adding to my excitement this go around is David Harbour’s Alexei (his turn in Black Widow did little for me as well), and Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost (Ant-Man and the Wasp make her nothing more than a plot device). Both actors/characters are actually utilized to great advantage this go around and their fleshed-out characters shine and add depth and texture to the story.  As for Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, simply seeing him get his ass handed to him time and again just gives me a perverse sense of joy. 

Julie Louis-Dreyfus continues to shine as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and the glimpse of her past is a nice nugget to help unravel some of her mystery. Lewis Pullman’s Bob is engaging and intriguing in the best ways.

Speaking of joy, for all the heaviness of the film’s subject matter the joy of making it shines through. The script is solid, the actors are engaged, everything and everyone feels committed to the process of making a good film. The action sequences are fun, the character moments/beats are nicely balanced, and the pacing is good.  The humor works well; I especially enjoy the self-deprecation.

 All told Thunderbolts* does fire on all cylinders. It’s definitely a solid, enjoyable, and entertaining film. While it lacks some of the spectacle of many of the earlier phase Marvel films, it certain gives me hope that things are back on track and excites me for future films. 

Thunderbolts* is worth a trip to your local theater to escape the heat, get all up in your feels, and be entertained for 2-hours and 6-minutes. As always, if you do check it out, stay through the credits. There’s one mid credit and one post credit sequence. 

Thunderbolts* gets an 8 from me.

#thunderbolts