I feel like the “best since Endgame” marketing ploys have been overused by Disney’s team, such a vague comparison since Endgame was such an anomaly in film making history. Thunderbolts* doesn’t compare in cinematic experience in terms of eye widening theatre-gasms, but the story telling and themes portrayed through figurative and literal elements in the film are amazing!
We are now passed the creative effects of covid, the filming took place after the strikes, we’re passed the Disney push for content, so it really feels like we are in the era of no excuses now for the quality of content from Marvel & Disney. So honestly if this is what it’s going to be like moving forward then I”m pleased to say that I need all of the it.
The heart of this film is trauma and how it affects us on a day to day basis and how it affects everyone differently. As someone that deals with trauma daily, so many of these physical manifestations of our psyche is eerily accurately depicted here. Despite the negative theme, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The negativity is matched with equally light hearted one liners and they are better timed then other incarnations of the films in the MCU.
The cast is phenomenal, the returning cast is led by Florence Pugh and she is arguably the face of the MCU at this point. She’s successfully hopping from movie to tv show, Yelena is a great fit everywhere. She’s on the level of Tony Stark where she can be plopped anywhere and she just fits. You can see her stand with the heavy extraterrestrial hitters while at the same time have a conversation with Hawkeye and she wouldn’t feel out of place. Knowing that she’s here in the next Avengers movie is honestly a comforting feeling. I know a lot of people will have different favorite characters, but my favorite is easily David Harbour’s Red Guardian, as a Dad that makes relentless unfunny Dad jokes, I am definitely choosing big red as my spirit animal. Everyone returning was awesome, but Lewis Pullman introducing his Bob is something that should be studied. I was upset that Steven Yeun wasn’t able to keep this role, but Pullman brings a nasty dichotomy between Bob & the Void.
Story wise, it handles the themes well but is nothing outstanding. It’s a superhero team story of people trying to work together to make square objects fit into circular holes, there is no maguffin, but the story does ride the line of painfully on the surface. The jokes and great pacing do a good job at masking some of these scriptural issues, but nothing too much that affects the finished product.
Thunderbolts* is a pleasure on the eyes and a true popcorn movie worthy of accolades. Simultaneously brings a grounded story with seemingly high stakes but makes the whole journey an enjoyable and reflective ride.
*The New Avengers
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2
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