Are we back, Marvel?
It seems like that could be the case with the latest film from the comic book adaptation studio, “Thunderbolts.” The film mainly centers on Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who finds herself a bit rudderless. Outside of doing missions for the CIA, Yelena lacks any appreciation for the life she’s living, especially since the death of her sister, Natasha, the Black Widow.
Things only get more complicated when she’s sent on a mission that brings her into conflict with several other secret operatives working under CIA head Valentina de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).Realizing they’ve been set-up by de Fontaine, the group reluctantly join forces to stop a new and potentially dangerous project the CIA leader is working on.
Skepticism was high going into “Thunderbolts.” Post-“Endgame,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe has mostly been below average except for a few bright spots. The ads for the latest feature gave the impression that this was shaping up for a cheap imitation of the recent “Suicide Squad” film from 2021.
While there are a couple of similarities there, though, “Thunderbolts” stands on its own as an enjoyable romp that actually gets an audience to invest in this group of misfits. It was no small-task, considering many of these characters were from TV shows and movies that underwhelmed.
Here, though, the antiheroes feel more like actual characters, instead of mere caricatures that were like cogs in the machines of other stories (mainly “Black Widow” and “Falcon & The Winter Soldier”). There’s a grounded rawness to all of the characters involved, with each bringing plenty of personality and unique identities to the table.
In a way, the film is reminiscent of 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The group includes a bunch of people who have mostly acted like selfish assholes, but still have moral thresholds and at the end of the day, will do the right thing. Seeing them do just that in this adventure where they have to band together, at first for survival and later to do actual good, is engaging.
It also helps that the writing from Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, as well as the acting, is really solid. The banter included between these characters and their eventual camaraderie works quite well, never feeling forced or out of place. There’s even some honest emotional moments with the characters confronting their past.
It’s also a plus that the picture features a unique villain who has direct personal ties to the main protagonists. It makes for some good action set pieces and a different approach to solving the final conflict. Though the final battle in its entirety goes on just a tad long. Overall, it entertains.
Where the film disappoints somewhat is in its involvement of de Fontaine’s large web of connections to various MCU things. Some of it works fine as set up for the story taking place, but at others, it seems like it’s getting a bit in the weeds in a convoluted way. It’s especially true with some of the political intrigue going on.
Despite this, and the fact that some familiar ground is retread, “Thunderbolts” succeeds in the end. The cast is likable here, especially Pugh, Sebastian Stan and Wyatt Russell. The fact that it features a group of characters who we enjoy hanging out with for two hours, plus some solid action make this work. 4 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
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