Thunderbolts*

 

Score:  A-

Directed by Jake Schreier

Starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Lewis Pullman, Julia Louis Dreyfus, et al

Running time: 126 minutes

Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  Thunderbolts* brings several minor Marvel characters into the spotlight for an Avengers-like team-up... only these guys are even less happy to do so, or even to fight for "good" in the first place.  The movie earns a place among Marvel's best entries, with a strong script, bevy of interesting characters (but not too many), and joyful humor.  This is another Marvel movie that turns away from simple, direct good guy-bad guy conflicts, too - a positive development.  Highly recommended for all, but especially superhero fans, of course.

Yelena (Pugh) is struggling to move on.  She was once a deadly assassin, or "Black Widow", trained as a young girl; while she escaped that life, soon after, her sister Widow, Natasha (Johansson) was killed.  So Yelena is putting her skills to use (somewhat) less lethally as a gun-for-hire for CIA director de Fontaine (Dreyfus), who has many projects of dubious origin on the side.  Yelena is not the only lost soul with special skills whom de Fontaine has recruited, however, and as she gets closer to some dirty secrets, Yelena finds herself hunted as much as the hunter.  With no Avengers available to save the day, however, Yelena must decide for whom - and what - she really wants to fight.

Thunderbolts* is one of the best Marvel superhero movies in recent years, notably returning to the franchise's trademark humor and fun, relatable characters rather than relying on spectacle.  The conceit is reminiscent of DC's Suicide Squad, which featured former villains forced to work together to save the day.  Thunderbolts instead uses "anti-heroes" - neither fully good nor bad, but all written off as defective or failed - and their teamwork is more organic and fitful.  Manipulating them is de Fontaine (Dreyfus), who is a clever mirror image of Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury; her motives are much more ambiguous and changing with circumstances.  There are few new characters, but all were formerly bit players and are more developed here and fit together well; it's nice to take a short break from the "stars".  

Yelena is the lead and Pugh is excellent.  Her expressions and tone can be numb, calloused (with a dry wit) due to her history - but she also flashes moments of compassion and tenderness that she has tried to suppress, and reluctantly takes on some leadership.  Stan as Winter Soldier is the most Avengers-adjacent and definitely gives a fun vibe as the "old hand" here; he steps back from the spotlight, though, instead making for a steady but quiet force for good.  It's great to see Russell as Walker/U.S. Agent (needs a better name?!?) again, and he gets a bit more back story.  His attitude is a great fit in Marvel land but it's also distinct.  Harbour's Red Guardian (Yelena's father) is basically here for comic relief, but he does a fantastic job of it, with his thick accent and larger-than-life presence.  Dreyfus is awesome and hilarious, of course, as de Fontaine, another perfect Marvel casting.  Introduced in previous stories, she gets a significant role here, singlehandedly fueling a Marvel present and (hopefully) future with compelling intrigue.  Pullman is also great casting as new guy "Bob"; his eyes are incredibly expressive, going from innocent and lost to joyful to crazed, etc.; he can fit in with a crowd or take center stage with ease.  

Thunderbolts' banter and odd-fellows relations are broadly similar to Avengers, but they also bring their own dynamic to that formula.  The essential ingredient of humor is definitely carried over, with fun one-liners and squabbles:  the writing is back to the level of the good old days, thanks to a Marvel veteran and TV comedian duo.  Genuine connections between the very different characters are also back.  There are no forced BFF vibes - rather, the characters are simply forced to count on each other and gradually, grudgingly appreciate their common backgrounds to develop a bit of affection or at least respect. Hopefully this "B-team" will get plenty more screen time in the future!

Thunderbolts* also has a fun, serviceable story with some good action scenes, though the overall world it builds is most interesting element.The main plot eventually comes around to introducing a new super-person:  not exactly new idea, but it's handled well (gently poking fun at the idea itself and allowing for a taste of spectacle, etc.).  It's briskly paced, too: no wasted time, only a handful of boring cliches.The action is good and varied, and surprisingly modest for a marquee superhero movie.  Yelena gets to show off her martial arts skills, especially in early skirmishes, and there's a well-choreographed "friendly fire" fight amongst the heroes (a la Avengers).  A cool chase scene with humor and a neat Terminator callback rounds it out.  And instead of a big melee to end the movie, we get a save-the-civilians scene (again, a la Avengers) and a sci-fi-like sequence in which the heroes confront their pasts and literally must get past them to defeat their own darker selves to save the day.  Overall, Thunderbolts presents an interesting setup in which there are no more "superheroes" as traditionally thought of, though government and society is clamoring for them.  The machinations of trying to create those superheroes - the why and the how - are the focus, and the ways that can either hurt or help the world.  Marvel is back in top form!

***

I had been looking forward to Thunderbolts* for some time, and was glad that it met my expectations.  Hell, even the critics, who have seemed sick of anything from Marvel for the last five years, give it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes!  To me, it's ultimately a great combination of the general things that make Marvel movies so fun - the humor, good characters, and interesting plot/action - with a fresh perspective, focusing on lesser-known (and highly flawed) heroes in a more complex world.  So the summer movie season is off to a great start!  There are a few other movies in May I'm looking forward to, and hopefully there will again be some surprises along the way, too.  Until next time!

* By http://www.impawards.com/2025/thunderbolts_ver10.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76191780