'Thunderbolts' Review: The Best Marvel Movie In A Long Time, With One Big Problem

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has faced some recent challenges. While films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 have been successful, many Phase Four and Five movies have fallen short. Similarly, while some Disney+ series, including WandaVision and Loki, were critically acclaimed, others haven't resonated with audiences. A major hurdle for the MCU is effectively connecting its diverse film and television projects, leading to viewer fatigue and declining engagement.

Thunderbolts, however, feels like a return to form. A significant improvement over Captain America: Brave New World, it offers a more classic MCU experience. (Spoilers ahead!)

The film centers on Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), a Black Widow seeking a more public role after tiring of her work as an assassin for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Inspired by her father, Red Guardian (David Harbour), she proposes this shift to de Fontaine, who agrees—on one condition: a final mission. De Fontaine, facing a congressional investigation, orchestrates a plan to eliminate all evidence of her actions, pitting her operatives against each other in a subterranean lab. This leads to the escape of a ragtag group of anti-heroes, along with a mysterious individual named Bob (Lewis Pullan).

This unlikely team—including John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)—unites to confront de Fontaine. Barnes, now a congressman, adds a unique dynamic to the group.

The film excels in several areas. The humor, driven by Harbour's Red Guardian and Pugh's sharp wit, is a highlight. The cast chemistry is superb, and Stan delivers a memorable action sequence showcasing the Winter Soldier's prowess. The pacing is excellent, keeping the nearly two-hour runtime engaging.

The film's weakness lies in its rushed third act. The confrontation with Sentry, a powerful being, and his darker ALTER EGO, Void, feels underdeveloped. Despite the intriguing potential of this conflict, the resolution is overly simplistic.

While Thunderbolts shares the flaw of many MCU films—a strong beginning and a rushed ending—it remains enjoyable. Its humor, action, and strong performances make it worthwhile, though it doesn't reach the heights of classic MCU films like The Avengers or Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Critiques regarding "girlboss" themes or the portrayal of male characters are unfounded. While some characters are comedic, they also have compelling moments. The balance between flawed yet ultimately heroic characters is well-executed. The absence of multiverse elements is also a welcome change, a refreshing departure from recent MCU trends.

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