No, Thunderbolts* isn’t peak MCU. It doesn’t try to be the next Infinity War or No Way Home. What it does aim for - and largely succeeds at - is delivering a tighter, character-driven story with grounded action and a welcome return to the franchise’s earlier roots.
This movie excels because of its characters and the performances that breathe life into them. This rag-tag group of anti-heroes and underdogs have exceptional chemistry and an immensely entertaining on-screen dynamic. From witty banter to more impactful, character focused conversations, the Thunderbolts* just may become your new favourite MCU team. There’s a camaraderie and tension between them that keeps things fun but also emotionally grounded. The movie doesn’t shy away from difficult subject matter either. Depression, addiction, PTSD, and the fallout of violence are all prevalent themes that are tackled head-on, with surprising nuance and respect. These characters are broken in believable ways, and the film gives them the space to sit in their pain without rushing to fix everything with a joke.
Florence Pugh, once again, proves she’s one of the strongest assets Marvel has right now. She brings depth, vulnerability, and razor-sharp wit to Yelena, commanding every scene she’s in without overshadowing the ensemble. David Harbour is another standout as Red Guardian, with stellar comedic delivery that bears just enough heart as to not become cartoonish. Lewis Pullman also shines, with a quietly vulnerable turn as the mysterious Bob. The whole ensemble gives performances that feel lived-in, flawed, and human.
The movie does a solid job balancing humour with its more serious elements, and rarely do the jokes feel cringy or unearned. That said, the film’s not without its issues. The first act stumbles a bit, struggling to find its footing as it juggles introductions and exposition. Because of this, the pacing drags early on, with one too many conversations that feel closer to character recaps than they do plot advancement. However, once the story kicks into gear, it finds a solid rhythm and doesn’t look back. This movie also takes a non-traditional approach to its “villain”, leading to one of the most interesting and three-dimensional antagonists in the entirely of the MCU.
For a franchise that’s been heavily criticized lately for its overreliance on uneven CG, Thunderbolts makes a compelling case for scaling things back. There’s a grittier, more tactile feel to the action - real locations, practical effects, and fight choreography that actually has room to breathe. You feel the punches land and the bullets whiz by. There are some big, exciting set pieces but they never feel larger than the story being told. It’s a welcome shift away from some of the studio’s bigger, heavily digital projects, and it really helps immerse you in the plot.
Thunderbolts* isn’t revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a focused, character-first story that brings back some of the magic that made us fall in love with the MCU in the first place. It may not be top-tier Marvel, but it’s a vital reminder of what the MCU can still be when it chooses to care.