Directed by Jake Schreier and released on 2 May, Thunderbolts* is the latest film from Marvel Studios. If you exclude the time lost to COVID and the Writers Guild strike, it is just a few years since the epic, multiverse-spanning Avengers films appear to have run their course.
What do you do when you can’t go bigger, through time, across realities or reap more destruction than ever? How about bringing in some anti-heroes (with no actual supernatural powers) in from the cold?
A strong start to Thunderbolts* with Yelena Belova
Thunderbolts* starts strongly with a memorable stunt from Florence Pugh reprising her role as Yelena Belova, sister to the Black Widow in the 2021 film of the same name.
With some initial reluctance, Pugh adeptly leads the ensemble and her deadpan brand of ennui helps the viewer to reflect on the events that the characters are required to face. She is not your stereotypical action hero and doesn’t seem to want to be. This appears to be a great fit for her, as her real-life outlook is far from the stereotypical actresses we may be accustomed to. Pugh has been vocal about body positivity, advocating for self-acceptance and pushing back against unrealistic beauty standards.
Many fans have expressed a little disappointment with some of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) other recent releases. Thor: Love and Thunder seemed to have delivered corny rather than witty humour, groans where there could have been grins, so it’s with a degree of relief that nearly all of the humour in Thunderbolts* lands so well. The impressive performances of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as the scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and David Harbour as the washed out, but enthusiastic Red Guardian help to elevate the film beyond that of just another superhero film.
A new team of misfits: the Thunderbolts assemble
Thunderbolts*, the disputed and not officially adopted name of this group of anti-heroes (hence the asterisk in the title) brings together an unlikely group (“So none of us can fly?” “So what? We all just punch and shoot?”) and, as the film progresses, fill the void left by the now disbanded Avengers.
As well as ‘good’ anti-heroes, it delivers both likeable baddies (notably Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier) and unlikable goodies (For example, Wendell Pierce as the pompous Congressman Gary).
The team is rounded out with Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost whose battle suit allows her to become invisible and intangible and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, the flawed replacement to Steve Roger’s Captain America.
Political themes and moral ambiguity
Scratch beneath the surface of the main action and like-minded fans have endless material to debate on the political themes explored by the film, including the role of government oversight and control, redemption and political power, and moral ambiguity and ethical leadership.
The pacing of the film is maintained well with every scene playing its part and, while over two hours, it manages to avoid the bloat that some films attempt to deliver for ever more bang for the buck.
Cinematographically, superpowers can be difficult to portray convincingly. If a character is just too powerful, it can cause the whole premise to fray. Thunderbolts* introduces new characters with superpowers but still allows for a worthwhile narrative to play out as the weak are allowed to become strong just as the opposite is true.
In what feels like an increasingly polarised world, the way that Thunderbolts* tackles the themes of good and evil, right and wrong, and even likeable and unlikeable characters certainly gives the audience new food for thought. Perhaps even people (politicians, say) that you disagree with have a positive contribution to make. Maybe your political heroes turn out not to be able to actually deliver the solutions you crave. It’s more nuanced than changing sides, but changing thoughts and hearts is possible even if it’s hard as it is helpful.
Watch out for…
Most cinema-goers are aware of Marvel’s penchant for post-credit teasers and viewers should be patient and wait for not one, but two scenes following this film.
Whilst the film is fully set within phase five of the MCU, it is more than capable of standing alone and should appeal to those who are new to Marvel as well as avid fans.
There is more to the film to be enjoyed beyond the events described in this spoiler free review. In summary, Thunderbolts* continues the MCU’s evolution, offering a nuanced take on superheroes and anti-heroes, with a narrative that reflects the complexities of an increasingly polarized world.
