Thunderbolts* – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Thunderbolts* – Of Personal Worth: The Heart of Misfits and Heroes

Film is a medium of varied experiences and expectations.  As fans, we go to the theaters (or turn on a streaming service) in hopes the next few hours will be an enjoyable experience.  No matter the genre, the draw is a leveling of circumstance that can be elevated by the unexpected.  When you get that extra layer, the experience will become something more.  In this review, I look at the latest film from Marvel Studios.  Starting from a unique premise, we head into a story that goes beyond superheroes.  With a strong cast and a different spin on the genre,  Thunderbolts* is a thought-provoking narrative that brings about what it means to be more than a hired gun, but a real person.

When political strife and black ops collide, a group of vigilantes will reluctantly work together to stop the crisis, or face a situation where no one will survive.  For a comic book film, many of us already have a general idea in our head what to expect.  From the ‘hero’s quest’ mantra to the ‘good vs. evil’ motif, there are plot points that become a staple of all these films.  Every once in a while, one stands out that goes a bit beyond its foundation, building within aspects of melding genres, character orientated tales or a grounded foundation.  This latest Marvel entry stands out within its own unique flavor, but also elevates everything that ties into the MCU.  In the beginning, we come into this story through the eyes of Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who is on a black-ops mission for CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).  After a series of grounded action sequences and general conversations, we learn that Belova has been destroying certain labs for Fontaine, which could tie her back to the OXE Group and their human experimental trials.  Paralleling Belova and the other unknown black-ops missions is the political situation that Fontaine finds herself in; the US government has her on trial for these ‘connections’, and with the help of Bucky Barnes (Sebastain Stan), they want to find evidence to bring her down.  As things begin to kick into high gear, Fontaine sends Belova on one last covert mission to a secret OXE facility.  In this facility, she comes into contact with others that work for Fontaine, which include John Walker/US Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko).  After another grounded action sequence, certain truths come to light that allude to something bigger than just their missions and Fontaine’s political crisis.  As the group gains further members to their cause, like Belova’s father Red Guardian (David Harbour), Bob (Lewis Pullman) and eventually Bucky, the journey begins to elevate beyond the typical ‘comic book’ tropes and creates situations that layer a genuine touch of characterization in the action/political thriller elements.  The turn puts a lens on each individual, one that provides true humanistic overtures to the idea of what it means to be a person with purpose, what the true intent is on being a hero. 

As the story shifts towards the unexpected alliance between Belova and the others, it becomes a unique blend of the ‘Marvel’ formula in a thematic approach of depression, hopelessness and human bonds.  The infusion of these themes towards fictional characters showcases a strength of dialogue, an elevation that shines on a script that priorities substance in the face of bombastic allure.  From witty one-liner to the genuine interactions between unscrupulous characters, it reflects on the idea of that human wall of vulnerability.  From Belova’s struggle to find worth to John Walker trying to imbue confidence in his own strife, the individualized moments heighten within the layers of a comic book film.  As each member struggles with their own place in this world, it parallels with them uncovering the truth of the OXE human experiments.  When everything comes to light, we head into a third act that begins with familiar ‘comic book’ moments, but turns into an elevated experience that puts a strong lens on the endearment of human worth.  This turning point pushes forward strong, emotional moments to the forefront that leads to a fulfilling climax and epilogue.  Thunderbolts* is a Marvel film that goes beyond to be a truly satisfying experience.  If you are a fan of Marvel, comic book films, character or human stories, this is one for you.  It is one of Marvel’s best films to date, one that is truly worth seeing in theaters.

Full Score – 4.5 out of 5 (Award Worthy)