Film Review - Thunderbolts*
Images courtesy of The Walt Disney Company.
If I’m being completely honest, I am very tired of the superhero formula and Thunderbolts* was not on my list of movies to go see this year. Going into the premiere, I didn’t have the highest expectations. But when the screening was over, I must admit that I did enjoy myself and my time throughout. Thunderbolts* is the latest instalment in the Marvel franchise and is directed by Jake Schreier (Paper Towns, Beef 2023). Starring Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Midsommar) and Sebastian Stan returning as The Winter Soldier, and both as the only members of the original phase in the main cast.
It was always going to be impossible for Thunderbolts* to live up to the highs of other big Marvel films, such as The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, that this film is trying to channel. Primarily due to many of the high-profile Marvel superheroes in the franchise already being used up. But the cast of Thunderbolts* being played as antiheroes does a decent job of shaking up the superhero formula enough, while remaining true to its roots for fans of the genre. Its closest comparison is most likely DC’s Suicide Squad, but the cast of heroes is more interesting to explore in depth. The biggest standout for me was Jake Schrier as John Walker - a U.S Agent playing a fallen-from-grace version of a Captain America like superhero. The rest of the cast did a decent job throughout and the chemistry between them is fine, but is nowhere near as strong as previous team-up Marvel entries. This does make some moments in the film (such as the climax) ring a little hollow, seemingly relying on the audience being invested in the characters' relationships.
My biggest praise for Thunderbolts* is its portrayal of the themes of loneliness and depression throughout. It really utilised the superhero genre to explore it uniquely, and how it impacts a group of heroes who have been cast out and only exist in the shadows of society. Its themes are so prevalent that the antagonist of the film is a vessel for casting darkness and consuming characters through their emotions.
There isn’t much to criticise in Thunderbolts*. It does a good job of remaining consistent throughout its run time while having some interesting twists throughout. If you are over the superhero genre, there might be something new here worth checking out - if you are ready to jump back in. It's not something that will completely blow you away compared to moments in other Marvel films, but it is an entertaining film that is worth checking out.
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Thunderbolts* is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.