When I watched the new Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Thunderbolts*, my interest was most certainly not lost in the void. Its originality and unforgettable action scenes have me tapping the “watch again” button at lightning speed.
The 36th installment of the MCU is watchable on Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV as it follows Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, aka Black Widow, who works for CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) as a criminal operative. As Yelena seeks to leave her life of crime behind, she learns that retiring from this sort of job is not that simple.
Before long, Yelena is trapped in a facility alongside some of Fontaine’s other operatives. When the facility turns into their own personal death trap, they realize that they have all been betrayed by Fontaine.
Thunderbolts* undoubtedly has a stacked cast full of amazing performances, but Pugh stole the movie and flew away with it.
Viewers have already witnessed Pugh’s acting capabilities in 2021’s Black Widow, but here, she is in full force. Yelena’s deadpan humor and underlying depression are perfectly portrayed in Pugh’s emotional delivery and character interactions.
What makes Thunderbolts* so memorable is its unique story structure that differentiates it from the typical blockbuster movie.
The first and second acts include the average action-packed fight sequences, but they also reveal an emotional theme that has never been covered in any Marvel movie and is rarely discussed in action movies: you can’t fight your emotions all alone.
The third act delivers the theme by revealing the deep vulnerability in each character and the immense struggles they shoulder.
Although the storyline itself is very well written, the first 20 minutes of the film are rushed and it struggles to find its footing, but once it gets going I found myself on the edge of my seat with my eyes glued to the screen.
Another undoubted strength of Thunderbolts* is its visual effects and creative fight sequences.
The choreography team deserves a bravo, because I still find myself replaying the fight sequences in my mind long after my first watch. Most of the visual effects are not crafted by CGI, but are rather authentic practical effects. The creativity of the production gives the film its unique personality that you see all throughout the two hours and six minutes of run-time.
In a time when blockbuster films are not quite as memorable as they used to be, Thunderbolts* creates a new standard of movie-making and breathes fresh air into the film industry.
The film’s focus on mental health makes it particularly appealing to those struggling emotionally, but its theme of unity can make it a favorite movie of anyone. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or not, I believe you’ll enjoy this movie.
On a scale of one to five, I give this film five RedHawks.
