Thunderbolts is Marvel’s latest team-up movie, but this time it’s bringing a different kind of superhero team to the big screen. This movie does not have your typical superhero team saving the day being your “friendly superheroes. Thunderbolts instead focuses on characters with complicated pasts and rough edges. This takes the typical hero movie and creates a more complicated story. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film takes a more serious and emotional tone than most marvel movies but still delivers on the typical action expected and sharp humor.
Even though it connects to the marvel universe, Thunderbolts feels like a fresh start with a new team we haven’t seen before. There’s tension, teamwork and some surprising emotional moments. Whether you’re a long time marvel fan or someone who has no knowledge of marvel movies this movie can be enjoyed no matter what. The misfit team is given a second chance and now is sent on a mission to take down a new villain named Sentry. Either way the movie offers a unique watching experience and it stands out from other action movies.
The cast is full of familiar faces from past marvel films. Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova and gives a great performance. She ends up funny, strong and brings a lot of emotion to her role. Sebastian Stan is back as Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter soldier, and you can really see the change in his character after losing his best friend Captain America. David Harper plays the Red Guardian and adds a nice mix of humor and heart. Wyatt Russell acts again as the U.S Agent John Walker becoming another predecessor of Captain America getting the super serum also. John Walker was one of the best characters in this movie, having to live with the shoes of Captain America to fill, but he is not the same man as Captain America. Hannah John Karmen plays Ghost, and Olga Kurylenko acts as Taskmaster. Julia Louis Dreyfus, mostly known for comedy, is surprisingly sharp and intense as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. There is a new character named Bob, played by Lewis Pullman.
Visually, the movie looks great. It’s not super colorful or filled with crazy alien space effects.
Many scenes take place in gritty, cold, or closed spaces, which matches the more serious mood. The camera work pulls you in and during the action sequences. You can clearly see the fight happening unlike some other movies where they shake the camera and make the fight very small and unclear what is happening. The action in this movie is definitely worth the theater experience.
The Music is done by Son Lux, and it sets the tone very well. Instead of big super hero fanfares, the soundtrack has a softer sound and instruments used. It gives the movie a unique sound without being too dramatic. It’s a sound track and keeps the emotions of the movie in mind.
While the plot might feel familiar to many team-up movies before, what makes Thunderbolts stand out is the way it focuses on the characters. They aren’t perfect heroes, they are flawed and some have made unforgivable mistakes. Watching them figure out how to work as a team instead of running solo. They all end up improving each other and complement each other well as a team. You might see some of the twists coming, but it still kept a strong grip on my attention.
In the end, Thunderbolts is a solid entry in the Marvel universe. It takes a more realistic approach but still keeps the Marvel charm you either love or hate. It has many strong performances, action, and a story that makes you care about the characters and not just the action. I would recommend this movie to watch in theaters and it is deserving of a 4/5. This movie is about second chances and regardless of the state of marvel at the moment, give them a second chance to watch this movie.
