‘Thunderbolts*’ REVIEW: Filling a void in the MCU with heart and purpose
‘Thunderbolts*’ REVIEW: Filling a void in the MCU with heart and purpose
The Thunderbolts*, an unconventional team of antiheroes, are caught in a deadly trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) must take on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront their dark pasts and seek redemption as they unite against a powerful threat.
Ghost, Taskmaster, US Agent, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, and Yelena Belova in Thunderbolts* | Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
Having measly expectations heading into Thunderbolts* added a certain satisfaction that took me back to what a Phase One Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film felt like. We could say the film is a back-to-basics entry that embraces being character-driven and is not afraid to focus on that. Despite a grand scale that’s to be expected, the film does know how to make use of surprises very well.
For starters, the film took its time to flesh out the characters’ stories. A film centered on a team could have suffered from poorly developed characters, but this one avoided that pitfall. It didn’t overcomplicate things; instead, it highlighted who these people were and why they did what they did. Because at the end of the day, these antiheroes were still human, in some shape or form.
Florence Pugh got to shine as Yelena Belova, still grieving over the death of her “sister,” Natasha Romanoff. I gravitated particularly to how she held her own as an Oscar-caliber actress, fully embracing the role she was given while starring in the superhero genre. Her dynamic with David Harbour’s Alexei was a standout. The father-daughter dysfunctional dynamic may have been a bit overdone, but the film handled it with heart and a level of understanding that allowed us to realize that all you needed was the right moment. The film wasn’t shy about giving us dramatic scenes that stayed true to the characters, not just for the sake of having an emotionally packed moment.
Red Guardian, Ghost, US Agent, and Yelena tied up in Thunderbolts* | Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
Joining the team was Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, who got a shot at redemption. While Russell was brilliant at portraying Walker as a self-righteous “Captain America” with the swagger of a high school jock masking deep insecurities, the character ultimately served a greater purpose. He was one of the highlights of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and I was glad to see Walker evolve into a character that many men, especially those struggling mentally and emotionally, could relate to.
In hindsight, we should have understood why this was the roster Marvel chose, despite having other members in the comics, like Baron Zemo, Songbird, Man-Thing, and even the beloved “red team” incarnation featuring Elektra, Agent Venom, Ghost Rider, and The Punisher. Rather than sticking with a more comic-inspired lineup, the film played around with established (or still underdeveloped) characters in the MCU, focusing on a more cohesive story that centered on flawed individuals with room for growth.
US Agent, Bucky, Ghost, and Red Guardian on the streets in Thunderbolts* | Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
Not to mention, the addition of a character kept under wraps was what held the film’s message together. It wasn’t the typical portrayal of an overdone “powerful” figure; instead, it focused on what made them human. I felt that director Jake Schreier and the rest of the crew poured all the love and care into the story, proudly advocating the idea that no one has to be alone. They highlighted mental health as an essential part of one’s journey. That, to me, is what makes us human: the longing for connection and the hope of finding people who truly feel like family.
For the first time in a while, the final moments made us excited for what was to come. It felt earned, and slowly but surely, we might have been getting a bright future after the bleakness of the recent MCU hits and misses. We could’ve gotten an ending where we saw the Thunderbolts have shawarma, and it would’ve been alright. That’s what happened when we were allowed to connect and care for them, even though we weren’t injected with super soldier serum or trained in the Red Room.
Red Guardian, Ghost, Bucky, Yelena, and US Agent on the elevator in Thunderbolts* | Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
It was a giant swerve to become a worthy MCU flick to see on the big screen. In the past few years, it had felt like going through an uphill battle to appreciate all the films and series Marvel put out, and so maybe this turned out to be just the bare minimum. But that didn’t seem to be quite the case here. The marketing for the film also did wonders, as it didn’t generate an insane buzz going into it, which most of us had expected to be a run-of-the-mill team-up movie. Glad I was wrong.
Overall, from the emotional highs to the genuine surprises, Thunderbolts* was more than just a Marvel entry. It showed that its characters weren’t the perfect group to save the world; they had their quirks and didn’t fit the mold of larger-than-life heroes. The characterization of the team masterfully showcased their flaws and imperfections, all while providing a sense of redemption, regardless of where they came from. In the grand scheme of things, the film reminded us that we can acknowledge our struggles, imperfections, and our need for connection.
Thunderbolts* is currently showing in Philippine cinemas.
