I am not a big Marvel fan, but a huge cinephile. I love watching films that make me smile, shed some tears and leave me with an afterthought. Sitting in front of the screen, munching on the cheese popcorn and sipping Coke while watching a film has now become a passion. While not every film offers me a pleasant experience, I am happy to share that finally, the kid and the adult in me are feeling happy and content again. All thanks to the latest Marvel film Thunderbolts* starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman. The film about a group of antiheroes is directed by Jake Schreier, and this film definitely revives the long-lost charm of Marvel movies, and does it so well! Read our thoughts here.
Plot
Not a Marvel fan, but I know that some of the last Marvel films have not left the fans feeling very happy. Thunderbolts* is a ray of hope? I would like to believe so. It’s a simple plot about how Valentina Allegra de Fontaine AKA Val ( Julia Louis-Dreyfus) wants to kill the antiheroes Yelena (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Olga Kurylenko). However, in times of difficulties, the three antiheroes unite and save themselves along with a John Doe (Lewis Pullman), who actually becomes a new character, The Sentry or Void. Sebastian Stan as Bucky is a congressman but he later joins the antiheroes to defeat the Sentry, void, darkness, emptiness or whatever you’d like to call him. David Harbour as Alexie or The Red Guardian also comes to save the antiheroes on a bad day, and these antiheroes eventually earn the title of the New Avengers with a Z!
Set in the backdrop of New York, Thunderbolts* tells a story that is more than just a superhero flick. It deals with themes like loneliness, the void and a sense of darkness that exists in every human, on some level or other. The film evokes a number of emotions while giving us banger action sequences too! In this film, we also get to learn about the dark pasts of Yelena and Walker. Even Alexie goes through some tumultuous times about regretting his decision and choices as a father.
Performances
There is no doubt that I enjoyed every actor’s performance in this film. Florence Pugh as Yelena or Black Widow was flawless. She had my absolute attention during her hand-to-hand combats, and the balance of expressions during the emotional bits was quite hard-hitting. Sebastian Stan was as always smart, classy and well, I enjoyed his confused bit as a congressman too. David Harbour as Alexie has to be my favourite of all. His dream of creating a new Avengers team finally paid off, while he also added comic relief to the plot with his epic comic timing. Lewis Pullman, Wyatt Russell, and Olga Kurylenko have delivered amazing performances in Thunderbolts*. Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Val had a strong screen presence, and I enjoyed her sly, witty and evil character too. I mean, could not entirely hate her!
Something Fresh, Relevant
Thunderbolts* is the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this time, the heroes are not all about saving the world with extraordinary acts of bravery and superhero powers. It’s also about being human! The new Avengers team struggles with self-doubts too; they have horrifying pasts where they have made mistakes, they acknowledge a sense of void in themselves, but in the end, they overpower all of this too. This group of antiheroes made humans and their emotions feel seen. The emotions that most of us have been suppressing in some form or the other. The film is a reminder that one does not have to deal with all of it alone, and seek help too. Thunderbolts* certainly gives out a powerful message, and therefore, this time, the MCU film feels wholesome!
Well, the world can be saved if we save ourselves first!
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Action!
Thunderbolts* has exciting action sequences too,, and it keeps you hooked throughout the dramatic, high-on-action moments. They are shot, choreographed and presented stylishly, like most of the MCU films. And some of them got me on the edge of my seat. The VFX is also a plus point of this film.
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Verdict
Thunderbolts* has the potential of being the MCU film that the fans were desperately waiting for. There is action, comedy, emotions, and so much more that it does not let you feel bored or distracted, even for a millisecond. I was invested in the film and enjoyed watching every character too. The plot is engaging, the screenplay is commendable, and the use of background score also elevates the experience of watching it. Thunderbolts* is hitting the theatres on May 1, Thursday. So go and enjoy it with a popcorn!