As the Marvel Cinematic Universe reaches the end of Phase 5 – also known as the second phase of the Multiverse Saga – it feels like an opportune time to reflect on a mixed bag of cinematic instalments. From the highs of Deadpool & Wolverine and the lows of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the MCU needs something to remind fans why it is successful at the box office and with audiences. This is where the latest MCU film – Thunderbolts* – comes in.
Starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan and Wyatt Russell, Thunderbolts* sees several Marvel antiheroes, which include Yelena Belova (Pugh), John ‘US Agent’ Walker (Russell) and Ava ‘Ghost’ Starr (Hannah John-Kamen) are forced into a dangerous mission that ultimately sees them work together.
At first glance, Thunderbolts* sets itself as the Suicide Squad of the MCU, which sees an array of Marvel supporting characters promoted to main protagonists. And rightly so – each character in the 36th instalment of the MCU has been in conflict with the Avengers in the past, whether it is loved ones (Black Widow’s sister Yelena), best friends (Steve Roger’s BFF Bucky) or former foes (Ant-Man frenemy Ghost). But the core element of the group dynamic is a need for redemption and an opportunity to prove themselves in an Avenger-less world – a fact that coldly ambitious CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) wants to exploit for personal gain, through new mystery character Bob (Lewis Pullman).
Screenwriters Eric Pearson and Joanne Calo bring an endearing angle that is not just about saving the world but breaking down personal barriers. Whether it is Walker being dismissed as “Junior Varsity” Captain America or Red Guardian labelled as “Old Santa”, the film finds the protagonists on individually dark and equally traumatic paths that evoke a collective sense of nihilism. This sentiment is echoed through the film’s big bad, shadowy supervillain Void, whose abilities are as terrifying as Thanos’ finger snap. The narrative may take an unsurprising turn as this bunch of misfits band together to fight Void but their newfound camaraderie reminds them – and the audience – that there will be people in the world who will have your back, even if they hate your guts.
Void’s overwhelming darkness aesthetically overwhelms the film so it diminishes the normally vibrant MCU colour palette. But while Marvel’s usual visual chaos is generally dialled down, the film redeems itself with well-choreographed sequences that see the group fight and gel together. The love-hate friendships between characters also create a natural comedic chemistry that builds their charm as a bunch of misfit antiheroes. Kamen and Russell deliver snark and barbs while Harbour’s grandiose Red Guardian is all about the glory of being a super-powered albeit forgotten soldier. Sebastian Stan brings a groundedness as now-Congressman Bucky, understanding the need for personal redemption all too well, while Pugh and Pullman stand out as their emotional performances offer a poignancy amid the heroics. Dreyfus is brilliantly conniving as the overly smiley puppetmaster in a role that is expanded from her fleeting appearances across the recent instalments of the MCU.
Directing his third feature, Robot & Frank director Jake Schreier blends heart and action to maintain a consistent pace. Most of the film involves thrilling fight scenes and hilarious set pieces, ranging from a tall elevator shaft and a wince-filled super-powered altercation. But Schreier makes his mark in this MCU with an impressive Everything Everywhere All at Once-inspired sequence involving a series of trauma-filled rooms. Combining Andrew Droz Palermo’s clever camerawork, impassioned dialogue and Son Lux’s melancholic score, it not only brings a twisted turn on a multiverse but amps the characters’ deep need to settle their pasts and enable their future.
As the closer for MCU’s Phase 5, Thunderbolts is a funny, action-packed and surprisingly poignant instalment that will appease fans with Marvel fatigue, with Pugh shining once again in a powerhouse performance.
Thunderbolts* is out in UK cinemas on Thursday 1 May.
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Director: Jake Schreier; Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo (screenwriters)
Stars: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour
Runtime: 126 minutes
Country: USA
