Marvel Studios' THUNDERBOLTS* is finally in theaters across the world and it is one of the studios' best new IP movie releases since GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.
The film is pretty much the continuation of storylines from various films and series from Marvel's stable of IPs. Yelena and Red Guardian's stories continue from the BLACK WIDOW movie as well as the Disney+ series FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER and HAKWEYE (where Yelena made a cameo). Ghost's story continues from the ANT-MAN franchise, although not much is developed with her character. Taskmaster's story continues from BLACK WIDOW as well, although her character development isn't much to root for either. US Agent's story also continues from FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER. And finally Bucky Barnes' story continues from most recently his appearance in CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD.
The film's antagonist is truly Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played wonderfully by Julia Louise-Dreyfus. She knows the world needs a new Avengers team, but she also knows how she needs to clean up all her shady loose ends before she can acquire more governmental power, too. In a nutshell, this is how the Thunderbolts* are born as they each were tasked with taking each other out without knowing Valentina was the architect behind the missions... until they all meet and fight and realize Valentina's plan.
So they form a team, but not before accidentally waking up Bob from his sleeping chamber (or more like a prison coffin). Bob was a test subject of one of Valentina's many experiments in trying to replicate the Steve Rogers super solider serum. Most subjects failed and died, but not Bob, who still doesn't truly understand the massive amount of power he has until Valentina convinces him to be her new superhero, Sentry. But when it's time for Sentry to take the center stage, that's when it all goes bad and he turns into his alter-ego villain, The Void.
The cast is fantastic here as marketing for the film really implied this movie was to be a Bucky-led team when the reality is that the movie is secretly more a Yelena and Red Guardian movie than a Winter Solider/Bucky film. Yelena and Red Guardian are both still dealing with the emotion fallout of the death of Black Widow and the movie really leans hard into mental health because of it. Not to mention Bob's mental health state which is a catalyst for The Void to emerge.
Action scenes are fun and exciting, the humor isn't too much and just the right amount of it to make you laugh even in the most serious moments.
In the end, the film is a wonderful addition to the MCU and a much needed breath of fresh air after the most recently released CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD fell flat on its face earlier this year.
Worthy of a second screening, or more, as it seems the MCU is really gearing back up to having blockbuster release after release with this summer's FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS on deck for release.
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