Thunderbolts* are Go! (A Spoiler Free Review)

A new team arises from the Ashes of the MCU

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| Poster for the movie Thunderbolts* featuring: Yelena Belova, John Walker, Ghost, Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes and TaskMaster battling it out - © MARVEL Studios and Disney


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We once again return to the acclaimed world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as we follow a band of misfits and anti-heroes who try to… save the world? 

Yes it’s the MCU’s take on the Suicide Squad. But do they do it better? And is the MCU back? Or has this franchise finally toppled? 

Well no spoilers obviously (that review comes later), but the Thunderbolts* is definitely a turn in the right direction from the MCU. We seem to return to the form of ‘storytelling’ rather than dazzling fans with the biggest and best CGI fight imaginable. And yes, unlike their DC counterparts the Thunderbolts truly feel like redeemable villains who could rise to be some of the best heroes in the MCU.

Our band of Misfits (Yelena, Bucky, Ghost, John and Alexi) pile themselves into an elevator.
| A team of misfits to rival the Avengers? - © MARVEL Studios and Disney

Surprisingly throwing together a group of B (and in some cases C or even E) class ‘antiheroes’ together works. All having sketchy paths, our ragtag team find themselves having to begrudgingly work together to save the world, and try not to kill each other while they do so. 

Slotting in perfectly with the likes of ‘Captain America and the Winter Soldier’ (2014) and ‘Black Widow’ (2021), ‘Thunderbolts*’ is an amazing action thriller with well choreographed fight scenes, but also a fair helping of emotion. While characters such as Ava Starr AKA Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) get a little more depth to otherwise prior two dimensional characterisations, others like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bob (Lewis Pullman) truly shine as the crowning jewels of this movie. Both actors gave some of the best performances from them to date.

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova posing off a storm.
| Yelena is trained to be ready for any situation, but is she ready to lead a team? - © MARVEL Studios and Disney

Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova is the heart and soul of this movie, from beginning to end she is a delight, and if I’m honest all the reason you need to go watch this movie, cementing her as one of the most pivotal new characters of the MCU. Sebastian Stan also makes his triumphant return to the silver screen, after a short stint on Disney Plus for ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021). Despite having a much smaller role than most would have expected, his return is a delight and nice addition to tie the movie into the larger MCU universe.

Valentina talks with Yelena in the newly renovated Avengers Tower.
| Her name is Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and don't forget it! - © MARVEL Studios and Disney

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is a fantastically twisted version of Nick Fury, serving as a full blown James Bond villain and is the linchpin that pulls our dysfunctional antiheroes together. Then there is David Harbour’s Alexei Shostakov AKA the Red Guardian who is comedic gold, definitely channelling every high schooler’s embarrassing dad in his ‘over the top’ and from occasionally embarrassing support of Yelena and her new ‘friends’. And I won’t say much but Lewis Pullman’s Bob is an incredibly intriguing character who definitely has an exciting future within the MCU.  

Truly a return to form for Marvel, ‘Thunderbolts*’ is an amazing new chapter in the MCU timeline, and has definitely piqued my interest for what is to come next. If you are a Marvel fan then this movie is a no brainer. Or if you aren’t but are looking for a fun action packed movie to set off your spring then this is the movie for you. 

But I will warn you there are some major spoilers and reveals throughout this movie (and its two post credit scenes so don’t be so quick to leave!) so get to your local cinema quick! And once you have, maybe check out my spoiler review!