Thunderbolts* Review
“I send you there to kill each other, and you make nice and form a team”
In a world without the Avengers, who will protect the world against the next threat? Surly it’s not a band of super soldiers and contract killers. Only in this case it is, and after all everyone deserves a second shot. After finding themselves on a mission that is supposed to lead them to greener grasses, instead they find out it’s a death trap. Intended to wipe Vals slate clean once and for all. But what she doesn’t know is this will force Yelena, John, Ava to join forces and later joined by Alexi and Bucky to help put an end to Val once and for all. While trying to do a clean slate she doesn’t know that Project Sentry was actually successful, and has led the team to Bob. He, doesn't remember how he ended up in that vault but what he does know is he wants out. But only together will they be able to escape, and no one knows is what Bob is truly capable of not even himself.
Each will be faced by their darkest fears/pasts within the void, but it will lead to their second shot and to a newly formed team Thunderbolts* to save Bob, and the city.
**Spoilers below**
Opening thoughts:
I wish they didn’t kill taskmaster, I still don’t fully believe she’s truly gone. After all she is a spy and can mimic anyone she fights. I’d like to think her mask absorbed the shot and it’s just a flesh wound, and she ends up escaping leaving that mess. So, we may still see her again. I didn’t see the actress, cast, or director talk about this character at all which makes me believe this, and also a little sad. So much potential and story to be told with Antonia who is finally free from Dreykov, and with so much skill and knowledge.
Yelena was the unsung leader of this bunch. From bullying John, to keeping Ava in her place, and being the support for Bob in more ways than I could count. She brought them together and they all looked to her to lead the way. While I am thankful only 2 mentions of Natasha, I old to their old relationship and just know Natasha would be proud of her. I can’t wait to see how we see her move forward in the future as the leader of the New Avengers. Her fearlessness to jump into the Void to go to Bob and bring him home.
John, I was so happy to see the progress with him, and I am pleased to see Wyatt kill it in the role. I was never on the Walker hate train. He did the best he could do as Captain America, and then again with US Agent. He gave his all for a country that turned their back on him, after he lost his friend and so much more. Im glad to see he found a new home and family that loves him. I would love to see Bucky have more of a respect for him and actually become friends. I just know Yelena is the reason for his new beret hat. I’m also gonna need Bob to fix his shield or Wakanda to help him out. At the end of the day his intentions are true and for the better of the team.
Ava, Alexi, and Bucky I did not see enough of, nor did we see their shame rooms; which I think was a missed opportunity. Alexi had some great growth, but still missed the whole fact he sent both Natasha and Yelena into the red room. I would have love to see something with a true apology from him but it seems like they will just move past it for now.
Now Bob, Sentry or the Void was the product of Val and her experiments that led to the creation of a man more powerful than 10,000 suns. I was not expecting to connect with him as much as I did, but I throughly enjoyed him. His mental health issues are a big aspect of this film, and every single team member. Yelena understood him, and truly looked out for him. Whether they continue as friends or romance I will love it. But jumping back in, Bob has some deep traumas that led him to where he was today. From his addiction, to abuse and so much more. Apart of that, has helped the Sentry be over taken by the Void; and the Void is something completely different. I implore you to read into him because Robert is a complex character with powers not yet explored, and I am excited to see how Avengers Doomsday will explore it.
But given the Russo’s treatment of The Hulk, Vision, and Wanda, among others; it leaves me hesitant. At the end of the day it was the power of friendship literally that save Bob and brought him back from the point of no return, so the comparison of that trash scene in Toy Story rang true. They all willingly entered the Void and faced their deepest fears to follow Yelena, and make it to him. Yes they are just a couple of super soldiers, and assasins’s. But that’s the point, the point to fight the fight that seems impossible but at the end of the day the humanness of it all. Not being alone in our fights, and asking for help.
One aspect of this film, as talked about by the director is the use of practical effects, and the what he wanted the Void to look like. What stuck out to me was, how he compared the shadows of the people to the shadows of Hiroshima and that broke my heart. But also just adds to the realness, and impactfulness of the film. I’d love to see him direct sequel and even an Avengers film in the future. But he is the only one I trust to direct a Thunderbolts* sequel.
At the core of this film, is mental health and the importance of asking for help, and leaning on others. It really had a street level Avengers feel, and just felt really impactful and intimate. It didn’t feel like a big budget, big risks film. I’d like to see a trilogy, and just really see this team have more domestic moments, and grow as a team and family. Sadly this was not something we saw in any of the Avengers films, and their barely knew anything about each other.
The acting performances were on another level, and I am so glad Marvel found their Sentry in Lewis Pullman and I look forward to seeing how he grows the character. Florence Pugh, as always masters the spy skills but this time it added more to her story and I just hope people do not get it twisted. She is her own character with her own story. But, Natasha/Scarlett paved the way for her and she walked so, Florence and all the other women in Marvel could run. My last stand out was Wyatt Russell, who really added another level to John Walker that made him likable and just a fan favorite in my opinion. They all had exceptional chemistry and just mashed so well together. Just a great balance of humor, intimacy, emotions, impactful, and just pure action. One part I really enjoyed were the credits and just them being marketed as the New Avengers. I am sure there is so much I haven’t touched on, but there were so many little things that added to the specialness of this film. From Val, to Mel (maybe Songbird), to the freaking Sentry suit I was just in awe of it all, and hope you will be too.
By the end the New Avengers will grasp your heart, and have you waiting for their next appearance. Since day one I was excited for them and I am just as excited to see where they go and how they grow as a family and team. Natasha and Steve would be so proud of them. I implore you to watch this just enjoy the story, and sit twice for the mid and end-credit scenes.
