The Marvel Cinematic Universe post-Avengers: Endgame has been a somewhat chaotic and divisive era among fans. Between real-life tragedies and scandals causing narrative shifts in the MCU’s larger plan, as well as complete fatigue from Marvel enthusiasts and more casual viewers, it seemed that Marvel had a lack of direction to address. Thunderbolts* gives hope that Marvel is finally back on track, narratively speaking. This is not to say that Thunderbolts* has been the only great product Marvel has put out since Endgame, but as far as the world-building and thread connection that Marvel has prided itself in creating since Phase 1, Thunderbolts* is easily their most thought-out and well-set-up project of the post Endgame era.
The movie works in a variety of ways, the first of which being the team dynamic. All of the pieces of the Thunderbolts puzzle work really well together, due to a sort of joint trauma. It’s an interesting juxtaposition from the original Avengers team, where unlikely albeit heroic people joined together to face a threat for the sake of humanity and peace. These Thunderbolts are a group of misfits, some of whom have given up entirely on the concept of heroism, and are more focused on just living their everyday lives. When they finally do band together, it is not the idea of saving humanity or the city that drives them: It is to rescue a friend, who is falling into the same darkness they recognize so well.
The film is co-written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, who crafted some of the most naturally funny dialogue Marvel has created, without being hammy. While the film has intense action and great fights, it’s the quiet moments that speak the loudest, and it was these small conversations and interpersonal moments throughout the film that quickly gave heart to all of the characters.
One of the highlights of the movie is Florence Pugh’s Yelena. She carries the tone of the film with every word she speaks, and while the whole ensemble does heavy lifting, watching her grow throughout the film as slivers of her heroic potential seep out, it makes me sure that Marvel is setting her up to be the face (and heart) of this new era.
Thunderbolts* is the first MCU film that made me glad I watched its supporting Disney+ shows. Having the background on Wyatt Russell’s John Walker felt crucial to me. He was one of the more showcased characters, and they did a great job here of cleaning him up a bit from his fall in Falcon and the Winter Soldier without making it seem like he changed entirely. He is still cocky, bitter and rash, but you can see the moments that made the government consider him as Captain America.
Overall, Thunderbolts* is heartfelt and heroic. It makes you root for these people, not because they are godly, super, geniuses, or even that capable, you root for them because they are trying, just so hard to be a little be better than they were, and in turn lifting each other in the process. The MCU has started a new roadmap with this team, and I am very excited to see where it leads.
