Thunderbolts*
How to say I really like Marvel movies without sounding like a fucking idiot.
Thunderbolts lives up to the hype and then some. True to its odd team up, Thunderbolts tackles a lot of conflicting tones and ideas, that would usually be fighting each other, but come together to create something Marvel has never seen before.
A truly heartfelt look at loneliness and the longing for togetherness that had a refreshingly genuine heart behind it.
Florence Pugh not only gives another powerhouse performance like always, but the material (for this universe) is actually able to keep up with her for once. Yelena has never been this palpable of a character. I’ve always enjoyed her in other projects, but Thunderbolts* finally makes her a standout player in this world. What one movie has done for her is what they’ve been trying to do for Hawkeye over 15 movies and a tv show (a show that Yelena was in!). The emotion behind her story from beginning to end is the beating heart of the film, keeping me not only engaged but attached all the way through. I just couldn’t get enough of everything done with her here.
It was great to see the rest of the team also get a decent amount of development here. Alexei, Walker, Valentina and Bob all had amazing standout moments, and while Ava may have not had a moment all her own she still thrives in this new environment. I found myself with a newfound appreciation for all of them by the end, which I think just goes to show just how strong the writing here is. To take these mismatched characters that I liked well enough before and make me truly excited to see them again is a testament to the effort put into making this a truly impactful story.
The only member I came out the other not having a very different opinion on is Bucky, but that may just be because we’ve seen him so many times before this, so there’s not that much more to explore.
No one believed in Thunderbolts*, but with its damn strong team and tenacious heart, it proves itself to be a real one of a kind film in the Marvel universe.
Justice for Taskmaster ⚡️💀⚡️