NFL
By Keith Richards
***SPOILER-FREE REVIEW***
The Thunderbolts* are here! Marvel’s Phase Five (The Multiverse Saga) is closing its curtain. The release of the Thunderbolts* marks the end of the Phase Five movie releases. It is also the second-to-last release of the saga. Ironheart will be the last Phase Five release in a little over six weeks. However, Thunderbolts* is why we’re here today.
The New A…Thunderbolts* is the highest-rated Phase Five movie on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s currently rated Certified Fresh with reviewers and Certified Hot with the audience. The 87% Certified Fresh is the highest-rated movie of the Multiverse Saga. It’s a 94% Certified Hot rating, tying it with Deadpool & Wolverine and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 as the highest rating from viewers. However, what do I think?
I think Thunderbolts’ ratings are justified. The movie has received mostly favorable reviews, making it arguably the best movie release of the Multiverse Saga. I say arguably because I’m not sure I’m ready to say it’s better than Deadpool & Wolverine. Even so, after just one viewing, Thunderbolts* is good enough to make me seriously question if the indestructible bromance is better.
Not long ago, I wrote that I believed Thunderbolts* could be the new Guardians of the Galaxy. While I still think it takes up that mantle, it’s not the same movie. Indeed, the Thunderbolts* are everyone’s new favorite anti-heroes. Likewise, Yelena, Bucky, and the gang fill the void of lovable losers. Still, it’s not the same feeling as Guardians of the Galaxy.
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise often felt like a comedy with action and superhero themes. Conversely, Thunderbolts* feels more like a superhero action movie with comedic themes. That’s not to say it’s not a funny movie, because it is. It just does not rely on comedy as its central theme. Consequently, it opens the story up to fit more serious plot points, making it more flexible. So, to reiterate, while I believe Thunderbolts* fills the anti-hero space, it also makes the space its own.
What makes Thunderbolts* unique is the attention to detail it lends to each character. Even though Yelena Belova is arguably the main character, the other characters do not feel ignored. Sometimes, some characters can get left out when you have a big cast. You don’t think that with this movie.
Bucky has his moments. Alexei Shostakov (The Red Guardian) shines. John Walker’s complicated life receives proper attention. Ava Starr is not overshadowed either. However, the movie’s breakout character is the new guy: Robert Reynolds/Sentry/Void. If there is one character you walk away from the movie wanting to know more about, it’s Bob.
As this is a spoiler-free review, I will not discuss Bob’s story, but it is one that sticks with you. Bob is the coup de grâce of Thunderbolts*. Hence, the story of Thunderbolts* likely does not fully form without him. Sentry is the element of the story that puts it over the top. If you’re not familiar with the canon, which I was not in this case, the story of Bob takes you by surprise and leaves a mark on you.
Again, I’m doing my best to make this spoiler-free review. However, I think I can safely say this: I do not believe it’s a coincidence that Thunderbolts* was released during Mental Health Awareness Month. That goes back to my belief in the movie’s flexibility. When you think about introductory Marvel movies, you wouldn’t call them serious movies. There are a few that flirt with being serious movies, but none of them cross over fully. Thunderbolts* is a serious movie, which is fine. Not only is it fine, but it’s also what makes the movie so good!
If Thunderbolts*’s goal was to leave you wanting more, it was a gigantic success. Additionally, if the goal was to set up the movies of Phase Six, it was also a success there. Phase Six will not see as many releases as its predecessors. So, the MCU writers and producers face a difficult task. They must toe the fine line between including enough story elements to keep the projects connected and not including so much story that it gets confusing.
With the MCU’s renewed focus on quality, Thunderbolts* is a fantastic close to a saga and a launching point to open a new one. It’s a movie you’ll want to watch repeatedly to relive your favorite moments. What did you think of the film? Particularly, what did you think of the ending? How will that fit with the movies released in the next couple of years? Let us know! In addition, check out the other entertainment content with Team NBS!
