Plot: What’s it about?
It’s been said that it’s better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. I’m alluding to the fact that in the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the “MCU” from here on out), it seemed that every single movie that came out made a billion dollars, gained more fans and brought us one step closer to the end game (both literally and figuratively). Those days are gone. But you can bet your bottom dollar that the folks at Disney are trying anything and everything they can to bring ’em back. The problem was, and still is, the “superhero” genre is nearly played out. Disney has also expanded into television shows, some of which tie into the feature-length films and others don’t (She-Hulk, anyone?). But Thunderbolts* attempts to change that by assembling (pun fully intended) a group of heroes, most of whom we’ve seen before, into a new group of Avengers, hence the asterisk after the film’s title (and everywhere in this review).
We find a group of Marvel misfits with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), her father Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker “aka” Captain America (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), someone who we previously saw in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together they join forces with Bucky Barns (Sebastian Stan), who should need no introduction, and Director of the CIA Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). The group has been targeted for elimination by the latter who’s facing impeachment for rumored participation in an unauthorized “project.” The only way to defeat her is with Bob (Lewis Pullman), the only successful outcome from the project. Given that the characters don’t have any real superpowers (think Watchmen), all they do is “punch and shoot.” So we’ve got a ragtag group of pseudo superheroes that are trying to take down one of the most powerful people in the country. Good luck.
The thing this film has going for it is that it can somewhat stand on its own while paving the way for (hopefully) a new phase in the MCU. As of this writing, the last entry in said universe was Captain America: Brave New World. The less said about that – the better. Add to that, the plethora of humor in the film and there is something there. Something that I haven’t seen in a while. And I’m always a sucker for films that don’t take themselves too seriously. David Harbour’s Red Guardian somewhat steals the show with his over-the-top portrayal of the “hero.” Also missing is the perfectly choreographed fight sequences we might see in a Spider-Man or Avengers film. Not that they don’t sometimes deliver, but it’s refreshing to see a different take on a fight scene. The film was critically-praised and grossed enough money (though it still pales in comparison to MCU films of the past) that we’ll likely see something come from it. If not, it was nice to at least see something different – which is always a good thing.
Video: How’s it look?
I’ve been reviewing movies on just about every disc-format known (except LaserDisc) for over two decades. On occasion I just sit there and look at my screen and think “is there something I can say that I haven’t said before?” Odds are the answer to that is “No.” There are only so many adjectives one can use to describe how good, bad or mediocre a film can look on any given setup. All that said, Thunderbolts* represents the latest entry in the MCU and as I think anyone reading this will attest, it looks flat out amazin. This is a step up from the digital offering I’d recently covered, offering a bit more color depth, range and detail. Not that the digital version was “bad” by any means, but if you’re looking for the best there is – look no further.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The audiophiles out there are licking their chops for this one, I’m sure. It’s been said (factually, I might add) that some of the Disney/Marvel titles have had some lackluster Dolby Atmos soundtracks with them being quieter or levels not up to par, etc. I don’t know about you, but when I watch a movie, I sit in the middle of my living room and just enjoy the ambiance. I found no such troubles with Thunderbolts*, rather I somewhat dug the soundtrack and found vocals sharp and crisp. The latter part of the film delivers more action as the heroes truly emerge. This engages the surround sound, both up and down (depending on where your speakers are) and makes for a great listening experience. I see no reason that this track won’t wholeheartedly satisfy its viewer.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Audio Commentary – Director Jake Schreier offers up a pretty decent track that tells us all we need to know about the cast, the shoot and of course – living up to the high bar the MCU has set over the past decade and a half.
- Deleted Scenes – Given the length of the film (just over two hours), I can see why these were cut and we’ve only got two. But ’tis better to have, than have not.
- Door is Unliftable
- Gary Announcement
- Assembling a Team – We spend a bit of quality time with the cast and crew as they divulge how the film’s fictional team of super-powered mavericks, misfits and antiheroes was assembled.
- Around the World and Back Again – Some of the eclectic locations and astounding production design that helped make a rousing reality are explored, including a visit to the sprawling sets in Kuala Lumpur where we join Florence Pugh performing stunts atop one of planet Earth’s tallest buildings and blowing up buildings on the streets.
- All About Bob, Sentry & The Void – We get a look at the making of three different characters: Bob, Sentry, and The Void – all performed by Lewis Pullman.
- Gag Reel – Shenanigans on set with the cast of crew of Thunderbolts*.
The Bottom Line
Thunderbolts* isn’t exactly the same caliber of film that the MCU movies of the early 2010’s were, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. We know most of the characters from other MCU films, but this “new Avengers” group seems to have their own flair. Top notch audio and video along with a decent selection of supplements make this one a good watch.
