Mild Version of The Avengers (2012)

RATING – ⭐ ⭐ ✨ 2.5/5*

Thunderbolts Review Movie Talkies:

The Avengers have bowed out, and the Thunderbolts step in. The film has leaned heavily into this tagline, so it hardly needs reiteration here. Still, it’s fair to say the movie tries to build a new ensemble using familiar concepts—some of which work, while others fall short. The story follows a group of underdogs uniting to become a team. The narrative leans more into their emotional and moral defeats, but as long as the resolution lands, that’s forgivable. Sounds a bit corny? Perhaps. But rest assured, Thunderbolts isn’t outright dull. If you can handle some outdated melodrama and a mediocre antagonist, then this film may just be worth your time.

Thunderbolts Story:

CIA Director Valentina de Fontaine dispatches Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) on what turns out to be a suicide mission—meant to eliminate them and bury her wrongdoings. They survive the ambush, though Taskmaster is killed by Ghost, and a mysterious figure named Bob (Lewis Pullman) enters the picture. Thanks to Bob, the group escapes. They are later joined by Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) and eventually Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and the newly formed Thunderbolts decide to take down Valentina. Their journey leads them to the revelation that Bob has been transformed into the superhuman entity known as the Sentry. In their confrontation with him, they are swiftly defeated. The question remains: can they save Bob and defeat what he’s become?

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Eric Pearson’s script may not be among the MCU‘s finest in recent years, but it holds enough weight to keep the audience engaged. Those familiar with other superhero arcs, especially fans of the X-Men, will find the beats predictable—Thunderbolts treads similar territory. The MCU‘s new phase isn’t particularly grand or groundbreaking, but it offers enough firepower to satisfy fans of the individual characters. While the film may feel like a lighter, less polished version of The Avengers, a bit of patience pays off. The climax emphasizes psychological tension over big-budget action, which leaves the viewer both intrigued and a little underwhelmed.

Thunderbolts Cast:

Florence Pugh delivers a good performance in the lead, although Marvel‘s insistence on strong accents undermines the emotional impact of her voicework. Sebastian Stan brings a subdued energy to Bucky Barnes, which might disappoint some fans. Wyatt Russell struggles to gain favor among those loyal to Chris Evans’ Captain America—an expected comparison that does him no favors. On the other hand, Lewis Pullman is a delightful surprise, shifting from the Earth’s mightiest to its most timid with remarkable range. Olga Kurylenko and Geraldine Viswanathan are competent in their roles; David Harbour is loud yet entertaining; Hannah John-Kamen fits Ghost well; and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Valentina is part sinister, part powerless—her character caught in a mismatch against the supers.

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Thunderbolts Movie Review:

The movie kicks off with a standout action sequence where the four leads—complete strangers—clash in a confined space. It’s chaotic, with shifting alliances: one fights two, three attacks one, four goes after three. It’s a messy but enjoyable spectacle, elevated by crisp cinematography and a decent score. The visual effects are serviceable but confined to select moments, which is a letdown. Still, those select scenes shine. There’s enough action, though not an abundance; enough drama, if not consistently compelling; enough destruction, though not on a massive scale; and enough entertainment to keep things moving. That’s Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts in a nutshell: a modest beginning with room to grow. Yet, something feels absent—a signature element, a memorable emotional anchor, or a show-stopping set piece. The Sentry’s power surpasses even Thanos, which is astonishing, but the film dilutes his potential impact. Had they leaned into that, Schreier might have delivered a stronger film. Still, Thunderbolts is decent, one-time watch—especially if you’re curious about the direction the MCU is heading. And yes, there’s a surprise waiting at the end.

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