Even though I’ve never been down on the MCU of late, I still feel good in saying that the MCU is back (baby). If Marvel can take another C list team and turn in a solid, exciting, and funny entry in the franchise, then surely they’ve found themselves again.

Thunderbolts* unites a number of B and C listers into one antihero team. Yelena, Red Guardian, Ghost, US Agent, Bucky, and Bob (!?) are brought together in a plot that has Val (Julia Louise-Dreyfuss) cleaning up her past by ridding herself of loose ends. Those loose ends don’t agree with her plan and team up to fight back.

This is a very good film with solid dialog, jokes, and action with a great set of characters, most of whom get enough screentime to shine. That said, it feels more like Black Widow 2 with more focus on Yelena (and Red Guardian). And I’m fine with that since I have the same level of adoration for Florence Pugh as much of the internet. She’s funny and warm while also in a dark place… which is a slight problem since she seemed ok at the end of Black Widow and the Hawkeye tv show. But her tone feeds the theme so I’ll go with it.

Which brings me to the villain. I liked the character and especially his multiple layers (love the shadows!). The only problem is that, unlike the other characters, we don’t have any history with him and the film would have been stronger with more screentime. It would have leveled up our emotional attachment to his twists and turns.

The final act is steeped in the power of self-respect, friendship, and empathy more than it is rock ’em sock ’em action. That makes it very different than the films of franchise past. I liked the choice even if it felt a little to introspective for a superhero film. I could see its direction, I was just expecting something different from an anti-hero team.

The final sting that explains the * in the title is great… but not as great as the knowing headlines in the closing credits. And the end credit scene is a total winner, establishing the hazy new order of heroes before setting up a solid sneak at the next film(s). It left me looking forward to the future.

Thunderbolts is a really good film which uses its also-ran characters extremely well. Funny, warm, and with a different kind of final act. It’s a great establishing film for what feels like the MCU’s latest attempt at getting things back on track.

Score: 86