Thunderbolts
THE GOOD: The best word to describe the film is
interesting; it did not play like other MCU films, and was not an ensemble goof-off like certain other MCU movies, but it was not a top-tier film in the franchise. The characters--with most almost marginalized in the over scheme of things--were an interesting selection, and I would hope any future appearances gives them more time to dig into more of the character other than the film plots they're known for. Perhaps the best moment of the piece was the breakdown, then building up of the Yelena / Shostakov relationship--of note, their honesty toward each other leading Yelena to refer to Shostakov as "dad" more often than not in the third act.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD: Quite obviously, the film was the "get together", yet its "dissimilar, bickering characters learning to play together" trope is as old as fiction, and certainly has predecessors in 21st century fantasy films, so I was watching the clock for the actual story motivator to get going. Where individual character development is concerned, as many have observed, the film comes off more as
Yelena and Her Friends than giving balanced time to other characters (despite being pleased with the Yelena / Shostakov scenes noted in "THE GOOD" section), especially one with a far larger MCU
footprint such as Bucky, who was shortchanged in this film, used more for his popularity to fans than any in-universe value. Someone might argue that Bucky had attention paid to him in other productions, but this was supposedly a team origin film, and aside from some one-off comments (read: criticisms) the group directed at each other,
Sentry's costume. Horrible with a terrible color scheme. Arguably the worst live action costume in a superhero production since the unforgivably awful Nuclear Man costume from the disastrous
Superman IV--
Speaking of Sentry, his power--sending victims into their own minds to relive painful life experiences--was leaning in the direction of
Star Trek V's Sybok--the difference being Sybok was attempting to release individuals from their buried pain, instead of tossing them into it for abusive purposes.
NOTES: As expected, Marvel Studios' teasing the Fantastic Four in the post-credits scene before the actual FF origin movie is released is reminiscent of the same strategy used with the end of
Infinity War as Fury signaled Captain Marvel--who would have her origin film released after that tease (and before her interaction in the then-current timeline).
I'm hoping there are no long-lasting repercussions to the conversation "not going well" between Bucky and Sam regarding the Avengers; of all friendships presented in the MCU, theirs felt the most
natural and honest in its development from negative competition to a serious friendship.
GRADE: C+. The film would have earned a "B", but the back-burner-ing of Bucky prevented that.
Like Wyatt Russell he looks like his dad, but not exactly.
