Thunderbolts Review: “Didn’t Strike Twice!”

 

Written by Yongma Lee

Seen at Cinemark Olympia on May 2, 2025; Movie Released on May 2, 2025

 

             The TV commercial claim that this movie is the greatest marvel film since Avengers: Endgame, I find this more of an exaggeration as I don’t feel the same synergy as Endgame. True, it has such popular moments. However, it lacks the same spark. When I heard that Marvel is doing the Thunderbolts movie, I thought they bring back Baron Zemo along with some of the new faces. However, that isn’t the case for the Marvel Cinematic universe as I felt that De Fontaine’s Thunderbolt lineup just broke canon. I wonder how the movie’s story will turn out after the disappointing performance from the previous film. I feel like these characters aren’t the Avengers I knew.

             Now that the sacred timeline is moot for Marvel’s Cinematic universe, what surprises will this movie brings? Here’s the big review I’ve been meaning to do.

Plot Spoilers

Shortly after the Events of Brave New World, Several antiheroes working for Contessa De Fontaine attempt to cover her tracks. They find themselves ensnared in a death trap, which force an unconventional team to embark on dangerous mission that will force them to confront their darkest pasts. That and as well as confronting the Contessa for her deception and uncovering the Sentry Project. What other secrets she’s hiding from the public?

Pros and cons of the film

             Although I was a bit disappointed from the concept, but it does felt like it has a strong opening. The movie did follow up from the events of Brave New World. It also made a major improvement from the previous film by adding some dry humor akin to Guardians of the Galaxy as well as the Black Widow Movie. I also like how the film has Red Guardian having an ego by forcibly inserting himself in means of a marketing campaign. There are some of his attempts such as Red Guardian Limousine, Calling the team the Thunderbolts, as well as creeping out a customer from a New Avengers cereal box. I actually find this very humorous. I also like the nice change in pace for Contessa De Fontaine from being a mastermind director for the CIA to being the owner of a company in an attempt to create a new hero that she thinks she can control. All of this leads up to her dubbing the Thunderbolts as the “New Avengers”. It’s not only they’re the loose ends connecting to the Contessa but that announcement signal her desperate means of saving her own hide but they won’t let her off that easy. I also like the post credit scene where they already showcase the Fantastic Four, which I plan to see in the summer.

             My only constructive criticism so far would be as it follows. For starters, false advertising when they first announce the video as they film crew already killed off Taskmaster early on the film. They already teased having Taskmaster as one of the Thunderbolts via poster. I also felt that the movie would have translated better if they give a bit more depth for Bob Reynolds before he’d undergo the Sentry Project. I also felt that that Thunderbolts film is also better off if they stick to the first gen cast instead of some of the villains from the past. It goes without saying that the film is nowhere near as spectacular as Avengers Endgame. It’s best to file a lawsuit because the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t big enough for two Avengers teams. The movie is rather likable but still heavily flawed. I wish the movie better executed yet the Fantastic Four Film would make up for it.

Final Thoughts

             To summarize, Thunderbolts is an interesting rebound in a deviated direction. However, It does present a bit of a suicide squad style Marvel Flick with Contessa De Fontaine being in deep water. I find the movie’s plot and the backstory for Sentry both disturbing yet sympathizing that the Thunderbolts have to save him from within his mind at the cost of his little amnesia to prevent Void from Resurfacing.

             I’ll give the movie 8.4 out of 10 stars. I’m looking forward to see how Superman and Fantastic Four perform in July.