Thunderbolts*

To my shock, Thunderbolts* is the best thing Marvel has put out in ages -- a well-acted piece of popcorn entertainment that balances zippy humor with actual depth. Is it a cinematic masterpiece? No. Will it restore your faith in the franchise? Maybe yes.

Thunderbolts is a taut thriller sprinkled with wry humour and packs grounded emotional resonance. The latter is a surprise for a film that’s sold as a romp, which it still is, but it is as focused on its characters as it is on explosions

Credit the script for its thoughtful character development and getting deeper just when most will think it never will.

It's silly but still heartening, this idea that by saving each other, we might also be able to save ourselves.

Even amid such familiar mayhem, Schreier finds fresh, vivid angles. The action is clear and coherent; the character dynamics strike the right balance of earnest sincerity and glib humor.

The movie features not only some of the best actors in the MCU, but some of the funniest.

I enjoyed the not-so-perfect adventure, the petty sniping that bubbled from that deep well of resentment, the sense that for every move, there was an unseen Sword of Damocles waiting to end everything. And Bob. You can’t not like Bob.

Is it possible after 36 films to do something new in the MCU? How about an hilarious and action-packed deep dive into depression, loneliness, self-worth, mental health, and overcoming the darkness buried within our souls?

Thunderbolts is a reminder of what made Marvel great to begin with—spotlighting lesser-known heroes and making you love them.

Putting character over spectacle helps Thunderbolts* achieve its goals nicely while never quite reaching for anything greater. But sometimes that’s enough.