Mental health theme breathes new life in Marvel Cinematic Universe
THUNDERBOLTS* is a strong outing from Marvel Studios, whose last few big screen efforts were, for lack of a better term, hit-or-miss. It’s solid screenplay and exciting action sequences, coupled with themes of mental health, trauma, and redemption, all come together to create a narrative that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of its audience – all while giving them the blockbuster popcorn fare that is the Marvel standard.
Set after the events of CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, the film sees Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in front of a congressional committee facing imminent impeachment from her role as CIA director due to her involvement with O.X.E. Group. To try and cover her tracks, she deploys Yelena Belova (played by Florence Pugh) on various missions to destroy any evidence linking Valentina with O.X.E. But when Yelena is sent on one final mission to a covert O.X.E. facility, she discovers that she’s also a loose end that Valentina needs to dispose of.
Part of the strength of this film is the natural chemistry amongst the cast. When Yelena arrives at the O.X.E. facility, she encounters John Walker/U.S. Agent (played by Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr/Ghost (played by Hannah John-Kamen), Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster (played by Olga Kurylenko), and Bob (played by Lewis Pullman). All of these actors play off of each well, which gives likeability to them despite the fact that they are all technically villains. The screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo makes sure to give each member of this soon-to-be ragtag group of “heroes” their own distinct styles and personalities, with each getting their own shining moment at some point throughout the film. Once Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (played by David Harbour) and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (played by Sebastian Stan) come into the picture, the charisma increases tenfold!
The film’s most fascinating aspect is that of the character of Bob. At first, he sticks out like a sore thumb, as he seemingly is the only member of the group without any sort of powers or abilities, just an inability to remember how he got into that facility. But it becomes obvious as the film progresses that there’s definitely more to Bob than meets the eye. Yelena befriends him, where she discovers that Bob is actually pretty damaged on the inside, which plays into an incredible sequence during the film’s climax. But ultimately, the way that the film handles Bob’s past and inner demons becomes an exploration of mental health and the emotional toll it can take on the person and the people around them.
While this is the overarching theme of the film, there are also explorations of trauma (through the pasts of not only Bob but the rest of the Thunderbolts) and redemption. As mentioned above, each member of the Thunderbolts is/was a villain in a previous MCU film or series. By bringing them together as unlikely heroes, the film makes the statement that anyone can be a hero, no matter your past. The Thunderbolts use their past actions and traumas to bond and become the team that no one expected them to be, which also aids them when things with Bob go a bit haywire near the film’s end.
With a running time of 126 minutes, THUNDERBOLTS* is a relatively easy sit-through with minimal lulls in the story and action. The chemistry amongst the ensemble makes the events unfolding onscreen that much more engaging and enjoyable, culminating in an ending sequence just as heartfelt and emotional as anything Marvel has ever produced. While this film may not reinvigorate the already-convoluted MCU for most of its viewers, THUNDERBOLTS* provides just enough to leave you wanting more, and with the Fantastic Four just around the corner, things are about to get very interesting in Marvel-Land.
Score: 4 cups of Joe/5
