The fact that the MCU regular regulars are mostly absent only reinforces the change in direction. Florence Pugh as family member Yelena tries her best to carry the film and it’s great to see a not-so-perfect woman be the heart and soul of the work. Comic interludes also play a large role in establishing the newish feel.

The big evil this time is a bit hard to categorise and the two characters actor Lewis Pullman plays, Robert Reynolds or Bob and Sentry are two distinct personalities and couldn’t be more different. Sentry’s internal darkness is shown by actual darkness and is pleasantly creepy. David Harbour as the blunt tool Red Guardian is played mostly for laughs but also provides some nice family moments.

Other than the crazy credit scene at the very end that makes Thunderbolts* feel a bit like a two-hour trailer for the upcoming Marvel release The Fantastic Four: First Steps, this work is a step in a satisfying direction. There are many valid characters in the Marvel Universe to be discovered on screen and it’s time to showcase the lesser known ones. Especially the relatable female ones.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ/

The film also returns to the screen Marvel Cinematic Universe characters Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), in addition to some exciting new faces.

Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*” with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez and Scarlett Johansson serve as executive producers.

Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” opens in Australian cinemas May 1, 2025.
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ/