Thunderbolts*

 

            Marvel reboots their superhero franchise by recruiting many characters from their other films and TV shows to create a new dynamic for the next phase of their superhero collective.

            It's a terrific script by Eric Pearson and Johanna Calo, based on a story by Eric Pearson. It has plenty of action and humor and grounds its characters in a cohesive story that works much better than the last few Marvel films.

            The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost,  Julia louis-Dreyfus as Valentina de Fontaine, David Harbour as Alexei, and Lewis Pullman as Bob. The film also features Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Olga Kurylenko, and Wendell Pierce.

             The lead actors make excellent anti-heroes and a reluctant team. They have great chemistry together and appear to be really enjoying themselves. Ms. Pugh is clearly the lead with most of the attention placed on her character, Yelena. She is more than up to the task.

              Self-described characters without any true super powers (except maybe enhanced strength), they "punch and shoot" their way through the film without the need for excessive CGI. The special effects that are necessary blend seamlessly into the action. There are some serious psychological elements introduced in the film that provide background and insight but don't overwhelm the action and humor. The story successfully sets up the next phase of the Marvel universe and definitely explains the asterisk in the film's title.

               Stay for the mid-credit scene that is fun and a post credit scene that actually adds something to the story (although with a shameless plug).