This film brings together an anti-hero squad made up of Bucky Barnes, alias the winter soldier (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. Together, they must face a threat that will force them to confront their gray areas.
At first glance, the formula seems familiar.
An unlikely team of marginalized people sent on a perilous mission: a concept already explored by The guards of the galaxy or Suicide squadron At DC.
What is more, apart from Bucky – emblematic figure at Marvel since his beginnings – these characters remain relatively little known in the eyes of the general public.
And yet, this 36th chapter of the Marvel cinematic universe (UMC) deserves to dwell on it.
From the first scenes, the tone is given: the film takes a daringly different direction from what Marvel had accustomed us in recent years.
We discover a deeply disillusioned Yelena, who throws herself back into the void, almost by challenge towards herself.
An attitude that seems to reflect that of the studio: “Since we follow the false steps, why not try something radically new?”
Admittedly, the basic frame recalls that of other teams of heterogeneous vigilantes, but Thunderbolts manages to draw his own path.
He reconnects with the ingredients that made the best marvel opus success: colorful characters, dynamic action sequences and a subtle dosage between drama and lightness.
Here, there is no need to expect heroes worthy of the Avengers-and that is good, because they themselves do not aspire to this stature.
There is almost a satirical tone, a refreshing self -mockery that makes these marginalized all the more endearing.
We learn to appreciate them not for their greatness, but for their humanity.
Florence Pugh, in the role of Yelena, shines once again.
-She touches us, amuses us, and imposes a presence as lively as they are nuanced.
Her distribution is scathing, her subtle game, and she manages to give depth to a character often confined to the background.
The rest of the team is not to be outdone.
Bucky, now a politician uncomfortable in front of the media, finds all his ease when you have to take action.
Red Guardian, exuberant and clumsy, delivers several of the most hilarious moments in the film.
Even the more discreet members of the group manage to stand out, if only by a well-placed replica or a significant gesture.
And then there is Bob, embodied by Lewis Pullman.
An enigmatic character which we will reveal little, but who turns out to be crucial for the intrigue.
Pullman delivers a surprisingly just performance, mixing humor, candor and buried pain.
The film also benefits from a sustained pace, without unnecessary length. We are not bored for a moment.
He marks the conclusion of the fifth phase of the UMC, and we can only hope that the studio will be able to learn from this success.
Thunderbolts Operates a homecoming, the recipe that had made the first Marvel films renown: human stories under the spectacular varnish.
A nice surprise, in short.
Thunderbolts* is presented at the cinema.
In the credits
- Cote: 8/10
- Titre: Thunderbolts*
- Genre: Fantastic adventures
- Realization: Jake Schreier
- Distribution: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Arbour
- Duration: 2 h 07
