After years of buildup, misdirection, and anticipation, Marvel finally brings this chaotic crew of anti-heroes together on screen—and Thunderbolts* does not hold back.
A volatile team of anti-heroes—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker—find themselves pulled into a deadly game orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Thrust into a mission they never asked for, these hardened operatives must face their darkest histories—and each other—if they want to make it out alive.
Can this fractured group overcome their pasts and become something greater… or will they tear themselves apart before it’s too late?
The Thunderbolts first appeared in comics in 1997, created by writer Kurt Busiek and artist Mark Bagley. Originally a team of villains posing as heroes, the story evolved into one of redemption. Many of the characters ended up embracing the heroic roles they were pretending to fill..
The film was released digitally on July 1st, and I finally got a chance to watch it. I missed it in theaters, so I went in fresh.
Overall, I enjoyed the film. It has humor, heart, action, and drama. The team dynamic is messy but compelling, and the movie knows how to use it.
That said, I had a few issues—ones I tend to have with most comic book movies.
First: the constant helmet removal. I get it, these are actors and studios want to show faces—but come on. John Walker barely keeps the helmet on. It’s frustrating, especially for comic fans who understand how important costume identity is. Ryan Reynolds gets it.
Second: the continued lack of credit for comic book creators. The people behind the source material deserve more prominent acknowledgment—at the very least at the beginning of the end credits, not buried near the bottom.
But I digress..
The digital release comes with several bonus features worth checking out:
Around the World and Back Again – A look at some of the real-world locations used in filming, plus a cool behind-the-scenes look at Florence Pugh’s base jump.
Assembling a Team to Remember – The cast and crew discuss each character and explore how every member of the team is a little bit broken inside.
All About Bob, Sentry & The Void – A breakdown of the Sentry’s character and role. However, I was disappointed they didn’t include creators Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee. Again, let’s respect the source.
Deleted Scenes – There are three. Honestly, none of them would’ve changed the story much.
Gag Reel – The usual bloopers and mess-ups. Some of them actually made me laugh.
Director Commentary – Watch the film with commentary and hear the director walk through the creative process. Always a favorite of mine.
Thunderbolts* is an entertaining ride. It’s flawed but fun, and I’m curious to see how the setup here plays into the larger MCU going forward.
Thunderbolts* is currently available on Digital, 4K UHD, Blu-Ray, and DVD.
If you’re interested in the comic book origins of the Thunderbolts, be sure to check out our video “Who Are The Thunderbolts?” — just click the following link.
Dan Kleiner 
Newsdesk