MOVIE REVIEW: We discover if darkness prevails with 'MCU' anti-heroes 'Thunderbolts*'
The Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU) embraces its dark side with a team-up of the titular anti-heroes.
The unconventional and troubled group are forced to embark on a dangerous mission against an all-powerful enemy who threatens the entire planet.
Perhaps reflecting its rockier road over the past few years, a few lesser known directors have been taking on MCU flicks and this time it's Jake Schreier ( Paper Towns, Robot & Frank) who finds his name up in lights.
He proves a steady and sturdy hand for a film that ends up being much more than the Marvel take on Suicide Squad a lot of us were expecting.
Other than Florence Pugh ( Yelena) and Sebastian Stan ( Bucky) the cast lacks big name big screen star power but this helps the ensemble to create a realistic bond amid horrible histories that weigh on all of their minds.
I loved how mental health was the overriding theme, even with the main villain, and Schreier makes use of literal and figurative darkness to ram this home; the thoroughly desaturated colours are a long way from the usual MCU day-glow palette.
Much of the excellent musical score by Son Lux seems to sample Pixies' 1988 hit Where Is My Mind?, which is a very appropriate choice given the subject matter.
Pugh is at the flick's core; the Oxford-born star manifests sadness, pain, rage and heroism aplenty.
Humour comes from David Harbour ( Alexei), Wyatt Russell ( John) builds on his Falcon and the Winter Soldier role and Lewis Pullman ( Bob) is a sheepish, puzzled revelation.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus ( Valentina) isn't quite as nasty as she could be, and her character and motivations feel lifted from TV's The Boys.
The film takes a while to get going too, with the team trapped underground for much of the first third.
Darkness prevails overall, however, as Thunderbolts* cleverly uses human emotions and psychological issues to grand effect while setting up a terrific, turbulent team to create MCU magic.
● What are your favourite Marvel movies? Do you prefer flicks from Marvel or DC?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Thunderbolts* is showing in cinemas now.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
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