‘Thunderbolts’ Review: The Best Marvel Movie In A Long Time, With One Big Problem

Forbes - May 3rd, 2025

The release of 'Thunderbolts' has brought a refreshing spark to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), reminiscent of its earlier successes. Despite some flaws, the film has been praised for capturing what audiences desire better than many post-Endgame Marvel efforts. The film follows Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, as she navigates her role under the shadowy Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The movie features a blend of humor and action, with strong performances from the ensemble cast, including David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Sebastian Stan. The immediate impact has been a more positive reception compared to recent MCU works like 'Captain America: Brave New World,' though criticism arises from its rushed third act resolution.

Contextually, the MCU has struggled to maintain its earlier momentum, with many recent films and Disney+ series receiving mixed reviews. 'Thunderbolts' stands out by moving away from the overused multiverse concept that has bogged down some of its predecessors. Its significance lies in its potential to re-engage the MCU's audience by returning to a more straightforward, character-driven narrative. While the film's ending may feel too neatly tied up, it lays groundwork for future developments in the franchise's sixth phase, hinting at exciting possibilities for characters like Sentry. As the MCU seeks to revitalize its cinematic appeal, 'Thunderbolts' could mark a pivotal step toward reestablishing its cultural dominance.

Florence Pugh David Harbour Marvel Cinematic Universe Thunderbolts Phase 6 Mcu Yelena Belova Julia Louis Dreyfus Valentina Allegra De Fontaine Sebastian Stan

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging and well-structured review of 'Thunderbolts,' highlighting its strengths in character dynamics and humor while critiquing its pacing and narrative structure. It offers a personal perspective that resonates with existing fan discussions but lacks comprehensive sourcing and transparency regarding potential biases. The review's clarity and timeliness make it accessible and relevant to MCU enthusiasts, though its impact on broader public opinion is limited. Overall, the article serves as an informative piece for audiences interested in the film's place within the MCU.

Accuracy

The story presents several claims about the film 'Thunderbolts' and its place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It accurately describes the film's plot and character dynamics, aligning with other reviews in praising the performances of Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Sebastian Stan. However, specific claims about the film's pacing issues in the third act and its setup for Phase 6 of the MCU lack direct corroboration from other sources. While the review's assertion that the film avoids overused multiverse tropes is subjective, it aligns with its focus on grounded storytelling.

Balance

The article provides a personal perspective on the film, focusing on its strengths and weaknesses. While it acknowledges both positive and negative aspects, it leans towards a favorable view, particularly in character dynamics and humor. The critique of the third act's pacing issues and the film's setup for future MCU phases is balanced but lacks exploration of alternative viewpoints or broader industry context.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear structure and logical flow. It effectively conveys the author's opinions and observations about the film, using accessible language and a conversational tone. The use of specific examples from the film helps illustrate key points, making the review easy to understand for readers.

Source quality

The story appears to rely heavily on the author's personal opinion and experience with the film, without citing external sources or reviews to support its claims. This limits the depth of analysis and the ability to cross-reference with authoritative sources. While the author's insights are valuable, the lack of diverse source input reduces the overall credibility.

Transparency

The article is transparent about being a personal review, but it lacks explicit disclosure of the author's potential biases or conflicts of interest. There is no mention of whether the author received any incentives for reviewing the film or if they have any affiliations with the production. This omission affects the perceived impartiality of the review.