Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*Thunderbolts has undeniably established itself as a standout feature in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, largely due to ten astounding moments that captivated audiences. Initially, I had reservations about the film’s premise, which centers around a group of lesser-known characters like Ghost and Red Guardian. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how impactful Thunderbolts* turned out to be. It’s true that these characters, despite my fondness for them, do not possess the same star power as the Avengers, which made the film’s success all the more impressive.

With the positive reception surrounding Thunderbolts*, I’m optimistic that it will spark an effective word-of-mouth phenomenon. Coupled with Marvel Studios’ innovative marketing strategies for Thunderbolts*, I believe that this new iteration of the Avengers will finally get the recognition they rightfully deserve. It’s essential for everyone to experience the extraordinary moments showcased in this film firsthand.

10

The Epic Arrival of Sentry

The Thunderbolts Faced an Impossible Challenge

While I anticipated Sentry’s appearance in Thunderbolts*, his signature “S” belt buckle and various hints in the trailers left little doubt that Lewis Pullman’s character Bob would indeed be the comic book hero Bob Reynolds. However, I was not prepared for the breathtaking display of power that followed. As Sentry descended the staircase clad in his vivid blue-and-yellow costume, he unleashed an astonishing array of superpowers upon the Thunderbolts, swiftly overpowering them without causing any fatalities.

Although Sentry’s power demonstration was brief, it profoundly emphasized the implications of his entry into the MCU. The Thunderbolts, while they may not match the original Avengers in might, are far from weak. The fact that they couldn’t even land a blow on Sentry validated his claims of being a god. Additionally, I must express my admiration for his costume, although I anticipate he may don a different look when he reappears in future MCU projects.

9

The Void’s Transformation of Innocence into Darkness

The Situation Felt Utterly Hopeless

Following their defeat at the hands of Sentry, the Thunderbolts spring into action with classic, street-level heroism. As chaos erupts in Manhattan with the Void’s arrival, a touching scene unfolds where the Thunderbolts save individuals from falling debris and other dangers. The climax of this effort sees Red Guardian heroically shielding a young girl from a crashing concrete block. However, this courageous act is rendered futile when the girl is unexpectedly transformed into a shadow by the Void.

The shock of this moment lies in the age of the Void’s victim. At that moment, it wasn’t clear that the Void merely banished his victims to a “shame room” realm; it appeared as though he had outright murdered the most innocent of souls. This unsettling moment was intensified by the overwhelming hopelessness that the Thunderbolts faced, as there seemed to be nothing Red Guardian or any of them could do to thwart the Void’s merciless onslaught.

8

The Thunderbolts Face Off Against the Chicken Costume

The Scene Was Both Sudden and Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious

In the early scenes of Thunderbolts*, Bob shares an anecdote about his past, revealing that he once worked as a sign-spinner while dressed in a chicken costume during his struggle with drug addiction. This moment clearly haunted him, as these memories are featured in one of his shame rooms while the Thunderbolts attempt to rescue him from the Void’s torturous domain. The physical manifestations of memories turned hostile ultimately culminate in the shame room version of Bob, clad in the chicken costume, attacking the team.

This moment highlights Thunderbolts* ability to balance humor and pathos, culminating in a hilarious punch delivered by Bucky Barnes, which punctuates this bizarre encounter perfectly. Although this scene was featured in one Thunderbolts* trailer, predicting how it would unfold was challenging until the moment of impact. Ultimately, I’m pleased that this whimsical sequence made it into the final cut of the film.

7

Yelena’s “First Trial” in the Red Room

Yelena Confronts Her Past and the Pain of Betrayal

Yelena Belova is the first member to encounter the Void’s methodology after inadvertently coming into contact with Bob’s hand early in the film. This interaction transports her to the most traumatic memory of her past, which appears to be a mission from her time in the Red Room as she trained to become a Black Widow. This haunting memory involves her younger self luring her friend Anya into the woods, only for her to be brutally murdered by an adult man.

The ages of those involved amplify the shock of this scene. Yelena’s overwhelming guilt is understandable, but the most terrifying element is the older man who so readily commits murder against Anya, highlighting the severity of Yelena’s harrowing upbringing.

6

Bucky Barnes’ Spectacular Motorbike Entrance

Bucky Barnes Delivers an Epic Action Sequence

While Thunderbolts* may not be the most action-heavy installment in the MCU, the action scenes it does feature are nothing short of spectacular. This is perfectly exemplified by Bucky Barnes’ dramatic entrance while pursuing the Thunderbolts. In this sequence, Bucky arrives on a motorbike, wielding a high-tech shotgun, and swiftly dismantles the OXE Group’s armored vehicles that are also chasing the Thunderbolts. The highlight of this scene occurs when Bucky employs his vibranium arm to grasp a truck’s towline and topple it.

Although Bucky doesn’t receive as much screen time in Thunderbolts* as Yelena or Bob, this singular moment alone justifies his inclusion. It showcases why he is a fan-favorite within the MCU, despite often playing a supporting role. After successfully capturing all the Thunderbolts, including two other super soldiers, it becomes evident that he stands out as the most powerful member of the team.

5

The Abrupt Demise of Taskmaster

Taskmaster’s MCU Journey Concludes Unexpectedly

Despite appearing prominently in the marketing, the theories concerning Taskmaster’s fate in Thunderbolts* were quickly validated during the film’s first act. In a chaotic brawl featuring Yelena, John, Ava, and Antonia, Ghost swiftly establishes her prowess as one of the team’s most formidable members by successfully executing her mission and delivering a fatal shot to Taskmaster’s head. This brutal moment punctuated an otherwise entertaining fight, showcasing each combatant’s skills in a brilliantly choreographed manner.

Taskmaster’s death served to underscore the lack of plot armor surrounding the characters. What made this moment particularly shocking was how swiftly Taskmaster’s MCU career was concluded without ceremony. I must admit that I felt a twinge of sadness, as I had hoped Marvel would invest more time in the character, allowing for redemption after a controversial introduction in Black Widow. Instead, Ghost’s gunshot delivered a resounding message of “no” regarding that possibility.

4

Bob Uncovers His Astonishing Powers

The Sequence Was Visually Stunning

After the shocking death of Taskmaster, the Thunderbolts work together to escape the OXE Group compound, each member showcasing their unique abilities to progress through the chaos. Bob stands out as an anomaly in this scenario, as the team remains unaware of the immense power he possesses. In a desperate attempt to contribute, Bob fires a weapon to distract the OXE Group forces, inadvertently exposing himself to a barrage of bullets that leave him unscathed. Suddenly, his eyes begin to glow pale yellow, and he soars into the sky, breaking through the clouds.

The significance of this scene lies in how Thunderbolts* portrays the emergence of extraordinary superpowers in someone who is completely unaware of their capabilities. The striking image of Bob flying awkwardly into the sky, as if pulled by an invisible force, was particularly memorable, especially as his clumsy form broke through the cloud cover and into the night sky. I can’t recall any comparable moments in the MCU, and I appreciated how it foreshadowed the eventual arrival of Sentry (and the Void).

3

Bob’s Most Harrowing Shame Room

The Void’s Sinister Nature is Fully Revealed

After navigating through a series of Bob’s shame rooms, he ultimately leads the team to the most harrowing of them all. As they enter the Malaysian lab where Bob first gained his powers and unleashed the Void, Yelena recognizes the location, having previously destroyed it on a mission assigned by Val. This pivotal moment serves as the backdrop for the team’s final confrontation with the Void, who nearly succeeds in making Bob yield to his darker impulses by <strong provoking a violent outburst and cackling sinisterly as Bob unleashes a barrage of punches upon him.

The Void’s disturbing response to being beaten underscores just how formidable this entity is against raw strength alone, as evidenced by his unsettling white teeth and pinprick eyes gleaming from an otherwise featureless face while he laughed maniacally. This effectively justified the team’s ultimate strategy to quell the Void by liberating Bob from his negative emotions. While this confrontation may not have featured the action typically expected in MCU films, the chilling setting and heartwarming resolution made it feel uniquely refreshing.

2

Valentina Declares the New Avengers

The Thunderbolts Are Revealed as the New Avengers

After successfully subduing the Void within Bob’s psyche, the Thunderbolts reappear in the material world, having liberated New Yorkers from their shame room prisons. Upon spotting Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, they approach her to confront her, only to be unexpectedly drawn into a press conference where Val praises their heroic accomplishments. In this pivotal moment, Val reveals the meaning behind the conspicuous asterisk in the Thunderbolts* title by officially introducing them as the New Avengers.

This announcement may have confirmed various theories surrounding the asterisk leading up to Thunderbolts*, but it did not diminish the moment’s impact. Instead, it elevates the team’s status, retroactively identifying MCU Phase 4 as the only phase lacking an Avengers film, while also addressing one of the primary critiques of the Multiverse Saga regarding the absence of Avengers movies. Admittedly, the subsequent credits underscore that this team is not as glamorous or popular as its predecessors, yet I believe it stands as one of the most thrilling surprise reveals in the MCU.

1

The Groundbreaking Post-Credits Scene

The Fantastic Four Make Their Grand Entrance into the MCU

Thunderbolts* solidified its significance with one of the most impactful post-credits scenes in recent MCU history. After a 14-month time jump, the New Avengers are depicted operating within the historic Avengers Tower, where they disclose that Sam Wilson is actively copyrighting the Avengers name, hinting at potential friction between the two Avengers factions. As this unfolds, Yelena becomes aware of an extradimensional anomaly entering Earth’s orbit, which is ultimately revealed to be the Fantastic Four’s spaceship.

This revelation immediately connects Thunderbolts* to two of the MCU’s most anticipated upcoming films: The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday. The sequence represents the first official sighting of the Fantastic Four in the MCU (assuming they are indeed aboard the ship), heralding one of the most thrilling new additions to the franchise, while simultaneously confirming a new Avengers team. This moment also sparked a flurry of speculation about the upcoming films, as it seemingly indicates that the Fantastic Four will be fleeing their universe to merge into the mainline MCU’s Earth-616.

Thunderbolts*

8/10

Release Date

May 2, 2025

Runtime

126 Minutes

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo

Upcoming MCU Movies

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