REVIEW: THUNDERBOLTS*

****/5

The Losers

126 Mins. Starring: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen & Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Screenplay: Eric Pearson & Joanna Calo. Director: Jake Schreier. In: Theatres.

'Thunderbolts*' are go! And never fear, you're going to find out what that asterisk means* (they're just really big fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers). The Marvel misfits that feel like the M.C.U's answer to 'The Suicide Squad' are here, right before new DC head honcho James Gunn's 'Superman' goes against the 'First Steps' of 'The Fantastic Four' for a Summer to remember. One with Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' getting in on the action, once again, and maybe for 'The Final Reckoning'. Yet here's Kevin Feige's daredevil project following the Disney + show of the man without fear, 'Born Again'. And the success is doubled-up across the streams, as one of the highest rated Marvel movies in years is also one of their freshest and best. With thrills and spills, you'll laugh (as per, of course) and even cry at a scrappy crew complete with heart and the best soundtrack you could blast out of your bulletproof-ish limo from these anti-heroes for hire. Ginuwine's 'Pony' has been one of my favourite songs since 1996. You can just picture my parents shuddering as I played it from my room as an eleven-year-old, thinking it was about one man and his horse...it kind of is.

Following Anthony Mackie's big-screen debut as Sam Wilson's 'Captain America' in a 'Brave New World' to begin the year, don't expect Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross to cameo and lead these bold new warriors into battle with avengance. Although this is a mostly comic-accurate affair, they're named after something else, not the hulking President. Don't get red in the face, Harrison. Although, we do actually like it when you get angry. Instead, this team is shanghaied into service by none other than 'Seinfeld's' Elaine, with not a square to spare. The 'Veep' vice Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays all sides perfectly after her Marvel Television debut. Flanked by a scene-stealing 'Drive-Away Dolls' (one of last year's best, and with an actual different name like 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier') star Geraldine Viswanathan, and taking heat off of 'The Wire' legend Wendell Pierce, who we hope to see more of in the M.C.U. (ditto, Chris Bauer). The whole gang of chairs from 'Doomsday' took theirs, to watch this movie in-between filming the new 'Avengers' movie. And even the Oscar winning Robert Downey Jr. knows he has a tough act to follow on a release date that, not only gives us his Doctor Doom debut an exact calendar after, but also marks the 17-year anniversary of when his 'Iron Man' solo movie changed the superhero game in the same summer as 'The Dark Knight'.

Outstanding in Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', that movie took a minute to come out here in Japan, for obvious reasons. Especially after the fallout of the commercial controversy with 'Barbie'. Moviegoers here in Japan will also be unsettled by images here, inspired (poor choice of words) by the shadows of Hiroshima. Haunting, yes. Tasteless, I don’t think so. There's no ill intent here, but it could have gone without saying. Yet, Marvel has always used its property to make points and mirror the real-world it reflects between all the super-charged people and powers. And this one deals with dark themes of depression, drink and death, along with other disorders. Jake Schreier's ('Robot & Frank', 'Paper Towns') searing and raw movie (with respect), scripted by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, feels like an indie A24 gem inside a Disney blockbuster. Assembling heroes or villains from Marvel movies like 'Black Widow' (Florence Pugh, Olga Kurylenko and David Harbour on hilarious form), 'The Falcon & The Winter Soldier' (Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell) and 'Ant-Man & The Wasp' (Hannah John-Kamen, really coming into her own). And then there's Bob.

Is this a running joke with 'Top Gun: Maverick', where stealthy hiding in plain sight he was also called Bob? That hit Tom Cruise sequel already giving us The Falcon (Danny Ramirez), Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) and the one and only, Glen Powell. There's always been something about Lewis Pullman though, ever since starring alongside the God of Thunder, Chris Hemsworth himself, in those 'Bad Times At The El Royale'. There's no nepotism here for Bill Pullman's son, though. Neither is there for Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn's own Wyatt (named after a 'Tombstone' character, rest peacefully to the only Doc Holliday and Iceman, Val Kilmer). Here he plays, Robert (not Ryan) Reynolds, and breaks balls instead of fourth walls. If you already know, you already know, but we'll save the amazing reveal for in theatres, but it makes for one of the best throw downs in Avengers tower since The Hulk versus a "Puny God," (and we had Captain America v America's Ass). You better put that metal arm back in the dishwasher. All these so-called "Losers" (word to yet another Chris Evans comic-book movie) all deserve their place on the Wheaties box and classic magazine cover closing credits, but it's the powerhouse of Pugh and the congressman who previously played Trump, going full Terminator, that really deserve your vote, pulling no punches. This thunderbolt of lightning strikes! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

*You're still here (Deadpool voice)!? Like we'd actually give it away. 

Further Filming: 'Black Widow', 'The Falcon & The Winter Soldier', 'The Suicide Squad'.