Everything Great About Thunderbolts*!

[00:05] like the old one with the flipping comics. All right, come back around, I straightup void style opening credit, even muting the fanfare. [Music] >> There's something wrong with me, an

[00:23] >> This movie wears its theme on its sleeve, and I'm into it. Love a movie everything to everyone. >> Just a void. >> The casual step off on void. Again, fun

[00:36] the MCA 118, the second tallest building in the world. For obvious reasons, Florence really pushed for it because she loves heights. And what a way to open this movie. >> Or maybe I'm just bored.

[00:49] >> And her expression and comfy sweats all play into her vibe. Perfect editing for that line. Two minutes in, after a crazy stunt, now we get a long take top down fight scene with these extra long shadows and Elena crushing skulls. Or

[01:01] should we be calling them extra long voids? We should. >> But I'm not focused and I'm not happy and I don't have purpose and without purpose, I'm just drifting like a river.

[01:15] >> Again, the editing of timing the shots to the end of her line about purposes. look remotely schlubby because of her onwe and depression, but they tried and that's what counts. It's a guinea pig. Get it? Because Bob was also a guinea

[01:29] pig. And Elena saves you good. >> Stop right there. >> Hi. >> That haha is your sign to immediately drop the gun and run away. No one that comfortable is worth messing with.

[01:42] >> She thinks >> seemingly unrelated cold open is Real comic fans got that one. >> Okay, assignment is Oh, wait. Hang on.

[01:57] >> She's still so bored. Also, fantastic practical explosion shot on location in Koala Lumpur. Crowd and all. >> Rumors of wrongdoing are um very worrying worrying worrying issue. >> Footage of me live. Beautiful people

[02:11] I right, Buck? >> Oh, Miss Fontaine. No, it's defontaine. >> Dang. Do we all miss VEP? Back when political parody made sense. After the last decade in the US, President Meyer sounds pretty chill. Julia Lou Drifus is

[02:26] >> The Avengers are not walking through that door. We have no reliable heroes. ever Avengers adjacent. >> The level I click leave on porch.

[02:39] because I'm a shut in. It's a courtesy to the delivery person so they don't have to wait for me. Also, human interaction is scary for them, I assume. Nope. Lacking articles even in his logo. Pretty decent business model, though.

[02:54] >> Hi, Dad. >> A I like that she still calls him that. catching up. >> My limo business. You would not believe the important people I meet driving. >> Saving the day later round shadowing.

[03:08] >> So you you feel fulfilled? Oh yeah. >> Yeah. So full. So filled. >> A+ line and delivery. I've already said it a handful of times since seeing this. >> Isn't this technically Baltimore? >> No. Baltimore start next block over.

[03:21] if you're from the area, but I assume it's like saying you're from the city when your address is Hoboken. >> I would burn the city to the ground to >> What? Who just said you were fulfilled? >> Lena, I was lying. Look around you. I'm

[03:33] >> Honesty. >> Perhaps it is time that you followed in >> Perhaps it is time that you followed in her path. moving forward, but this is the second half of the light inside you is dim with

[03:46] Alex's heartfelt honesty and it just hints at jabbing me in the fields. >> Yeah, maybe something more public facing. advice to him, but then immediately takes it. Very father-daughter thing to

[03:59] >> Once you assess what's being stolen, you have the go-ahad to terminate on site. It's simple, really. It's just one little target and you're done. You know the audience is being telegraphed something that the characters can't

[04:12] mission, the way it's shot, even the way Elena is framed screams trap, and it just adds to the tension. If you're a habitual comic Marvel fan, Sentry and wasn't that much of a surprise. But if you avoided it all like I always do, my

[04:26] goodness, is this moment a real no way moment. And the logo is close, but not might throw you off. Incredible comedic absolutely wamps Walker across the room.

[04:38] from a comic book in the best possible way. All these different characters different abilities. Are they going to fight? Are they going to get along? Will Who's to say? Read on. Ghost's power always feels like cheating, but who's

[04:52] teamwork. I mean, not really yet. Teamwork shadowing. Either way, this is what we want from fun action movies, giving us a glimpse of how strong Walker pretty dang hard. Anelina still has to

[05:04] use all her strength to stop him from stabbing her. knows their moves before they do it. Hence blocking bullets from point blank

[05:16] range. And if things were to go on a little longer for her rap Taskmaster, I anticipate ghosts phasing. But that's brutal and was unexpected if you were trailers. She's on the cover of a Blu-ray, so I think I audibly gasped.

[05:31] Oh, >> is he actually Oh, >> he was puking because he saw someone get shot in the head. Perfect intro for Bob. >> He is >> Bob. No, you'll call sign.

[05:45] Bob. >> Maybe you know Wendell Pierce as Perry White and Superman or maybe as James Greer from Jack Ryan, but the real ones Hackers. >> I'm not stealing, she's stealing.

[05:58] Elena figures it out pretty quickly. >> Pretty ludicrous coming from the dime >> I'll have you know I was actually the official Captain America. So is the perfect US agent >> before you publicly murdered an innocent

[06:12] >> Really define innocent. >> Uh unarmed and surrendering. Also were mad about. But yeah, he would respond like that. you guys hear that? >> Never change. up. That death look to

[06:27] Selena, but you can't take the Selena out of the Julia. Absolute national >> Torch it all. Um, are are you sure? >> I appreciate that Mel is likable from the start. Bare minimum, she has a

[06:40] >> Okay, it's an incinerator. >> Oh boy, that is no way to go. How would >> It's hard to admit when you're wrong. Good for you, Walker. Don't care. >> Elena not giving a crap will never not

[06:53] be entertaining. I can avoid this >> on your left. little glimpse at their different styles of problem solving as a non-team. >> I should have seen this coming. >> Correct. To be fair, there's no

[07:07] It only benefits her escape if they're dead and they're not a team yet. >> No, >> the Vulcan one. Walker knows the Vulcan nerve pinch. >> You said you're Captain America.

[07:19] Why are you laughing? >> Just cuz you're an So true. Especially coming from Bob. Yike. >> That darkness gets pretty enticing and then it starts to feel a little bit like um

[07:33] a void. >> Yep. A void. there's something to be said for seeing your own issues mirrored back to you in encouragement coming so easily. If only we could talk to ourselves the way we

[07:46] >> What do you do about it? >> You shove it way down. You just push it >> It's fantastic that she knows it's terrible advice even though it's exactly what she does. Relatable sleeper agent super soldiers. They're just like us.

[08:01] about vibranium appendages. >> We can protect you. freshman congressman who hasn't gotten a bill passed? Or the winter soldier? >> Dang. Roasted for both your LinkedIn and Call of Duty profiles at the same time.

[08:15] sounds like a bodyguard I'd want on retainer. So, none of us fly, but we all just punch and shoot. >> Clint not being here makes this even funnier. But it's perfectly in Yolena's

[08:29] >> Oh my god, we suck. >> Honesty, but then some ingenuity. >> Genius plan, Bobby. self fate sneaks onto screen in little bits here and there, but because of the

[08:42] while for it to really land that he's genuinely struggling, which in and of genuinely struggling, which in and of itself is very real, saving Bob.

[08:54] can do it, whatever that means. But most importantly, he puts himself first. Elena off. Bob lets himself die. And of course, Elena grabs Ghost and saves Bob. You'd think that his worst memory would be murdering the Flag Smasher, but it

[09:08] him. >> Walker. >> Oh, you know, just staring into the to back to back. Go Bears. >> Even for a guy who didn't technically

[09:23] a guy who peaked in high school. >> When I was five, I was in a pee soccer Thunderbolts. One time, this girl, Mindy, she did a pit midfield. The way I Genuinely amazing reimagining for how they land on the name. All for a poop

[09:38] >> No one told me this was non-lethal. >> Well, I'm telling you now, Hol, for Lethal. >> Surprise Andy Belelfflor. He's really disappointed he doesn't get to kill anyone. Dang, you're working on a badass

[09:51] >> You can trust me, Bob. >> Can I? >> I like how she stops to think about it like it was just a knee-jerk reaction. Although I also think that by admitting he can't really trust her, she comes off

[10:04] he can't really trust her, she comes off trustworthy. Tricky widows. trustworthy. Tricky widows. >> Splitkick. there. Got to be rough to be walking right by the person who betrayed you and

[10:19] just have to keep going. >> She's gone. Of course she's gone. >> Hey, get in. >> At every turn, every delay, they all sense. Elena and Walker both lost people

[10:32] to put up walls to protect themselves. It's a team of wannabe lone wolves. >> And identify yourself now, soldiers. >> You are messing with the wrong.

[10:45] no one would ever stay. Ghost's phasing effects are killer. I already talked about it in Ant-Man and the Wasp, but it looks both unique and sort of classic. >> Fire. Fire. >> Valentina can throw down. I'm very here

[10:59] for this. >> Come on, let's go. That's why he did it. waits for Elena's nod. He knows where the leader is. Like that.

[11:13] the leader is. Like that. Oh, abs. flailing adds such a panicky feel. Makes sense since he has no idea what's

[11:25] >> How do you do that? Just keep working at it every day. Never though we know it's worse than he's letting on, at this point it could be that you kind of believe him. >> You know, I don't say it enough, but I

[11:40] am so impressed that in circumstances like this, you can still get me a good >> The joke is obviously that she's so detached and indifferent and also focused on the wrong things. But uh yeah, good coffee is incredibly

[11:54] giving credit where credit is due, especially after this dismissal earlier. >> And I want them there when we arrive. >> Okay. Do you see? Mm- No, the new place. to New York. >> Ah, little hint at what the new place

[12:09] is. >> They don't see it, but all they need is limo, but who in the world expects a limo in the desert? Oh god, limo in the desert? Oh god, >> you

[12:24] so embarrassing. Helpful, but embarrassing. actually knows what he's doing. >> Wow. Compliments. I mean, we'll say anything to jab our parents. And us parents expect and accept it. Also love

[12:37] that Walker appreciates the praise. >> I find it best just to ignore him >> Impressive friends you've assembled. >> We are not friends. here is that Alexi is being a silly fanboy and overestimating his kids'

[12:49] influence and leadership skills. But he's actually 100% correct because, as looking to her as the leader and they are assembled or they will be. is brighter. >> But he got her on that one. Even if she

[13:03] sting a bit because it's caring about people that leads to the wannabe lone wolves getting hurt. >> A team that can bring light from the reluctant smile. >> Bulletproof, huh?

[13:16] >> Resourcefulness. I guess being mistrustful has its benefits. dictionary, it's just this iconic shot of Bucky.

[13:30] >> Correct, Alexi. This is the level of reverence with which you say his name. This whole sequence is so sick and also shows how much Bucky knows how to hero, especially compared to these bozos. Oh, limo. End over end is something else.

[13:43] >> Welcome to the Watchtower. >> MCU fans are stoked to see Avengers the Watchtower shout out. And I'm just trying to figure out if that was key. I'm pretty sure it was >> tower.

[13:59] >> Would you excuse me just for a moment? >> Val is so rarely rattled, but reliving her off her game. >> Wait, wait, wait. I can control it. Great.

[14:12] >> You're all evidence in the impeachment trial against Valentina. be proud. >> I know it's been hard since Olivia left >> Elena is such a sucker for others in pain. And I love it. 3 hours ago, she

[14:26] together and she realizes he's just another blustery dude who doesn't want >> What guy? >> Bob. >> Bob. To be fair, other than the builder,

[14:39] Sponge or Discount Furniture, it's not the most intimidating name. >> Look, I've been where you are, so you can either do something about it now or >> There are a number of things he could be talking about for himself. But either

[14:52] way, coming from Bucky, it lands. >> Yes. >> Enthusiasm. Also, I genuinely love how much he wants to be on a team. Our guy something. You're brought up to believe that there's a good guy and a bad guy,

[15:09] but then eventually you come to realize that there's a bad guy and a worse guy >> Huh. She has a point. But in their universe, the worst thing Steve Rogers My point is that there are good people even in our world. Sometimes it can just

[15:25] worse people. >> And then I have these little widow bite thing >> 45 the long barrel. I always love these all their weapons. >> It's like cool, right? You like it?

[15:39] >> Do you like the hat? >> Yeah, I think the hat's pretty pretty >> And he's being so vulnerable about his gear. I mean, he does still look like the old dude in Up with that hat on. Every time we get these comedic breaks,

[15:51] the action and remember that they can all also mollywob in addition to nailing a punch line. >> Jesus, you guys. I literally just put that drywall in. I left the door unlocked for you. Come up. But never too

[16:03] long before we're reminded Val's here to make us laugh again. Also always a little unnerving when the bad guy just welcomes you in. whistle is perfect. >> I mean, the place wasn't cheap, but it's

[16:18] >> Really enjoy that she's been planning to use the Avengers name and iconography, one way or another. >> We're taking the >> I don't think so. Junior Varsity, Captain America.

[16:30] >> Oh, snap. Shots fired. Who is this old Santa? >> I'm Alexis Shikov, the Red Guardian. >> Gosh, she knows exactly what to say to get under each of their skins. That's

[16:44] to Alexi. >> My great honor to introduce to you the sentry. >> Hey guys. Wow, that's a cool name. the game. >> Robert, they don't think you're good

[16:58] >> That's not true. >> Remember, you can trust me. I know you. >> Woof. It's a threatening line, but it's very clear that Bob isn't saying it as a threat. It's just a fact. >> No one messes with the West Chesapeake

[17:12] Valley Thunderbolts. >> Best war cry ever. Whatever. So, he's Superman, but a tad stronger. Oh, never mind. He's Neo, which is God. Maybe even here. Stopping the bullet seems to surprise even Sentry, but then he flicks

[17:28] Bucky, who is saved by Walker, but they're still slammed into the wall. is just a different level of powerful. Incredible how Sentry just stops trying fighter and gets behind him, but Sentry just stops caring and doesn't have to do

[17:43] just stops caring and doesn't have to do anything. Alexi back is proof that Bob is still in there. That's got to be so deflating. love the drop the knife to the other hand move. His look of annoyance when

[17:58] especially this Warner is one of the just so insanely out of their league, and this is how you show that. Dang it. was deflating. Getting backhanded by your own arm. That's next level. And if

[18:12] Cap's vibranium shield, that's your answer. Probably not. ass beat way worse than mine. >> Yeah. Yeah. I suck. I'm terrible. We're all terrible. We're all losers. >> This makes me want to do the losers,

[18:26] it. But I think the Thunderbolts have even more negative selft talk. >> Ava, you're not a hero. You're not even a good person, >> The script is so good. It doesn't feel so quippy that you don't believe it's

[18:38] it easily adds humor to a really brutal moment, which is kind of like life. >> Alexi, I am not your nichka. >> Um means clever or smart girl. >> Oh, so you're nice now. No, you know you're a piece of trash, Walker. So does

[18:52] >> Jesus. >> Even Walker knows she's crossing the >> But I'm starting to think maybe you don't know what I am. don't know what I am. >> Oh, god damn it. This is so irritating.

[19:04] might be one of the scariest characters in the MCU. >> And again, I believe her. The memory of her dad dying shook her way more. Love Bob. The shadows around him start to

[19:18] bleed down to his body. I'm late, but I'm I'm here now. >> Well, that daddy will rip your soul right out through your tear ducts. Stop.

[19:30] We all have things that we regret. >> I know, but I have so many. accents still making me cry? >> Do you remember why you want to be goalie on your terrible soccer team? You told me I want to be the one everyone

[19:45] can rely on if they make a mistake. Good people. They exist. >> You're stuck. You're alone. You look only at the bed. When I look at you, I don't see your mistakes. That's why we need each other.

[20:00] >> It was. David Harbor apparently excels at the flawed but lovable father a great hug. Even for me, it was impossible to avoid shots of the void and people getting voided. But the buildup to his reveal is still creepy

[20:14] AF. The weird dark smudge left behind is just so haunting. blanks. The bullets aren't just going through or stopping before him. They

[20:29] through or stopping before him. They just don't exist. Lost in a void. meant. Family teamwork. Absolutely killer that they didn't even have to say killer that they didn't even have to say what they should do. They both knew it.

[20:46] They're such underdogs. You love to see them each get a win. And obviously culminating in a teamwork moment is Catnip for me. Always plotting. She's basically the new Loki. >> You're safe, little one.

[21:04] happens so quick, it's startling. I think there's a slow version of voiding that could be really creepy, maybe even scarier. But the little snap voiding, very unsettling. It's peak awful without crossing the line, if that makes sense.

[21:17] into the ground and then their void shadow grows after they're gone. Incredible effects. >> No, no, no. >> Real. Remember that time I said yike cuz Bob's eyes got a little creeptastic?

[21:29] Yeah. The dimmest little glow of each eye is straight up nightmare fuel. [Music] Noticing there's a very conscious choice that Elena is making to close her eyes and breathe throughout this movie. It

[21:41] building and design that you can still see the previous memory through the hole as well as having the snow spill over onto the table. And I know it's, you know, makebelieve, but tell me why I can tell what that

[21:55] would deaf throw up. A quality jump scare is when you know it's coming and illustrating how you can't change the past. Hi. >> The little casual Hey. There's no reason for that to be done in camera, but it

[22:10] sign of good filmmaking. >> What's up? >> Not much. You know, just watching New York disappear into a big maze of interconnected shame rooms. >> A+ line and delivery. Shame rooms. She

[22:23] took the words out of my mouth. >> It's not me. Me. It's it's it's the void. The physical manifestation of your own depression is such an amazing and awful idea. And oh my god, is that

[22:36] ending story. Wonder I never recovered. >> Both very depressing once we find out what this room is. And also that the way he is everyone else. >> Oh,

[22:49] >> the hero, Bobby. >> And now we understand why Bob didn't love Walker calling him Bobby. >> You're making it worse. You've always knowing how much that idea sticks with him.

[23:05] >> Try to get used to it, okay? There's no death here. The pain only gets worse. >> Ah, now I see what the CIA wanted it for. >> What did you see? Are you okay? >> Oh, I'm fine. I have a great pass, so

[23:20] it. >> Here we are. Shane's elite electronic thunderbolts. This is not shame. >> Alexi, continuing to care about which of the locals was the Thunderbolt sponsor really makes me love him even more. Got

[23:33] short-term pseudo bully defend you and just absolutely drop your abusive Sunshine of the Spotless Mind inspiration here, but there's also some ends up being the better comparison once we hit the moment in a bit.

[23:47] we hit the moment in a bit. >> I was on this incredible payoff to his reference in the vault. mission in this movie is where everything was set in motion. The way

[24:02] his eyes blink out like stars. I'm stronger than you. >> Absolute crusher of a pre-fight line. So brave from Bob. So casual from void. A Goldberg spear. Also, the catalyst that pushes Bob over the edge to start

[24:16] in danger. And just like at the vault, it's like he's throwing himself on the sword again so that maybe they can get away, assuming he's a lost cause. Sadly, void that allows him to get that upper hand. Look at his eyes.

[24:36] has this defiant yet victorious melody line that can't break through the and out of key. It's like the musical expression of yearning, reaching out for being able to grasp their hand or, you know, it's good.

[24:49] >> I'm here. You're not alone. >> I never know how much I need to hear that until she says it and my eyes start burning and swallowing becomes especially because yes, she's saying it to Bob.

[25:01] >> We're all alone. All of us. >> But she's also saying it to herself. >> I do love that Walker is the first one to get there after Yolena. this thin restrained. And the solution isn't the usual trust your team or work together

[25:15] lesson. Though, sure, that's in there. But the real message is sometimes you wasn't by trusting them. He was pulled off by their forceful empathy. They all freed themselves to show him he's not alone. Bob didn't need teamwork so much

[25:28] out of his fight with his own trauma manifestation. You know that somebody up high said, "You absolutely have to make sure it is 100% clear that that little for that. >> What happened here? Sorry, I'm I'm just

[25:41] a little I'm a little fuzzy. >> Okay. Are you serious? >> He was mostly on board if it was a bit. >> I don't have backup. I need help. >> I'm going to kill that person. >> Never change, Alexi. Dang, she's good. I

[25:55] should have because my first thought was, "Come on, this is silly. Why would Val ever put herself at this much risk?" Oh, she outsmarted me. She knew exactly way they'd all walk through there. Ladies and gentlemen,

[26:08] meet the new Avengers. >> On opening weekend, my writer heard someone loudly say, "What the f after for many of us before ever watching because of the marketing, at first, most

[26:20] Bob's just going along with it. He's proud of his new friends, and Valentina is just now realizing that Bob is even there. I enjoy that during this next will be stand-ins for people in the audience who are not cool with this. I

[26:34] the team or at Brooks, but I can say it makes neither look great. They seem like convince them to pose like queen, it totally checks out that Alexi would be Freddy. Sorry that he would demand to be Freddy Mercury guinea pig. And dreams

[26:49] really do come true. I will say the beret is absolutely an upgrade for Walker and both Bucky and Ava had hair glow-ups. Two different postredit scenes with two different Alexi facial hairs. Very much hoping we get at least one

[27:01] film titled The New Avengers and Bob. Thunderbolts does a lot of things very right, and it's a bummer that it didn't smash the box office, but we know why it didn't. It's been 8 years and 15 movies since we saw Ghost. Walker was in a show

[27:13] the big screen. And Yolena and Alexi were standouts in Black Widow, but like I said about that movie at the time, it was too late. Almost $400 million isn't a flop, but with a $300 million budget and Disney always wanting a billion, it

[27:25] because while parts of this movie might feel like a downer, it's only because it superhero films. Everyone in this movie has issues. Even Ava, who acts the least trauma. We see all their different

[27:38] past almost comedically. Walker is in denial. Alexi reles his glory days. Bob repeats the words of his abusers. And Yolena stuffs it down. Often superhero greater good. Tony Stark's PTSD got reduced to being overprotective in later

[27:53] grief and trauma, and though they eventually cover it in Wanda Vision, in Endgame. And don't even get me started on Gan Gray. Honestly, I think catch-all for fictional characters because we don't really have an analog

[28:07] corary ends up being some kind of affliction. But that's where Thunderbolts excels. Alexi acknowledges his failures as a father while realistically, he's not fixed in the end. Bucky is still trying to figure out

[28:20] super soldier sleeper assassin. And by parts of himself to affect change, but he's also not fixed. The same goes for doesn't immediately come back because he did a good deed. He's got work to do.

[28:33] who are both dealing with depression, self-doubt, and purposelessness. Leading reflected in Bob helps Elena find empathy and compassion for him and makes her wonder why she struggles to offer that same kindness to herself. Still not

[28:47] fixed. And Bob is pulled out of his void, but everyone knows the void isn't it, but again, not fixed. That's the truth of real people with mental cleanest ending for a superhero story, it's real. And personally, I'd like to

[29:00] see more of that. Next week, an actor in an unexpected role.