Marvel's Thunderbolts* proves a hit at box office

Marvel and Disney have released a new movie called Thunderbolts, and it has quickly become a success at the box office. The film has earned an impressive $162 million internationally, and both companies are hoping that it will start a new series of films. Thunderbolts focuses on a group of lesser-known superheroes who must confront both human and superhuman threats while also dealing with their own personal struggles. The film features a star-studded cast, including Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena Belva, and Sebastian Stan, who takes on another leading role. Other notable actors in the film include Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Harbour. While not all critics have given the film glowing reviews, it has resonated well with superhero fans, achieving a remarkable 95 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The characters in Thunderbolts are portrayed as dysfunctional outsiders who unite to become heroes. The film's cast includes Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, and David Harbour, and it has received the third-highest audience score for a Marvel film, tying with Spider-Man: Far From Home. It falls behind only Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, some critics have been less enthusiastic about the film. They have pointed out that it lacks vibrancy, both in its visual presentation and in the themes it explores. Serious topics such as suicide, depression, and domestic violence are addressed, but some critics feel that these issues are not always handled with the sensitivity they deserve. One critic awarded the film three stars, noting that while it is the best Marvel offering since WandaVision, it often feels superficial in its treatment of heavy themes. They praised Florence Pugh for her ability to convey sincerity in a script that lacks depth. On a more positive note, another critic rated the film four stars, calling it the best Marvel movie in years. They remarked that Thunderbolts feels distinct from previous entries in the franchise, as it appears to be genuinely self-aware. This self-awareness could make it the ultimate Marvel film for the time being. Audience fatigue regarding Marvel films is a real concern for the studio, which has been attempting to shift away from the main characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the release of Avengers: Endgame in 2019. This may explain why Thunderbolts features characters that have not been in the spotlight as much, potentially paving the way for a new direction for Marvel.