MOVIE: Thunderbolts* (2025)

by benmweilertNo Comments
Thunderbolts* Year: 2025 Rating: PG-13 Length: 127 minutes / 2.12 hours The problem with a movie like Thunderbolts* (2025) isn’t necessarily that it feels like yet another reboot of Suicide Squad (2016) but that there are already so many of the heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that have hardly had any meaningful character development so why are we now collecting these semi-villains to fill an obvious gap left by the disbanding of the original Avengers after Endgame (2019)? Sure, it’s fun and the group of anti-heroes shows promise, but it doesn’t quite telegraph a purpose in the larger MCU (similar to how Eternals (2021) kinda went nowhere). I will give Thunderbolts* some credit: it does a good job of highlighting the mental health struggles of these second-string quasi-heroes who have checkered pasts. The last time we had anything close to this was Tony Stark’s PTSD in Iron Man 3 (2013). And with the introduction of another powerful hero who has dangerous side effects...
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MOVIE: Suicide Squad (2016)

by benmweilertNo Comments
Suicide Squad Year: 2016 Rating: PG-13 Length: 123 minutes / 2.05 hours Perhaps the most controversial film of this summer, Suicide Squad (2016) tells a story that is necessary to highlight the eventual superhero team of the Justice League (2017). While I am aware of the real-life drama surrounding the film, including Jared Leto's method acting, director David Ayer's uncouth comments, and the fandom's revulsion of its negative critical reception, I will try and give an unbiased review here. After all, sometimes the greatest art can stand apart from the artists who create it. Decades from now, most will have forgotten the controversy, resorting to Wikipedia for a reminder. In the realm of superhero films, the motif has always been a dichotomy of extremes. Good vs. evil. In reality, things aren't nearly as clear-cut as this. Sure, there are those who do wrong and those who do right, but each side will have their own motivations. What Suicide Squad does is break down the stereotype of the...
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