The Movie Guru: ‘Thunderbolts*’ best MCU movie in years, while ‘Another Simple Favor’ soapy fun

Thunderbolts* (in theaters)

It’s been years since an MCU movie made me choke up with emotion.

Amazingly, “Thunderbolts*” changed all that. This ragtag group of misfits come together in a way even the Avengers never really managed, leading to one of the most tender, emotional movies the MCU has ever made. It’s also funny, exciting, and surprising in a way the MCU hasn’t been in a long time, with a story actually driven by the characters instead of some sort of long-term plot mechanism. For the first time in a long time, I remember why I used to enjoy MCU movies so much.

“Thunderbolts*” focuses on a collection of disreputable characters, including Yelena (a former Red Room assassin and Black Widow’s sister), John Walker (who was briefly Captain America until he killed someone innocent), and Ghost (a science project turned criminal). When their boss tries to kill them to cover up evidence, the three must team up with friends and enemies to stop a dangerous situation. Along the way, they might even figure out what it means to be a hero.

This is really Yelena’s movie, so it will help to have seen 2021’s “Black Widow.” Even if you haven’t, though, Florence Pugh (Yelena) and David Harbour (Red Guardian) both do an excellent job as two very damaged people learning how to be a family. Lewis Pullman is also fantastic as Bob, a mysterious figure the group runs into who may have been part of a dangerous science experiment.

Support Local Journalism

Donate

Together, they make the MCU team I’ve been waiting for.

(One note for comic book fans: Though Taskmaster is included in all the promotional materials, it’s a cheat. The character dies almost immediately after being introduced and is no way significant to the team or movie. If you don’t know the character it’s not an issue, but it’s my one disappointment with the film.)

Grade: Three and a half stars

Another Simple Favor (Prime)

If you’ve missed soap operas in your life, then “Another Simple Favor” is the movie for you.

Paul Feig’s sequel to 2018’s “A Simple Favor” amps the original’s twistiness and camp up to 11, bringing it fully into soap opera territory. There’s some fun in the absurdity, just like there is in any good soap opera, but the turns get so ridiculous it actually cuts back on some of the original’s thrills. Luckily the chemistry between leads Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively is still as strong as ever, keeping the movie entertaining no matter how nonsensical it gets. Add in beautiful Italian scenery and some delightful supporting performances, and you have a movie that’s always watchable even when it isn’t good.

Set a few years after the original, Stephanie (Kendrick) has written a book about the events of the first film. Emily (Lively) has just gotten out of prison, and invites Stephanie to her wedding in Italy. Stephanie knows her former friend must have a scheme cooking, but she agrees to go hoping to get more content for another book. Wherever Emily is, murder and danger are never far behind.

Kendrick has an excellent sense of comic timing, and Lively brings enough campy charisma to pull off the enormous hats Emily wears. Allison Janney is the biggest scene-stealer of the supporting cast, playing Emily’s long-lost aunt and fellow schemer. Henry Golding is also fun as Emily’s ex, who came out of the last movie far less well than either Stephanie or Emily.

The results are frothy nonsense, but when you’re craving a good soap opera that’s exactly what you need.

Grade: Two and a half stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Denver Film Critics Society. Drop her a line at themovieguruslc@gmail.com.