Thunderbolts* (2025) Review

Title: Thunderbolts*
Year: 2025
Director: Jack Shreier
Country: US
Language: English

Thunderbolts* markets itself as the antidote to superhero fatigue - but it assembles itself very much like Earth's Mightiest Heroes meets Suicide Squad. Here we have a bunch of defective losers who team up to take on a threat bigger than themselves. It would be predictable cookie-cutter stuff if not for the fact the film is far more about their humanity & dealing with emotional turmoil; rather than set-pieces, visual spectacle and action. Rarely does Hollywood tackle such themes in such and honest and humanistic way. 

After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must go on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

My biggest let-down from Avengers: Endgame was how they treated Thor's (Chris Hemsworth) mental health struggles as a joke. The character was clearly struggling with PTSD, and binge-eating to cope as a result - yet anytime he interacted with another character it was to be a joke at his own expense. Thunderbolts* has some humor -  but it grapples mental health issues in a very serious way. It's a pretty heavy film that deals with suicidal impulses; and overcoming overwhelming shame; but it still manages to be an immersive entertaining film that challenges your pre-conceptions regarding mental illness. 

Cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo, gives the picture an intimacy and naturalness that is absent from most of Marvel films. The score by avant-garde band Son Lu, gives the film a strong soulful presence that will stick with you throughout its run-time. The film's pacing and editing is appropriate for its tone. Though it deals with distressing themes; the film never feels like it slows to a crawl or lingers in one place for too long. 

Thunderbolts* is refreshing; a change of pace from Marvel's over-the-top absurd fares in the last few years. This makes me feel like Marvel can get past its rough post-Endgame lull and give us emotionally complex films that lead up to a big Avengers-like event. 

Superman (2025) Review

Title: Superman
Year: 2025
Director: James Gunn
Country: US
Language: English

First and foremost; I hated Man of Steel and Justice League - and I'm including the Zach Snyder cut. I thought Henry Cavill was a decent actor for the role of Superman, but the writing & directing really ruined the character. Christopher Reeve made Superman an inconic mythical figure that stood for hope and justice; whereas Snyder's Superman was a crying emotional mess that didn't really stand for anything. Thankfully James Gunn is a competent director who has reintroduced a sense of joy, hope, and optimism to the character. This is Superman. 

In this entry, Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.

Superman has an intriguing premise; how would the hero's unshakable morality fit into our politically intense world? In the film Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) questions our hero as to why he intervened in another country. She confronts him with the complex geo-political bureaucracy - and he can't help but see things in black-and-white, "People were going to die!". It's a different take on the a character, adding a lot of depth to a genre that rarely goes so deep. 

The relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman feels very grounded in realism; both actors have great chemistry and the stakes in their relationship feel very tense. Gunn does a great job at giving each side character a good amount of emotional depth. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) is the definition of a hater; I appreciated that he was an actual despicable villain & I wanted to see Superman defeat him in the end. Too many films nowadays make the bad guy cool; Luthor is just a pathetic hater. 

Despite the themes and relationships being very grounded, Gunn's Superman often deviates from reality and embraces the unorthodox. That part is a little hard to get into without spoiling some of the plot. I did also appreciate the unique cinematography - by Henry Braham. Many of the shots do a great job at enhancing Superman's mythical stature. Overall I was very happy with this entry. 

Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Review

Title: Fantastic Four
Year: 2025
Director: Matt Shakman
Country: US
Language: English

The Fantastic Four first debuted in Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four #1 in 1961. The group, who gained their superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during a space mission, were created in response to DC comics' incredibly popular Justice League of America. To date, more than 150 million Fantastic Four comic books have been sold, with the first comic going for 1.5 million dollars at auction. Hollywood has tried to capitalize on this team, but with little critical success. Roger Corman's adaptation was dated, even for its time. The 2005 & 2007 adaptations made a lot of money ($500 million combined) but received negative press. The 2015 reboot was neither a critical or commercial success. Hopefully Fantastic Four: First Steps will be a step in the right direction. 

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.

Fantastic Four doesn't waste time on exposition, and dives into the film's story with precision, narrative drive, and a clear vision for what its end-goal is. This entry is far more focused on exploring personalities - and complex areas of morality, rather than glamorizing their superpowers. Reed - smartest man on Earth - feels a tremendous amount of frustration and inadequacy. 

The film's production design, by Kasra Farahani, is a Jetson's esque retro-futuristic style that evokes creativity and wonderment. This by itself would make Fantastic Four standout amongst every other Marvel movie. The 1960s-style split-screen montages and faux archival footage, in addition to its impressive editing, also add to the film's remarkable style. 

I suppose my main negative criticism of Fantastic Four is that its very much style over substance. It does introduce some depth to our characters, but ultimately I don't think it goes as deep as say, Thunderbolts (2025) was able to accomplish. This is a film that is certainly a visual spectacle, but much of the plot elements are questionable. Depending on your view of the ongoing situation, Fantastic Four can come off as selfish jerks. 

It isn't the best superhero to come out this year - or even this month (see Superman)- but Fantastic Four is a decent escapist movie that is certainly worthy of seeing once on the big screen. I appreciated that this film did something a little different with the material.