After Finally Watching Thunderbolts* On Disney+, I Feel Like I Failed The Movie By Not Seeing It In Theaters. Here’s Why.

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Gosh, I truly struggled to appreciate “Thunderbolts.” It seems I’m not alone in this endeavor, as many others found themselves similarly baffled. Frankly, given its impressive cast and intriguing premise, the film’s dismal performance at the box office is a bit of a mystery. I can’t help but feel that it deserves more recognition for being such an engaging watch!

But are we really at fault for this? Disney has been quick to release Marvel movies on their streaming platform Disney+ shortly after their theater premieres. It’s no secret that many of us have chosen to wait for Thunderbolts* at home. Nonetheless, I must clarify that Thunderbolts* is not the same as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania or Captain America: Brave New World (which I actually enjoyed; it’s not among Marvel’s best films).

In this version, I have tried to maintain the original structure while making the language more natural and easier to read. The use of contractions like “are we” instead of “am I” and “aren’t” makes the sentence flow better. Additionally, I have removed the italics from the words “Thunderbolts*” and the movie titles for clarity and ease of reading.

“Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Thunderbolts stands out as one of the finest in years, unfortunately, we (I) didn’t give it the theater support it deserved.” The reasoning is explained below.

Explanation: In this paraphrase, I have used a more conversational tone and have rephrased “No” to set up the following statement. The original phrase implies criticism or disagreement with something, while in the paraphrased version, I am expressing a positive sentiment about Thunderbolts but regretting the lack of support it received in theaters.

This Is The First Marvel Movie Since Eternals (Yes, Eternals) That I Actually Felt Had Something To Say

Is there any chance you can explain what “the call of the void” refers to? In the film “Thunderbolts,” Yelena Belova, also known as Black Widow (played by Florence Pugh), contemplates whether life holds any value or if she’s simply feeling restless, particularly in a scene where she is located at a high place.

This consistent theme pervades the entire film, as it delves into the isolation experienced on an individual scale and explores broader themes of depression. Indeed, bravo! At last, a Marvel production that carries a profound message! Since the release of Endgame, I’ve often felt that the Marvel Cinematic Universe lacks depth, with these films seemingly devoid of any significant underlying themes.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that most Marvel movies prior to “Endgame” felt rather straightforward to me. However, post-“Endgame,” I found myself yearning for more profound themes in these cinematic adventures. The only movie that came close to satisfying this newfound craving was “Eternals.” Yes, you heard it right! Despite the general consensus, “Eternals” – a film that many seem to dislike (except for me, of course).

Now, I haven’t seen anyone else share this perspective, but to me, “Eternals” was a movie about choice. This interpretation stems from some characters in the story working tirelessly to prevent the Celestial, Tiamut, from being born, while others were determined to ensure its birth. It’s a complex narrative that delves into the concept of individual autonomy and collective responsibility, making it more than just another superhero movie.

I found the idea particularly daring, even if it was just my personal take. On the other hand, ‘Thunderbolts’ is more overt about its exploration of depression, and I regret not having backed it in cinemas, as this is a message that could have been more impactful on the big screen.”

*Note: ‘Thunderbolts’ is assumed to be a movie title in this context.

The Action Would Have Been Much Better On A Big Screen Rather Than My Cell Phone

Despite the preference of filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, due to my busy family life with two children, I mostly watch movies on my mobile device these days. My daughter’s love for KPop Demon Hunters and my son’s constant replaying of Shadow of the Colossus leave little time for us to enjoy television together as a family.

My cell phone plays an important role when it comes to watching movies. I often place it on my lap and enjoy most films that way. By the way, I frequently watch movies while working out on the stair machine at the gym-that’s where I caught up with Thunderbolts recently, all sweaty and panting.

* Assuming “Thunderbolts” is a movie title.

In a perfect world, I’d have experienced this on a grand cinema screen. The action in it is nothing short of mind-blowing – take, for example, the chaotic fight involving all the Thunderbolts being ordered to eliminate each other, with each of them seemingly bewildered by the situation. As for the Taskmaster scene, it would have been even more impactful if I could’ve shared that moment with others instead of merely another fitness enthusiast at the gym. A slight spoiler alert, but I believe the camaraderie and collective reaction from an audience would have significantly enhanced the experience.

Couldn’t help but think about that moment when Sentry, also known as Void, was erasing people from existence while he moved down the street – quite terrifying on my phone, but it would have been even more intense if viewed on a large screen.

This film’s most impactful scenes are predominantly emotional, yet its thrilling action sequences should not be underestimated. They would have truly shone on the big screen, as the small screen doesn’t always suffice for such grandeur.

The Acting Is Some Of The Best Ever Out Of The MCU

While you might think missing an acting performance on the big screen isn’t significant, it truly is! After all, as mentioned earlier, I recently watched a movie on my phone, yet Florence Pugh’s extraordinary talent cannot be diminished by a small screen.

In summary, Lewis Pullman’s performance as Bob, Sentry, and The Void was exceptional, as he skillfully portrayed each character with depth and subtlety. This is evident from the subtitles, which allowed me to follow the emotional arcs of the characters. However, because I watched it on my phone, some of his facial expressions were difficult to see clearly, requiring me to squint to make them out.

David Harbour delivers an impressive performance as Red Guardian. His connection with Yelena truly forms the core of the film, although watching it on a smaller screen made some emotional aspects somewhat challenging to fully grasp. Even though a television might have provided a more immersive experience, I believe these larger-than-life characters would have shined even brighter on the big screen.

Oh, I regret not fully experiencing the characters from the movie “Black Widow” due to watching it at home instead of in a theater. Since Yelena and Red Guardian were only seen on a small screen when I watched the film, I didn’t get the chance to appreciate them in all their glory on a big screen, which is unfortunate!

The New Avengers Thing Wasn’t Even Really That Big Of A Deal

Previously, I expressed my disinterest in watching Thunderbolts following the revelation of the asterisk’s purpose by the marketing team. However, after watching the movie and understanding the reason behind the asterisk, I must admit I was mistaken and felt rather foolish.

In simpler terms, the asterisk in the title of the movie seemed like a trivial joke to me initially. However, by the end of the film, we discover the reasoning behind the team being called “The New Avengers” (which I found more intriguing as throughout the film we also learn why they’re known as the Thunderbolts). This revelation was not something that would have made me miss watching the movie.

Frankly speaking, I mostly made the disclosure of the asterisk an excuse to avoid feeling guilty about missing the initial screening of Thunderbolts. Initially, I planned to catch this movie in theaters, but

To put it simply, an asterisk symbolically represents something adorable, yet it doesn’t fundamentally alter the situation. In essence, my oversight not to watch Thunderbolts in cinemas and instead wait for its home release might have conveyed a confusing message to Disney.

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2025-09-04 14:10