Back in 2022, when director Jake Schreier was working on "Beef," which would go on to become a critical darling and win eight Emmys, he had an afterschool project - pitching on a new Marvel Studios movie.

Thankfully, "Thunderbolts*" reminds of the early, go-for-broke days of the MCU with a crew of lovable characters – David Harbour is the gift that keeps on giving as ex-Soviet super-soldier Red Guardian – and a meaningful narrative that leans on the superpowers of friendship and empathy.

Thunderbolts” is both a return to form for Marvel and something a little different for the superhero factory, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review.