I watched Thunderbolts…
There is so much I could say, but mostly I just want to say thank you… I’ve missed my Marvel days… this universe has been there on many very bad days when I needed it & this fandom has meant so much to me throughout my lifetime; but this movie was the first one in a while that felt like that which I loved & missed so much. Like not only the artistry, creativity, & magic of artists in their element; ideas inspiring ideas (Florence doing her own stunts🤩) & switching from CGI to realises just cause. And the amount of thought into the details (giving plenty to nerd out over and squeal about in fangirl as we inevitably rewatch), even the costuming grew on me (it made sense for the characters). But also being a new story with a life of its own (not a remake or “cookie cutter best seller”) nor cut off from that of before, more like something that was meant to happen and be the next step.
And help me take those next steps in my own life, grief, ptsd, and therapy journey (as fictional stories are a great way to live it out).
The mental health & grief representation was so excruciatingly well-done… at times so painful to watch I almost thought they went too far, but at the end of the day I think it was the grit they needed. It is messy & imperfect, and painful & raw, but real… very real. (While still having the wit, humor, levity, depth, & range of emotions Marvel is known to write so well) and bringing it in the midst of well-choreographed fight scenes, character arcs, flawed heroes & heroic villains.
And of course, the stand out (to surprise no one as Yelena has always been a favorite for me and positive representation) but this brought it to another level… the way they did grief representation, ptsd, guilt & shame & regret, depression & mental illness… all the way to found family. Friends becoming a part of something more. It had all the big, hard feelings. And she was the hero I needed today & going forward.
Not to mention some great Bucky Barnes moments (that answered more of the questions I've been asking about him in politics😂). A new fan favorite in Bob! Some possible ships, and definite FRIENDships. More time with Ava. Some fantastic quote (not to mention FOUR ;-) looking forward to as we go forward! And what I'm sure is going to be some great easter eggs to read up on!
… Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go do just that!🫶
… And you can consider this ALSO a Thunderbolts (YELENA BELOVA) fan page now — okay it was always that (I’ll always love the MCU) BUT STILL!
👏👏👏
