'Thunderbolts*' Brings Introspection Back to the MCU

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The Cinematic Schematic

The Cinematropolis

245 episodes

1 week ago

The Cinematic Schematic is a multi-segment podcast dedicated to thoughtful, analysis-driven conversations on genre, independent and classic films from thecinematropolis.com. Hosted by Caleb Masters, Laron Chapman, and a rotating cast of filmmakers, critics, and special guests, this podcast takes you through some of the most prominent themes and conversations occurring in cinema each month.

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'Thunderbolts*' Brings Introspection Back to the MCU

The Cinematic Schematic

2 hours 8 minutes 7 seconds

6 months ago

'Thunderbolts*' Brings Introspection Back to the MCU

After years of boycotting Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) reviews, The Cinematic Schematic returns for an in-depth review of Thunderbolts*.

With the X-ception of last summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine, the mega-franchise lost the attention of this podcast somewhere after the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever conversation. This was fueled by two reasons–the quality of the movies became middling, and the hosts demanded the X-Men to no avail.

Now that the X-dessert is officially ending, Thunderbolts* is back on the menu!

The 36th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the 14th since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, brings several characters subplots from previous TV shows and movies together for the final film of Phase V. The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova(previously introduced in Black Widow), Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes(MCU staple), Wyatt Russell as John Walker(previously introduced in Falcon and the Winter Solider), David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian(introduced in Black Window), Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost(Introduced in Antman and the Wasp), Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine(introduced in Black Widow, spotted in several cameos).

Does this ragtag band of knock-off Avengers stand a chance against increasingly jaded comic book movie audiences?

Check out the conversation, including a cameo from an unexpected guest, for our verdicts today.

The Unlikely C-listers Unite

It’s the first MCU review in years* and it brought together the unlikeliest band of Oklahoma’s unsung film critics. Hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman are joined...