The Marvel Cinematic Universe has revved its chainsaws and brought out its sledgehammers – it's crunch time! Another 12 months from now, the plan is to engulf the pop culture landscape with the latest delicious slice from the Avengers saga. Of course, it doesn't mean they have the liberty to lull their way till the climax, especially after Captain America: Brave New World unwrapped a lacklustre feast earlier this February. Carry that torch now falls to director Jake Schreier’s recent brainchild - Thunderbolts*.

Enter on stage - Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, and a power-packed ensemble in an adrenaline-fueled adventure. Yes, it could have been more generous with its character arcs, and a lot chattier with its plots at certain junctures. But here's the big reveal - it delivers an enthralling balance of character charm, delightful themes, and isn't shy of taking a stand or two. It’s not the silver magic pill to lift off all doubts of the comic-based universe, but it does shake things up more than the recent Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania, or the aforementioned superhero tale.

Starting with a bang, we see CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, excellently played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, on the hot seat with an impeachment trial in the brewing. As political turmoil threatens to consume her, we see her pulling all kinds of strings, hiring mercenary knights to do her dirty deeds. One such war chess move is to get all loose cannons like Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster to knock each other off. Yes, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, but hey, underdogs do have their day!

However, Thunderbolts* stumbles by bagging the opportunity to properly showcase all these colourful characters. It clearly shows favouritism, casting some characters like Ghost and Taskmaster to the winds. Even with sarcastic U.S. Agent, or the charismatic Bucky Barnes and the humorous Alexei Shostakov, we're left wanting more.

But fret not, Yelena Belova, the veteran Black Widow associate, steps up to the plate and steals the show, battling her inner demons, and finally finding comfort in her interaction with the mysterious Bob. Without spoiling too much, it’s the chemistry between them that unravels the film’s sociopolitical theme, creating a resonating narrative - during dire times, we must cling to the light of life, find purpose, express our emotions and celebrate the bond of community.

What complements this emotional ride is a dazzling menu of action sequences and precision choreography that could make top chefs envious! Credit where due, Jake Schreier does a fantastic job for a first-time blockbuster director. The action may not be as diverse given the characters' 'punch and shoot' abilities, but it more than compensates with its captivating settings and high stakes.

In conclusion, Thunderbolts* may not reignite the glorious phases of Marvel Cinematic Universe's glory days, but it does manage to wipe out certain blemishes left by its immediate predecessors. It's not the smoothest ride, but it does carry its own charm and sets a promising path towards the next Avengers adventure and upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps. Just sit back, fasten your seatbelts, and let Thunderbolts* take you on an engaging, action-packed ride!