A One Mann’s Movies review of “Thunder Force” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
The world has been irradiated and psychopaths have been transformed into super-villains – “miscreants” – wreaking havoc in the world. When the parents of Emily Stanton (Octavia Spencer) get killed by a miscreant, she makes it her life’s mission to transform regular people into superheroes to combat the miscreants. Her focus drives a wedge between her and her childhood friend Lydia Berman (Melissa McCarthy). Now grown up and on the verge of victory, a lab mix-up (who’d have thought it!) turns both Emily and Lydia into superheroes. The duo form a Chicago team of superheroes called Thunder Force. But although Lydia has great power, she has little responsibility!
Catching the bus, but letting it go. Octavia Spencer and Melissa McCarthy ss Thunderforce. (Source: Netflix)
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy, Jason Bateman, Bobby Cannavale, Melissa Leo.
Directed by: Ben Falcone.
Written by: Ben Falcone.
Not quite as empathetic as in “Guardians of the Galaxy“. Pom Klementieff as miscreant “Laser”. (Source: Netflix).
“Thunder Force” Review:
Positives:
- I laughed three times:
- Jason Bateman’s “Crab-man” talking about his ironic star-sign;
- Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy’s love-making scene: the most innovative use of butter since “Last Tango in Paris”!
- The duo struggling to get in and out of their Lamborghini supercar: purely because it looks just like me these days trying to get in and out of my wife’s Mazda MX5!
Jason Bateman (left) as the crab-man. Raising the (very) odd laugh. With dodgy politician “The King” (Bobby Cannavale). (Source: Netflix)
Negatives:
- It singularly fails my “six laughs” test for a comedy. The script by Ben Falcone – McCarthy’s husband – is just eye-rollingly unfunny. The pair must have laughed themselves silly over their own jokes. It’s just a shame that their sense of humour diverges so wildly from mine (or indeed anyones?)
- Melissa McCarthy must be an acquired taste – one I’ve never acquired. “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” proves what a class act she can be…. but this does her reputation no good at all.
- It’s criminal to have actors of the quality of Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman and Melissa Leo and use them in such a poor way. Bateman is actually the funniest turn in the piece, but that’s not saying much.
The charismatic Taylor Mosby (left) plays Emily’s daughter Tracy. Poorly served in her CV by this stuff. (Source: Netflix).
Summary Thoughts on “Thunder Force”:
There are some movies that you just wish had been drowned at birth. This is one. I normally don’t regret spending two hours watching a movie, but this one felt like wasted time. With “Twist” I thought I might have found my worst film of the year. But no, there’s a new contender in town.
Trailer:
The trailer for “Thunder Force” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnx6-YLXFwg .
