“Thunderbolts,” about a group of MCU rejects who band together after CIA director Valentine Allegra de Fontaine ( Julia Louis-Dreyfus ) tries to erase them and their covert program, is both a return to form for Marvel and something a little different. While there’s plenty of franchise building going on, “Thunderbolts” is pleasantly standalone.

At this stage in the game, what Marvel Cinematic Universe fans really need from the latest blockbuster is a reminder of what made them fall in love with the franchise to begin with: a fun adventure, engaging and charismatic heroes,