Displaying items by tag: Olga Kurylenko

THUNDERBOLTS*

US, 2025, 126 minutes, Colour.

Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen. Olga Kurylenko, Geraldine Viswanathan, Wendell Pearce.

Directed by Jake Schreier.

A recent listing declares that there have been 36 Marvel Studios films over almost 20 years. Thunderbolts*is the latest and seems to have appealed at the box office.

The Marvel Studios superhero team has been The Avengers – their working together to save civilisation, a number of back stories and further developments. So, the question: who are the Thunderbolts? This is not an action story showing them working together. Rather, it is their origin story of their moving to work together. In fact, the characters have appeared in a variety of Marvel films, as well as in the S*H*I*E*L*D television series. Several of them have appeared in the Captain America films or in the Antman films.

So, who are they now and what is the mission? (And an indication to audiences who rush out during the credits, there is a longer than usual post-credits sequence indicating the future.)

First to be introduced is Yelena, a strong presence with Florence Pugh. She is an assassin, getting tired of her work, controlled by a political mastermind, Valentina. Julia Louis Dreyfus was Veep, but here she is even more powerful, facing the Senate enquiry, masterminding laboratories for developing weapons and reconditioning human beings. Clearly, Julia Louis Dreyfus is thoroughly enjoying this sinister and commanding role.

Then there is return of Bucky Barnes, Sebastian Stan, familiar from the Captain America films, here seen in a political context, confronting Valentina. Then we are reintroduced to Alexi Shostakov, David Harbour, prominent former Russian agent, now down on his luck driving taxis. There is Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) who can appear and disappear through walls, from the Antman films. And, again from Captain America, a possible Captain, John Walker, Wyatt Russell, supremely self-assured.

Then there is Bob, a reconditioned human, Lewis Pullman. He is a mysterious presence, lacklustre one minute, energised the next, – and the character from Marvel comics, The Sentry.

The first part of the action shows each of these characters in action, but, with Valentina’s sinister plans, a great deal of conflict and fighting with each other. When they eventually do begin to understand each other, see how they are being controlled by Valentina, and the concern about Bob, they join to become an active force, building up to an action-packed confrontation.

In many ways, this group consists of a rather unprepossessing lot. Anti-heroes? Not many superpowers, rather relying on determination, intelligence, physical force, available weapons. And, by and large, they don’t radiate immediate charm! So, it will be interesting, as well as a challenge, to move into their next film, working together as a unit, assertive, and, with the*in the title, moving towards being new avengers.

The director, Jake Schreier, has, up till now, had a strong career in music videos and television series.

1. Marvel Studios, the Thunderbolts comics, this film as the New Avengers introduction rather than a thunderbolts adventure?
2. Marvel Studios and superheroes, action adventure, futuristic, the New York setting, destruction of New York, Washington, the variety of centres and experimentation, signs? Special effects? Musical score? Theme song?
3. The range of characters, the introduction to each, their interactions, Bob as the common bond, Valentina, politics, impeachment, hearings, her control, experiments, budget, setting the base for New Avengers films?
4. The introduction to Yelena, assassinations, controlled by Valentina, top of the building, falling, Parachute? Getting out from assassinations? The encounter with Alexi, the taxis, his squalid situation, his past career, the apartment, costumes? Relationship with you Lena, her dead sister?
5. Audience knowledge of Bucky Barnes, Winter Soldier, the past films, in politics, the interview, concern about Valentina? The socials?
6. John Walker, here character but yet,, his family, the possibility in the past of his being Capt America? His role in the team?
7. Ghost, her presence, personality, contribution, less a member of the team?
8. Bob, the comic character, simple, affable, his past, ambitions, the transformation, his becoming the Sentry/Floyd? Participation with the group, the influence of Valentina, is mixed experiences, dangerous, affable? The resolution?
9. Valentina, the influence of her assistant, advice, yet prepared to betray her? The political background, the Senate enquiries and interrogations, her influence, control, plans?
10. The building up of the new team, not so much with superpowers, the contrast with the Avengers, the final action sequences, CGI, stunt work, battles, the team winning, the role of Bob, the defeat of Valentina?

CHIEF OF STATION

US, 2024, 97 minutes, Colour.

Aaron Eckhart, Olga Kurylenko, Alex Pettyfer, Chris Petrovski, Nick Maureen, Daniel Bernhardt, James Faulkner.

Directed by Jesse V. Johnson.

Chief of Station is an easily enjoyable espionage thriller, 21^st-century style. He has quite some exotic settings, especially in Hungary as well as Croatia and, of course, in Washington DC.

In more recent years, Aaron Eckhart has been acting in films like this, for instance, The Bricklayer. And he has a reliable supporting cast including Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer.

A great deal of intrigue, a marriage, seeming betrayal, and assassination, from Russia, Eastern Europe, and the threat to the hero’s son.

And, some twists, and an exposure of a friend as a villain.

Seen many times but, of course, easily enjoyable.

1. 21^st-century espionage, the CIA, Eastern Europe? Clashes between East and West? Russian intervention?
2. The locations, the atmosphere of Budapest, Hungary, Washington DC? The musical score?
3. The credibility of the plot, espionage and international plots, greed, betrayal is?
4. Ben Malloy, his experience, his status in Eastern Europe, CIA? The relationship with his wife, the wedding anniversary, the dinner, the bomb, her death? The relationship with his wife, her work, not communicating details with her husband?
5. The return to Washington, the deputy chief and relationships with him? His work, information about his wife and her death?
6. The return to Hungary, work with his colleagues, John Branko as a longtime friend?
7. His son, IT expert, his relationship, living in Croatia, the plan for the meeting in Paris, his being abducted?
8. Evgeny, the clashes in the past, tongue in cheek friendship and collaboration? The thugs? The fights? Information about his wife? The attack on Malloy, Evgeny, the assassins?
9. John Branko, saving Malloy, the boat, the truth, torture, abduction of his son?
10. The role of Christine, a character, information, working with his wife? Interventions, helping?
11. The laptop, the information, the bribes, Malloy’s wife having the information about Branko and the official? The deputy director?
12. Nick, the kidnapping, the trade?
13. The buildup to the confrontation, and the expose?