Atanaria
Netflix’s Thunder Force promises a superhero comedy packed with action, laughs, and Melissa McCarthy’s signature charm. But does it deliver a knockout punch, or does it fumble its powers like a clumsy caped crusader? Let’s suit up and find out!
Super Strength Meets Super Science
In an alternate Earth where cosmic rays give only sociopaths superpowers (because why not?), society is plagued by “Miscreants,” a crew of super-powered baddies wreaking havoc. Enter Emily Stanton (Octavia Spencer), a brilliant scientist determined to stop them after losing her parents to their chaos. Meanwhile, her childhood best friend Lydia (Melissa McCarthy) is more of an underachiever, happy with her dock job and simple life. The two drift apart as kids but reunite years later when Lydia, in classic McCarthy-style clumsiness, accidentally injects herself with a serum meant to create superheroes. Voila! Super strength unlocked! Emily then completes her own (far less painful) treatment and gains invisibility. The duo teams up as Thunder Force, hoping to take down the Miscreants—assuming they can figure out how to get out of their own car first.
More Chuckles Than Belly Laughs
Given McCarthy’s presence, you’d expect Thunder Force to be a laugh riot, but the humor lands more in the “mildly amusing” category than the “rolling on the floor” one. Sure, there are some genuinely funny moments—Jason Bateman’s half-crab, half-human villain (aptly named “The Crab”) scuttles away with most of the comedic gold. His sideways shuffle alone is enough to bring a grin. The chemistry between McCarthy and Spencer is solid, but the comedy often leans too much on McCarthy’s usual schtick rather than finding fresh, inventive gags.
Surprisingly Decent!
For a comedy, the superhero effects are surprisingly well done. The action sequences deliver some genuine spectacle, making it feel more like a superhero flick with jokes rather than a straight-up comedy. Watching Lydia toss cars like they’re made of cardboard and Emily pulling off stealthy invisible maneuvers is undeniably fun. The film does take itself a bit more seriously than expected—probably too seriously at times. When you’re dealing with a movie where the main villain is a crab man, you kind of expect things to be a little more self-aware.
Not Quite Super, But Still Fun
Thunder Force isn’t the most laugh-out-loud comedy, nor is it the most gripping superhero story, but it sits comfortably in the middle, delivering a fun, if slightly forgettable, experience. If you’re a McCarthy fan or just want a lighthearted superhero film that doesn’t demand too much brainpower, it’s a decent pick. Just don’t expect it to be the Thor: Ragnarok of Netflix comedies.
