Thunderbolts* (in theaters)

It’s been years since an MCU movie made me choke up with emotion.

Amazingly, “Thunderbolts*” changed all that. This ragtag group of misfits come together in a way even the Avengers never really managed, leading to one of the most tender, emotional movies the MCU has ever made. It’s also funny, exciting, and surprising in a way the MCU hasn’t been in a long time, with a story actually driven by the characters instead of some sort of long-term plot mechanism. For the first time in a long time, I remember why I used to enjoy MCU movies so much.

“Thunderbolts*” focuses on a collection of disreputable characters, including Yelena (a former Red Room assassin and Black Widow’s sister), John Walker (who was briefly Captain America until he killed someone innocent), and Ghost (a science project turned criminal.) When their boss tries to kill them to cover up evidence, the three must team up with friends and enemies to stop a dangerous situation. Along the way, they might even figure out what it means to be a hero.

This is really Yelena’s movie, so it will help to have seen 2021’s “Black Widow.” Even if you haven’t, though, Florence Pugh (Yelena) and David Harbour (Red Guardian) both do an excellent job as two very damaged people learning how to be a family. Lewis Pullman is also fantastic as Bob, a mysterious figure the group runs into who may have been part of a dangerous science experiment.

Together, they make the MCU team I’ve been waiting for.

(One note for comic book fans: Though Taskmaster is included in all the promotional materials, it’s a cheat. The character dies almost immediately after being introduced and is no way significant to the team or movie. If you don’t know the character it’s not an issue, but it’s my one disappointment with the film.)

Grade: Three and a half stars

The Hating Game (Netflix)

When it comes to romance movies, chemistry between the leads is vital. If the movie is bad, or just boring, good chemistry can make it still watchable. If a movie is solid, good chemistry can turn it into a delight.

Thankfully, the two leads of “The Hating Game” have exactly the right kind of chemistry. The plot may be heavy on contrivances and light on buildup, but the spark between Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell’s characters keeps you interested. It adds credence to an emotional connection between them, and makes sexy times just a little bit sexier. No matter how many ridiculous misunderstandings happen, you can’t help wanting these two to work out.

The two star as rivals in the same publishing company who have very different approaches to life. They’re both sure they can’t stand each other, which means it catches them by surprise when fixation starts turning into attraction. As they battle over a potential promotion, the duo have to decide whether their relationship is real or just another game.

The movie lets itself be steamier than a lot of modern romances, particularly outside of strictly defined sex scenes. It never pushes past its R rating, but the physicality adds weight to the transition between animosity and romance. It also makes their growing emotional connection feel that much sweeter, with both parts of the relationship giving the other more depth. Hale and Stowell both do an excellent job selling their half of the story, turning their natural chemistry into something special.

In the end, isn’t that what romance is really all about?

Grade: Three stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Utah Film Critics Association. Drop her a line at [email protected].