T he proverbial crunch time has arrived for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In almost exactly one year, the franchise is hoping to absolutely dominate all other subject matter in p

The answer, of course, is that “Thunderbolts” has no more indie cred than “Avatar.” What it is, though, is the best Marvel movie in years. “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,

Despite a clunky plot and odd pacing, the cast of Thunderbolts* is a reminder of how the MCU can still surprise and delight.